The Red Cloud chief., 1909-08-05

what pangs Of shame and misery
begged expressionD how her heart
had been stirred when she had found
him Jas she thoughD true to his tryst;
even as she recalled the agony and dis
tress OF mind with which she had a
moment later fathomed Anisty's i'm.
personation.
For, of course, she had known that
Maitland was Maitland and none other
from the instant when he told her to
make good her escape and leave him
to brazen II out: n task to daunt even
as bold and resourceful n criminal as
Anlsty, and more especially II he were
called upon to don the mask at min
ute's notice, as Maitland had pre-.
tended to. Or, II she had not actually
known. she had been led to suspect;
and II had hardly needed what she had
heard him say to the servants, when
he thought her flying hotfoot over the
lawn to safety. to harden suspicion
into certainty.
And now that he should find her
here, second time trespasser,
doubly an ingrate--that he should
have caught her red.handed in this
abominably ungrateful treachcry! She
could pretend, of course, that she had
returned merely to restore the Jewels
and the cigarette case; and he would
believe her, for he was generous. She
could. but-she could not. Not now.
Yesterday, the excitement had buoyed
her; she had gained piquant enjoy.
ment from befooling him. playing her
part OF the amateur cracksman In this
little comedy of the stolen jewels. But
therein lay the difference: yesterday
II had been comedy. but today-ah!
to-day she could no longer laugh. For
now she cared.
A little lie would clear her--yes.
But II was not to be cleared that she
now so passionately desired; It was
to have him believe in her, even
against tho evidence of his senses,
even In the face of the worlds con-
dcmnation; and to prove that he, too,
cared-cared for her as his attitude
toward her had taught her to care.
Ever since leaving him In the dawn
she had fed her starved heart with the
hope, faint hope though It were, that
he would come to care little, that he
would not utterly despise her, that he
would understand and forgive, when
he learned why she had played out
her part, nor believe that she was the
embodiment of all that was ignoble.
coarse, and crude; that he would show
a little faith in her, little faith
that like flickering taper might light
the way for-love.
But that hope was now dead within
| her, and cold. She had but to look
| at him to see how groundless It had
| been, how utterly unmoved he was by
| her distress. He waited patiently
that was all-seeming so very tall
pillar OF righteous strength, distin-
guished and at ease in his evening
clothes: waiting patient but cold dis
passionate and disdainful
II am waiting, you see. Might sug.
gest that we have not all week for
our-our mutual differences?"
His tone was altogether changed;
she would hardly have known IL for his
voice. It's incisive, clipped accents
|
She summoned the reserve OF her
strength, stood erect, unsupported, and
moved forward without word. He
stood aside, holding the lamp high,
and followed her. lighting the way
down the hall to the study.
| Once there, she sank quivering into
a chair, while he proceeded gravely to
the desk, put down the lamp-super-
fiuous now, the gas having been
lghted-and after a moments thought
faced her, with contemptuous smile
and lift of his shoulders, thrusting
hands deep into his pockets.
"Well?" he demanded. cuttingly.
She made a little motion of her
hands, begging for time; and, assent.
ing with short nod, he took a turn
up and down the room, then distracted.
ly reached up and turned out the gas
when you are quite composed
should enjoy hearing your statement"
"I-have none to make"
"So!"-with his back to the lamp,
towering over and depressing her
with the sense of his strength and self.
control. THAT is very odd, isn't IT."
II have no-no explanation to give
that would satisfy you, or myself"
she said, brokenly. Il don't care
what you think" with flicker Of de-
fiance. Believe the worst and-and
do what you will-have me arrested"
He laughed sardonically. "Oh, we
won't go so far as that, l guess; harsh
measures, such as arrest and impris-
onment, are 80 unsatisfactory to all
concerned. But l am interested to
know why you are here"
Her breathing seemed very loud In
the pause; she kept her lips tight,
fearing to speak lest she lose her mas.
terry of self. And hysteria threatened;
the fluttering in her bosom warned
her. She must be very careful very
restrained, If she were to avert that
browning misfortune.
Il don't think | quite understand
YOU" he continued, musingly; surely