Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1910-08-10
CHAPTER XIX

buestS from WOOdlawn were in the Ytlu (.
sic-room when Tom was admitted, with
Ardea at the piano playing war songs
LOT the pleasuring Of her grandfather
ana the ex-artilleryman. Under cover
OF the music. Tom slipped into the cir
Gle OF listeners and went to 81: beside
his mother. There was courteous
hand-wave of welcome from Major
Dabney. but Miss Euphrasla seemed
not to see him. He saw and UNDER
stood. and was obstinately impervio3s
to the chilling east wind in that quar-
ter
Ardea fingered lovingly on the clos
ing harmonies of a nocturne. and
when tho 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 things!" she laughed. IN
another five minutes the last one of
you have succumbed Why didn't some
body stop me?"
The IRON master said something
about the heavy work OF the day, and
helped his wife to her feet The Major
came awake with y start ana UestIFr..-a-
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 have fought II OUT
with you"
you don't deserve hearing. even
from your best friend" was her dis
couraging reply; but when they were
at the door she gave him formal re-
prieve. II shall walk for few min
utes on the portico to rest my nerves."
she said. IF you want to come la X
."
He thanked her gravely. and went
obediently when his mother called to
him from the steps. But on the Wool
lawn veranda he excused himself. and
when the door closed behind the two
in -going, he swiftly recrossed the lawns
10 pay the penalty.
+ The front door of the manor-h house
was shut and the broad. pilIared 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 wrap
over her shoulders. and the light from
the mushroom windows Illuminated
her. There wills cool scorn In the slate
blue eyes. but In Toms thought she
had never appeared more unutterab,y
beautiful and desirable-and unattain-
able.
Il have come" she said. In a tone
that cut him to the heart for Its very
for yourself9'
"I'm afraid haven't left myself
much to say he began. penitently. ..I
was born foolish. and 1t seems that /
haven't outgrown 1t. But. really. IL you
could Know"
.Unhappily. I do know" she inter-
rupted III did not. might listen to
you with better patience"
1T did look pretty bad" ne confess
ed. And that's what l wanted to say;
It looked great deal worse than It
was. you know"
II am bound to believe what see
with my own eyes," she rejoined. Per-
haps you can make 1t appear that see
ing is not believing"
.Of course can't II you take tina,
attitude" he complained. And then he
6AlQ lTTlldUlys Ou lhlh dUOuI ITleNQ-
ship! You don't know the meaning OF
the word"
IF didn't. 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.
Il M hut I,ot t..
ter. We were speaking of what YOU
saw this evening. Will you let me try
to explain7'
Eyes. II you will tell the plain truth.
Lacking imagination. can't do any.
thing else Nan has had falling ou1
with the old scamp of a moonshine,
who calls himself her father. She came
to me for help. and broke down in the
midst of telling me about 1t. / CAM
stand woman's crying any better thar
other men,"
"And that was all--absolutely all
Tome"
II don't lie--to you." he said. briefly
She gave him her hand with an in.-
pulsive return to the old comradeship
II believe you. Tom. in the face of al
the-the unlikeliness. But please dom
try me again. After what has happen.
ed" she stopped in difference to some
thing In his eyes. half anger. half be-
wilderment. or a most akillful simula.
ton of both.
Go on" ne said: tell me what ha.
happened. l seem to have missed
something
NO" she said. with sudden gravity
IT don't want to be your accuser o
your confessor; and If you should trl
to prevaricate. should hate you'll"
There In nothing for me to confess
to you. Ardea." he said. soberly. still
holding the hand she had given him
~'You have known the worst OF me. al
ways and all along. think"
Eyes. have known" she replied
; .e--r'-- Tho imnrisored hand and tnrn