Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-14
- MARI NObfKIT RINEfaART ~

men stood to let her pass, save Sum.
van, who sat crouched in. his chair,
his face buried in his hands.
Mcknight saw her, with Mrs. Dali
las. to their carriage and came back
again. The gathering in the Office
was breaking up: Johnson had slipped
away as unostentatiously as he came.
Sullivan, looking worn and old, was
standing by the window, staring at
the broken necklace in his hand
When he saw me watching him, he
put it back on the desk and picked
up his hat.
eff / cannot do anything more"
he hesitated.
II think you, have done about
enough" replied, grimly, and he
went out
believe that Richey and Hotchkiss
led me somewhere to dinner and that,
for fear would be lonely without
him, they sent for Johnson. And l
recall a spirited discussion in which
Hotchkiss told the detective that he
could manage certain cases, but that
he lacked induction. Richey and /
~.
would slip ahead to that hour, later in
the evening, when should see Alison
again.
I dressed in savage haste finally
and was so particular about my tie
that Mrs. Klopton gave up in despair.
81 wish, until your arm is better,
that you would buy the kind that
hooks on" she protested. almost tear
fully. I'm sure they look very nice,
Mr. Lawrence. My late husband al
ways"
That's lovers knot you've tied
this time snarled, and. jerking open
the bow knot she had so painfully ex-
ecuted, looked out Of the window for
Johnson-untl I recalled that he no
longer belonged in my perspective. /
ended by driving frantically to the
club and getting George to do it.
Twas late. of course. The drawing
room and library at the Dallas coun-
try home was very empty. could hear
billiard balls rolling somewhere and
turned the other way, found Ali
son at last on the balcony, sitting
much as she had that night on the
beach-her chin in her hands, her
eyes fixed unseeingly on the trees and
lights of the square across. She was
even whistling q little, softly. But
this time the plaintiveness was gone.
It was a tender little tune. She did
not move, as stood beside her, look
ing down. And now, when the mo-
ment had come, all the thousand and
one things had been waiting to say
forsook me, precipitately beat re.
treat and left me unsupported. The
arc-moon sent little fugitive lights
over her hair, her eyes, her gown.
"Don't-do that" said unsteadily
"You-you know what want to do
when you whistle!"
She glanced up at me and she did
not stop. She did not stop! She
went on whistlins softly, bit tremu.
lousy. And straightway forgot the
street, the chance Of passers-by. the
voices in the house behind US. "The
world doesn't hold anyone but you "
said, reverently. cit is our world.
sweetheart. l love you."
And kissed her.
A boy was whistIing on the pave
ment below. / let her go reluctantly
and sat back where could see her.
81 haven't done this the way in.
tended to at ALL" confessed. I'm
books they get things all settled and
then kiss the lady"
t.settled?" she inquired.
"oh, about getting married and
that sort Of thing" explained with
elaborate carelessness. "We-could
go down to Bermuda-or-or Jam2i-
ca, say in December"
She drew her hand away and faced
me squarely.
IT believe you are afraid" she de-
clared. II refuse to marry you unless
you propose properly. Everybody
does it. And 1t is q woman's privi-
lege: she wants to have that to look
back to-"
very WELL" consented with an
exaggerated sigh. 'If you will prom
Use not to think look like an idiot,
I shall do it, knee and all"
had to pass her to close the door
behind us, but when I kissed her
again she protested that we were not
really engaged.
l turned to look down at her. ''It
Is terrible thing" said, exultantly,
ito love girl the way love you and
to have only one arm!" Then closed
the door.
From across the street there came
q sharp crescendo whistle and q
vaguely familiar figure separated It.
self from the park railing.
Say" he called, in q hoarse whis-
.per. shall / throw the key down the
elevator shaft?"
THE END.
Explained.
Husband (readfng newspaper ac-