The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-10-06
CHAPTER xx1I.-(Continued).


sat up and pushed the papers away
when his son entered.
Have you seen this morning IT'D
une2" asked Tom, taking the paper
from his pocket
NO: 1 don't make out to find much
time for 1t before 1 get home o nights"
said Caleb. Anything doin'?"
Yes: they are having hot time in
Chicago and Pullman The strike is
spreading all over the country on SYM
patty lines"
Reckon it'll get down to in any
way?" Queried the iron-master.
You can't tell I'd be a little easy
with Ludlow and his outfit on that
wage scale. II l were you. We don't
want row on our hands just now.
Farley might make capital out of It"
Tom took an electric car for the foot
OF Lebanon, on the line connecting with
the inclined railway running up the
mountain to Crestcliffe Inn. He had
not seen Ardea since the midwinter
night of soul-awakenings; and Alecto's
finger was still pressing on the wound
inflicted by the closed doors Of Noun
tain View avenue and his fathers dis
directed sympathy.
He found Major Dabney on the hotel
veranda. and his welcome not
scanted here, at least The moment
being suspicious, Tom sounded the
master Of the Deer Trace coal lands on
the reorganization scheme. and found
nothing but complaisance. Whatever
Encouragement commended itself to
Tom and his father. and to Colonel
Duxbury Farley, would be acceptable
TO the Major
Il reckon I can trust you, Tom. and
my vey good friend. youh fatheh. TO
watch out for Ardea's little fo'tune."
was the way he put it. Il had planned
to give her a little surprise on her
weddingday suppose you have the
1awyehs make out that block of new
stock to Mistress Vincent Farley in
stead Of to me?'
"Of course, Major Dabney. II you say
so. But wouldn't it be more prudent
to make it over in trust for her and
her children before she becomes Mrs.
Farley?"
Tell me. Tom, have you had youh
suspicious in that qua'teh. too? I'm
speaking in confidence to a family
friend. suh-''
1T is just as well to be on the safe
side" said Tom. evasively There was
enough of the uplift left to make him
iciuCtdAl 10 SbIihe HIS eneIly III tile
dark.
NO. sun. that isn't what I mean
You've had youh suspicious aroused.
Tell me. sub. what they are"
Suppose you tell me yours, Major
smiled the younger man.
Major DaLney became refectively
reminiscent. Il don't know. Tom. and
that's the plain fact Looking back
.oveh cub acquaintance, thah's nothing
in that young man for me to put fin
geh on; but. Tom. l tell you in conf
dence, sub, I'd give five yeahs of my
old life, If the good Lord has that many
mo- in His book for me. IL the blood
of the Dabneys didn't have to be-uh-
mingled with that of these heah Yam
KEGS. 1 would. for fact. suh-'
Then you'll let ME place your third
OF the new stock in trust for her and
her children?" he said. That will be
best. on all accounts. BY the way.
where shall 1 find Miss Ardea?"
she's about the place. somewhahs.'
was the reply; and Tom passed on 10
the archaeological lobby to send his
card in search OF her.
Chance saved him the trouble. Some
one was playing in the MUSHROOM and
he recognized her touch and turned
aside TO stand under the looped Dor
there's. She was alone. and again, as
many times before, 1t came on him with
the sense OF discovery that she was
radiantly beautiful-that for him she
had no peer among women. There
was no greeting. no welcoming light In
the slate-blue eyes; and she did not
seem to see when he came nearer and
offered to shake hands.
apva haeu talking In vorr c-rap S$ath
er for an hour or more" he began. "and
I was just going to send my card after
you. Haven't you word OF welcome
for me. Ardea pc
DO you think you deserve a welcom.
from any self-respecting woman?" she
asked. in low tones
why shouldn't II" he demanded
what have I done to make every
woman 1 meet look at me as IL 1 were
O leper?'
You know very well what you have
DONE" she said evenly. IF you had a
spark of manhood left in you. You
would know what a dastardly thing YOU
are doing now In coming here to see
me-"
well. don't" he returned, logged
ly. And another thing: I'm not to he
put off with hard words. / ask Won
again WHAT has happened. VINO has
been lying about me this timer"
You were intending to walk down 10
the valley?" she asked
He nodded
II will walk with you to the cliff
edge"
1t was a short hundred yards, and
there were many abroad in the grav-
eled walks: lovers in pairs, and groups
OF young people pensive or chattering
So 1t WIS not until they stood on the
very battlements OF the western cliff
that they were measurably alone
Has 10 one told you what happen
ed last March-on the day of the ice
storm" she asked. coldly.
NO"
ct used to think I knew you" she
said. fei.ering. but don't Why don't
you espiss hypocrisy and d0uble-dsal-
ing as yor. used tor"
Il CO: more heartily than ever"
tom, it Is a terrible thing to say
and your punishment will be terrible
But you must marry Nancy"
He was standing on the brink Of the
cliff. looking down on Paradise Valley
spread like a silver etched may faI
below in the moonlight. The flare and
sough of the furnace at the fron-works
came and went with regular intermit-
tency; and just beyond the group oil
Chiawasses stacks tiny orange spo,
appeared and disappeared like a will
o'-the-wisp. He was staring down al
the curious spot when he said:
IF I say that I have no duty toward
Nan, you will believe II is lie-as
you did once before. Have you ever
reflected that it is possible to trample
on love until it dies-even such love as
bear you?"
1T is a shame for you to speak O
such things to me, Tom. Consider
what / have endured-what you have
made me endure. People said / was
standing by you. condoning a sin tina
no right-minded young woman should
condone. L bore it because I thought
] believed. you were sorry. And a.
that very time you were deceiving m;
-deceiving every one You have drag