New-York tribune., 1910-12-11
The Bo1ted Door
Continued from page II

fSIdercdI She had longing 70 tooA up a.
him, an irresistible curiosity winch amounted
almost to a craving to learn what she could
read in his face: but she only buried ner
head deeper in her arms and set her lips
more tightly together. She heard him go
on speaking slowly, kindly, almost patron
izingly.
LAS to your sudden change of plans,
| Natalie dear, must refer you to Mrs Gerry
Schuyler She's good friend OF yours, 1Sr1
she2 She fully aware OF Mrs Kemp
| tons plans and my own. Perhaps 1t was Tor
tunate that we made such an early start
that morning, or that | went over TOR Abby
in the Vas-y.'
THE Vas-yl" she cried, starting up
'"Of course, Child. The Vas-y. 1t shorter
across the harbor by half an hour
| But she turned away and would not look
at him. "And the breakfast;
| He laughed She was my guest; your
guest, if you like. We had breakfasted to-
gether before we rode You didn't mind
then.
"No; that was beforc-we-yOu
$50 was the day before yesterday before
that, you must remember" he said softly
Il have been very lonely in New York,
Dear. There were times when Abby Kemp
ton was the only thing between me and des-
peration. She is the best friend | have, the
best friend you have. She sent me here to
find you-tO-night-"
''Abbyl How could she know
"'She guessed it. 1t was what she might
have done, she said. Don't you really I'm
derstand?"
she was still resOlutely turned away from
~ him. He stopped suddenly and straight
ened as he realized that perhaps there were
other things in her mind that weighed against
him. For the moment the more important
business of clearing up their own differences
had made him forget the other doubts that
had all day been raging in his mind He now
remembered the straits to which she was
reduced and the little he would have 10 offer
her. Her persistent 1rnpasslbility made him
suddenly cold with fear, which gave his voice
a chill note of sublectiOn.
"Of course | don't wish to recall anything
unpleasant or to place you IN 4 false position
with yourself or with me. There viii be a {
little money left, enough to provide for you
comfortably in a quiet way. Perhaps 1t
would suit your plans better to have that
sum set aside for your own use, 50 that you {
could go alone somewhere and have YOUR S
own independence. In that case, Of course, 7
| shall not bother you further. | had
tBrOOkei" She had risen, her cheeks
afarne, and now put her fingers over his lips q
to keep the words from coming forth. He
caught her in his arms and held her close 70 S
him, holding her head up 50 she could read [
what she wished IN his eyes. 2
You won't mind being poor? he whis- [
pered. b
No, no, no. What does it natter?"
Thank God for that" he gasped.
." Did you think 50 little of me-" s.
- l feared-it has been d dreadful day a
feared everything. l have known you only G.
since Sunday, Natalie" a
- Don't think of 1t again Nothing mat
ers but this. 1t is 500 very sweet. l was II
90 afraid 1t was never to be again. Oh B
Brooke. l have suffered 50. You do not "
NOW what | have suffered | have been Ii
l did not know what I OF
lid Poor Abby. l can never look her IN II
he face again" She held him away from her 50
nd scrutinized him again. And you say TO
,arol Schuyler knew Are YOU sure2 th
Yes, he laughed. She was up with a ha
lck child and saw Abby go down 10 meet
le." p7
That blessed child. I'm sorry it was
ck; but there never was such an Ill wind to tn
low such d good"