The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1910-09-15
CHAPTER XIX.

sicroom when Tom was admitted, with
Ardea at the piano playing war songs
for the pleasuring of her grandfather
and the ex-artilleryman. Under cover
of the music. Tom slipped into the cir
Gle of listeners and went to sit beside
his mother There was a courteous
hand wave of welcome from Major
Dabney, but Miss Euphrasia seemed
not to see him. He saw and under
stood. and was obstinately impervioJs
to the chilling east wind in that quar-
ter.
Ardea fingered lovingly on the clos
ing harmonies of a nocturne, and
when the final chord was struck her
hands fingered on the keys until the
sweet voices of the strings had sung
themselves afar into the higher sound
heaven. Then she turned quickly and
surprised her anesthetiZed audience.
You poor thingsi" she laughed. In
another five minutes the last one OF
you have succumbed. Why didn't some
body stop met"
The iron-master said something
about the heavy work OF the day, and
helped his wife to her feet. The Major
came awake with a start and bestirred
himself Hospitality, and Miss Euphrasia
rose to speed the parting guests-or
rather. the two of them who had been
invited In the drift down the wide
han Ardea fell behind with Tom. whom
Cousin Euphrasia continued to ignore
II came to tell you." he said. In a
low tone, snatching his opportunity. Il
can't sleep until l have fought 1t out
with YOU"
You don't deserve a hearing, even
from your best friend" was her dis
couraging reply; but when they were
ut the door she gave him a formal re-
prieve. Il shall walk for a few min
utes on the portico to rest my nerves"
she said. If you want to come la *
-"
He thanked her gravely, and went
obediently when his mother called to
him from the steps. But on the Wood
lawn veranda he excused himself. and
when the door closed behind the two
In-going, he swiftly recrossed the lawns
TO pay the penalty.
The front door OF the manor house
was shut and the broad, pillared porti-
CO was untenanted. He sat down in
one of the rustic chairs. The door
opened and closed and Ardea stood be-
fore him. She had thrown a wrap
over her shoulders. and the light from
the music room windows Illuminated
her. There was cool scorn in the slate
blue eyes, but in Toms thought she
had never appeared more unutterably
beautiful and desirable-and unattain-
able.
II have come" she said. In a tone
indifference. What have you to say
for yourself?"
I'm afraid 1 haven't left myself
much to say" he began. penitently. Il
was born foolish. and 1t seems that /
haven't outgrown it But. really. IL you
could know"
"Unhappily. 1 do know" she inter-
rupted IF did not. I might listen to
you with better patience"
TT did look pretty bad" he confess
ed. And that's what 1 wanted to say:
It looked a great deal worse than II
was. you know"
81 am bound to believe what 1 see
with my own eyes," she rejoined per
haps you can make 1t appear that see
ing Is not believing"
"Of course 1 can't IL you take that
attitude" he complained. And then he
said irritably: You talk about friend
ship! You don't know the meaning OF
the world"
IF l didn't, i should hardly be here
at this moment" she suggested. You
don't seem to apprehend to what de-
grading depths you have sunk"
His sins in the business field rose
before him accusingly and prompted
his reply.
Yes. do; but that is another mat
ter. We were speaking of what you
saw this evening. Will you let me try
to explain?"
Yes, If you will tell the plain truth
Lacking imagination, can't do any
thing else. Nan has had a falling out
with the old scamp OF a moonshiner
who calls himself her father She came
to me for help. and broke down In the
midst of telling me about 1T. 1 can't
stand a womans crying any better than
other men,"
And that was all-absolutely all
Tom?"
II don't lie-to you" he said briefly
She gave hiro her hand with an in
pulsive return to the old comradeship
Il believe you. Tom, in the face OF al
the-the unlikeliness. But please don
try me again. After what has happen
sd" she stopped In Difference to some
thing in his eyes, half anger. half be-
wilderment or a most skillful simula-
ton Of both.
Go on" ne said; tell me what has
happened. seem to have missed
something"
NO." she said, with sudden gravity
don't want to be your accuser OF
your confessor: and If you should trS
TO preFaTicate, I should hate you'll"
There is nothing for me TO confess
to you, Ardea," he said soberly. sul
holding the hand she had given him
You have known the worst of me, al
Says and all along. think"
Yes, 1 have known" she replied
r@aing the imprisoned hand and turn