The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-06-10
But he is noble fellow in his 70

But ne 10 noble FELLOW IN his 70
way.
Whom We begin to make excuses to
our conscience, we may be sure that, if
not wrong, something is not exactly right.
1t was these evenings after the lights
came on and the curtains shut out the
world that Brent Lawrence enjoyed most,
and thought of most in after years when
it was all over.
To Elba the man , conversation about
things and people she had known and
enjoyed was like reading the second time
book partially forgotten. But page
was slowly but surely unfolding
which she had never read before. For
the first time she was reading the old,
old story. Old but ever new. Uncon-
sciously the, two were drifting nearer and
nearer the danger line beyond which
lay ruin worse than DEATH
Brent Lawrence had pardonably
good opinion Of his intellectual powers
and scholarly attainments consequently
was little surprised to find woman
and that woman the wife Of an uncul-
tured miner, who could measure lances
with him in discussion as skillfully az
many men. Boldly she stepped out on
classic ground, following where he led,
Sustaining herself where the majority Of
her sex would have found themselves be-
wildered.
When in the seclusion Of his room he
would review the incidents past, what
surprised him most was the strange SEN
sation experienced when in her presence.
The interest found in her most trivial
remark. He had always enjoyed music
and was familiar with the best but never
had it stirred his blood and quickened his
pulses as did her voice mingling with the
notes Of the instrument in the parlors Of
that mountain home. He had always adj
mired beauty Thorough man Of the
world, he had mingled with every type,
from the dreamy eyed Creole with her be-
witching smiles and shrugs and charming
accent to the pale proud Northern
blonde reminding one Of sunlight on a
glacier. He had flirted with flower fac
ed English maidens BY the hawthorn Of
their native hedges. Had talked sweet
nonsense to the velvety eyed beauties Of.
voluptuous France. Had returned with
interest the languishing glances Of fair
Andalusians and sung love ditties under
their balconies with all the fervor Of their
countrymen. Had even looked into the
eyes Of the yelled beauties of the harem
Lastly had bowed at the shrine Of beauty
among our own true, sweet American
girls. fairer than whom none can be
found. Yet never had woman cast such
4 q spell over him, as had this miner Is wife
with her shadowy brown eyes, crown Of
golden hair and winning manner. Per
haps he was ignorant Of the danger into
which he was drifting, again he might
have been playing with fire for the amuse-
A ment that was in it.
The rain had ceased The sun was out
in all its splendor after an absence Of
five days. There was no longer an excuse
for Brent Lawrence remaining in the
miners home. He stood on the steps
with his gloves in his hand. The house
hold was there to tell him goodbye. The
miner was to take him over to the sta
tion in the trap.
He had kissed Blossom, had patted
Braves sleek head, Had shaken Jocko's
skinny paw and stood with the woman 3
slender fingers clasped in his own. He
stood on the step below her bringing her
/ face on a level with his. His blue eyes
were looking searchingly into the brown
ones. He was wondering if it was hard
for her to say goodbye.
Her voice was steady, her features
composed. She met his gaze fearlessly
"Goodbye, Mr.. Lawrence. We have
certainly enjoyed your enforced visit and
will entertain the hope of seeing you
again, in the near future, unless in the
constant whirl of business and pleasure
you entirely forget your mountain
friends.
"Thank you. do not forget easily. .
Unconsciously, his fingers frightened about
hers. He said nothing more. What could
he sayi Looking into the sweet face, in
nocent as that of her own baby girl he
knew there was nothing more to say. He
could not tell her that he was wishing
that he might be able to forget He
dropped her hand and walked toward the
gate where the miner was talking will
one of the men who had just arrived
from the direction of the mines.
Ono go today, pard." Mr.. Sanders
turned, with a smile to his guest You
are in for another day, SO you'd as well
make the best of it,
elbows thatan Mr.. Lawrence ad
vanced toward the two men. His heart
beginning to beat rapidly.
"Why, thought we could make il
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