Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-22
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it had lost none Of Its grace. But on
his face was the dull flush that results
from the strain of enthusiasm, of over
work. He looked tagged out, and his
eyes were restless, though they glow
ed with steadiness Of purpose. One
thing, however, impressed her more
than anything else-his demeanor to-
ward Broderick. There was within it
not particle of that confidential con-
cession that Broderfck seemed ever
ready to offer. On the contrary, it
suggested suspicious watchfulness.
Murgatroyd resembled jealous task
master who had set himself over
paid but uncertain servant.
And Broderick-once did Broderick
turn his head so that Shirley might
see his face. Broderick's face, glance,
his whole being, indicated the cunning
of the man. He was treachery person
fled, at least SO he appeared to Shir-
ley, and she told herself as she studied
him that any one could see that he was
hoodwinking the man opposite him.
"Murgatroyd was being fooled!"
There was no doubt about 1t. Murga-
troyd's air of feverish endeavor, of ex-
penditure Of energy, confirmed it. With
Miriam's thousands he had paid for
something that had not been delivered.
Broderick had taken the money-every
dollar of it-of that Shirley was thor
oughly convinced.
After awhile feeling OF contempt
for his failure gave way to wave Of
pity. What right had she to judge
him at all? What manner Of woman
was she that she should set herself up
to determine whether his lesson was
deservedly bitter or not and what
should be his punishment? money SO
got will never do him any good" Mir
lam had said after the scene in the
courtroom, and how true her words
had proved! And then in turn her feel
ing of compassion was succeeded by
! one Of gladness. She was not little
surprised to find herself fervently wish
ing that Broderick had robbed him of
every dollar, but later on her cheeks
burned furiously when an honest in
trospection disclosed to her the real
motive Of this desire. For, after all,
what If Murgaroyd would come to her
and say:
II have sinned, and I have lost. Be
merciful to me, miserable sinner"
| What If some day he should come to
her free Of all hypocrisy, stripped Of
all save truth, beaten man-what
then? Well, she felt unutterably lone
all, he had helped her friend by set
ting her husband free.
! .
A few days later. dressed in light
mourning, Shirley Bloodgood for the
second time in her life wendell her
way to certain tenement house not
for from the East river.
Surely l cannot be mistaken-this
must be the place." she told herself,
grooming in spirit.
Toner little girl directed her to the
apartment above, the door Of which
was presently opened by a woman
with full, rounded face, and, entering
neat, well furnished five room fiat,
Shirley was soon seated at the win
dow chatting with happy eagerness.
The young woman with the full,
fresh, rounded face, it can readily be
imagined. was Miriam Challoner.
you've been away more than three
years, Shirley" sighed Miriam as she
bent over bit of fancy work.
cit hasn't seemed so long to me-" re-
turned Shirley, though when we first
went west l thought 1t would be
nothing short of nightmare-wait-
ing for an old man to die.''
1T must have been," assented Mir
lam.
mo, it wasn't, because for the first
time in my life really came to know
my father. / thought l had known
him long before, but made a mis-
take. never knew him until these
last three years in Arizona. i found
out almost too late"
II always liked your father, Shirley,
and I think he always liked me-" was
Miriam's remark.
Yes. he did. But did you ever stop
to think" went on Shirley hastily
., r. my father never wronged any
My father was good-my IA
ther was honest! Oh, could scourge
myself" she declared sadly. for the
things l used to think about father.
even told Murgatroyd once that.
| though / loved nv father conld
never admire him, respect him"
Miriam rose suddenly and kissed her.
| All this time Shirley had been watch
ing with growing curiosity the fancy
work on which Miriam sewed so In
dustriously. At last she ventured:
Miriam, I'm! regular old maid.
haven't been one hour in your house
and already I'm burning up with curios-
ity to know just what you're making?''
Miriam Challoner hesitated for an
instant; then, holding up in the air a
/, tiny infants dress, she said softly:
well, If you must know, why, you
must"
| Shirley exclaimed: isn't it dainty I?
Who is it for. Miriam?"
Miriam looked squarely into the
eyes of her friend. The next moment
Shirley had her arms about Miriam
and cried joyfully:
"You precious thing! I'm SO glad!
Why didn't you say SO before?"
"rm just a bit old fashioned, I'm
afraid murmured Miriam. Now
| adayS it's the thing to make such an