The Cairo bulletin., 1910-05-03
In THE ROOM BEYOND.

Ellon, VINO nad just eHttFtu tHt
parlor of the Briarside Inn, shivered
as though cold wind had come out
OF the summer night and struck him.
Its been worse than that he de-
clared. After the Zelaya went
down. | drifted on piece of plank
ing to the funniest isle in the Pa.
ciiic. And I've been drifting ever
since. ugh.'
Ganley began to pace the rich,
thick carpet why didn't YOU write?
Why the deuce didn't You write."
he almost screamed.
Elton looked mp quickly. WHAT
the row. he demanded. why
should YOU snap al u shipwrecAet
man like that?"
ooh. nothing" answered Ganley
with a sigh. He dropped into one oi
the luxurious leather chairs and GOV.
cred his drawn face with his hands
In the adjoining parlor, gil began
the most plaintlye air upon the ggand
piano.
You see the fortunes of William
Lawrence Elton went with the le
laya down. down to the mermaids
and cuttlefish and the rotted dere.
licts Of the forgotten age" explained
Elton, MY bonds, papers. the Eltol
jewels, everything went in the swiri
and the gurgle after the sinking ship
| didn't get back to civilization uni8
after nine months of dickering anC
fussing and fighting with the greas
lest, dirtiest, tiercest people OF those
greasy. dirty, fierce seas. After
got back, thought maybe I'd better
wait. There was Lois, you know
Young Ganley, his face still buried
in his hands, groaned; while the CIR
at the piano changed her chords te
lithesome trill Of springtime
Il thought I'd see how the CIR.
would take it," continued Elton. ny
absence and everything. But what's
the matter with you, anyhow? Aren''
you glad TO see a fellow"
Il don't know answered Ganley
suddenly.
you don't know" repeated Elton
Well, you're frank about it.. How:
Lois? understand she's here
Ganley arose and started for the
adjoining room, then halted. Lois il
well-and happy" he announced.
"Happy?" asked Elton, with /
frown
Perfectly so--but now"--Ganle,
left the other to guess the rest.
Elton nodded Il see. She has
found balm in the eyes of otheI
men"
Ganley nodded. She was deeply
grieved. | thought she would no
get over it, But Lois is young"
From the parlor adjoining can't
lullaby chords, the soothing charming
strains of the time of going-to-bed
Elton looked keenly at Ganley. "Anc
you're the man. he declared, viii
emphasis
Il thought you dead" explained
Ganley at was not until months
after"
Elton was moodly silent for sew
eral dragging moments. Does she
love your he demanded
Absolutely" said Ganley. Nor,
han she ever did you-or woult
again. She is older, and she has SUI
fered"
The two men sat In gloomy silence
for five full minutes Come. sale
Ganley, finally, I'll take you 20 ner.
Elton did not move, Il don't know,
he said. 4 don't like to be stalk
ing ghost of the past"
Tut, tut scolded Ganley. Conn
on-let her choose"
Elton started up, then dropped
back. No" he declared, 4 won
wreck her life twice.
Ganley sat down irresolutely ant
the minutes licked by The gran,
piano rendered stormy, passionate
thunderous.
| III tell you, SAID Elton, pres
emily. Wen leave 1t TO Fate to de
eide for little Lois" He produced
| shining coin.
Ganley shuddered. she ought t
know and choose"
NO" insisted Elton. II blighte
her young life once. But she ha
\ forgotten-an is happy, I've no dc
sire to play the unwelcome specie
and maybe render the three of u
miserable forever; though we'll, 20
know how man loves Lois. Come
| it's Fate!'
Its Fate then" acquiesced Ganle
| sternly. "Heads!"
Elton spun the coin, glittering |
the flicker from the gas jet TIL
golden head of Miss America shove
| uppermost upon the carpet.
You win. announced Elton
"Good-by."
Ganley could not answer. The sol
sweet cadence of Venetian Low
tune came from the room beyond.
| "Goodby," repeated Elton. III
back TO the wreckage and strife an
unloyeiness OF the life that aids
forget" Then he passed into tn
nipht