Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-04-23
Cyy4esa ~ y IL Mcclure csapssy
! cseyright. 1901. lsoS. b. The Ridsway Company

hereQeC mas SdlQ 10 me. i WOulU Duru
my hand from my arm and my arm
from my body rather than trouble her
or brighten her, but l couldn't help
speaking to her any more than can
help wanting to see her again"
He paused, wiping from his brow a
heavy dew, not Of the heat, but like
that on the forehead of a man in cru
seize the opportunity and said gently,
almost timidly:
"But if it should distress the LADY,"
"Yes-then I could keep away. But
/ must know that"
81 think you might know 1t by her
running away-and by her look" 1
said mildly. Didn't your"
'.Now And his eyes flashed an added
emphasis.
''Well, WELL" said. let's be on our
way"
81 don't believe she was distressed"
he went on. There was something,
but it wasn't trouble We looked
straight, at eaclr other. saw her eyes
plainly, and it was"-he paused and
sighed. a sudden, brilliant smile upon
his lips-'it was very-it was very
stranger
There was something 50 glad and
different in his look that, like any 9TH
err dried up old blunderer In my place,
l felt an instant tendency to laugh. 1t
was that heathenish possession, the
old insanity of the risibles, which
makes man think 1t a humorous thing
that his friend should be discovered in
love.
"But IL you were wrong" said, IF
it did trouble her, and if it happened
that she has already had too much
that was distressing in her life
"You know something about hery' he
exclaimed. sYou know
II do not,' interrupted in turn. 81
have only a vague guess. may be
altogether mistaken"
"What is it that you guess?' he de-
manded abruptly. "Who made her
suffer-
II think it was her husband" I said,
with a lack Of discretion for which
was instantly sorry, fearing with rea-
son that had added final blunder
to the long list Of the afternoon-sthat
isl added. "if my guess is right
"Is he alive?" he cried sharply.
81 don't known returned emphatic
ally. Probably am entirely mistaken
in thinking that know anything Of
her whatever. I'd rather not say any
more until do know"
every well,' he said quickly. evil
you tell me them"
''Yes-if you will let it go at that
'Thank you" he said and, with an
impulse which was but too plainly one
of gratitude. offered me his hand. l
took it, and my soul was disquieted
within me, for it was no purpose Of
mine to set inquiries on foot in re-
gard to the affairs Of Nine. dArmand.
It was early dusk. From the court
yard OF the inn came the sounds of
laughter and chattering voices. Be
fore the entrance stood couple of
open touring cars, the chauffeurs en-
gagged in cooling the rear tires with
buckets Of water brought by person
age ordinarily known as Glouglou,
whose look and manner as he perform
ed this Office for the leathern digni-
t :sssr;;ecss sc awed me that l wondered 1
had ever dared address him with any
presumption Of intimacy.
As we turned to enter the archway
we almost ran into tall man who
was coming out, evidently intending
to speak to one Of the drivers.
The stranger stepped back with
word Of apology, and took note Of
him for a fellow countryman and
worldly buck Of fashion indeed.
We were passing him when he ut
tered an ejacuiation Of surprise and
stepped forward again. holding out his
hand to my companion and exclaim-
ing:
Where did you come from? I'd
hardly have known you"
Oliver seemed unconscious Of the
profered hand. He stinened visibly
and said:
II think there must be some mis-.
take"
$50 there is" said the other prompt
". II have been misled by resem-
blance. beg your pardon"
He lifted his cap slightly, going on.
and we entered the courtyard to find
a cheerful party OF nine or ten men
end women seated about q couple OF
.AhleA