Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1910-03-04

how thin she is" he thought Queer
| didn't know her as she crossed the
street. She didn't know me, either,
at the first glance. Wonder what
brought her over here just Now, any
way?''
Have you been i'll, Mr.. Elliott?"
He turned with jerk. Nancy sat,
erect and pale, in the corner of the
hack, composed as a statue. Elliott
felt his face flushing, and he answered
with an absurd stammer:
Understanding but malaria. But
you're not well, MFRS. Elliott?"
Il hope you have recovered your
health entirely. Your being smooth
shaver quite nonplused me for a
moment" she went on, ignoring his
question.
! Nancy leaned back in her seat and
did not speak again. The rain and
wind beat against the carriage. Oc-
casionally Elliott saw her tremble at
a particularly vicious flash of light
ming. During one terrific peal she
dropped her head, half-sickened with
nervous terror, and Elliott felt himself
rising from his seat to clasp and
| SoOthe her.
| Poor little Nance" he thought.
Thunder always did fret her. How
| she used to clutch hold of me when it
stormed-up in that Oxford place den
of ours, Honeymoon hall we used to
call it. Wonder what she'd say if she
knew 1 was going there now, this par
! ticular afternoon. It's FOOLS senti-
mental notion of mine, but as long as
| l was here it seemed to me I'd like to
look at the place."
The storm died away as rapidly as
it had risen. Presently the drivers
grizzled head appeared at the win
dow.
Take you to your address, boss?
The rains stoppin'."
Yes-well, the ladys first" re-
turned Elliott. AS the carriage start
| ed, Nancy raised her head inquiringly.
! please have him take you to your
destination first" she said, hurriedly.
Il am in no haste-it is only an IN
necessary errand"
Certainly" said Elliott, bowling.
Nancy took his word as obeying her
| wishes. She murmured THANK you,"
and sank back in her seat again, turn
ing her eyes away from him.
You are very tired" he ventured,
after long pause. The carriage was
numbering slowly northward, past Du-
| pont circle.
No response.
! Elliott looked out of the window
| patiently for awhile. At last he bent
forward and spoke again. There was
curious vibration in his deep tones
| Il am going to beg your kindness"
he. began, slowly, ito let me speak,
to ask you just one favor, and
that is, your forgiveness for the many
unpleasant hours l have given you,
through what mother justly called my
insane jealousy of my brothers chill
dren. You were as devoted as a
mother could be to them, and should
| have been proud of it, rather than so
| childishly hurt, and so passionately
set on holding all your affection for
| myself. l was an old fool-worse
than a fool-and I most humbly beg
your pardon for it, and for dragging
you into a marriage which has brought
you disappointment and annoyance"
Il never said that" said Nancy,
family. Her face shone white against
the dingy cushions, her lips were set
| in a stern little line.
I'm which you were very consid-
crate. It's year to-day, you know
I'd give ten years of my life to blot
out these last II months for you. But
now I can do nothing-nothing but
beg you to regard me as your friend,
ready to serve you whenever you may
call upon me. Will you not promise
me to let me know if at any time
Nancy sprang forward to the win
dow and pulled at it frantica1ly. The
cab was drawing up before No. 1920
| Oxford place.
why did he bring us here?" she
gasped, painting and trembling. Il
said he was to take us to your ad-
| dress first
But this is mine," cried Elliott,
amazed. II said he was to take us
wherever you wanted to go-Nancy,
you don't mean that you were going
there-to-day?
But Nancy's hands were over her
face, and she had shrunk back into
the corner of the seat again.
Elliott thrust his hands into his
pockets and dragged out bill and a
bunch of keys. He pushed the money
into the claimants hand as that worthy
appeared at the door. Here's your
fare" he cried, in a voice that he
hardly recognized. "And we're much
obliged for the-shelter."
He lifted Nancy from the cab, and
half-carried her up the steps of No.
1920 Oxford place. won't you come
in with me?" he said, under his
breath, as he unlocked the door, "and
see if the house is in good condition
for-renting to bridal coupler" He
drew her inside the big, bare hall, and
as the heavy door swung to he caught
her in his arms for a long minute.
When he put her down her eyes were
wet, too. "And there's room up
stairs-the den, Nancy-would you
like to see if satisfactory?
She was trying bravely through her
tears to carry out the play.
"Oh, Julian, there's nothing in this
house." she whispered, nothing but
bare walls-and marriage on friend
ship!"
Eyes, there is" he retorted, rudely.
Don't you dare contradict me,
madam! You and Love. Can 1 want
I. more?"
= Nancy dropped her head against
his big shoulder. eff you're going
to intimidate me, Julian" she whis-
pered, why, of course, I have-noth-
ing to say"