The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-08-15

After winning Jane Whylie's promise
to marry him. John Waith, a chief
boatswain's mate in the Navy, rejoined
his ship, which steamed away into the
South Seas and remained there for six
months, practically out of touch with
home. John wrote letters to Jane al
most daily and mailed them in a bunch
once in two months on an interisland
boat that carried them from Tutuila to
Apia, where they were transferred to
an Australian liner which delivered
them at San Francisco. Jane lived in
San Pedro. John received one letter
from her during the six months, the
breyity and moderate phraseology of
which only made him prize il the more.
since he had 10 suck from this rind the
taste OF the flesh Of the apple He was
OF the kind that can do that
His vessel anchored in San Pedro
harbor on its return. in preparation for
semi-annual target practice in Santa
Barbara channel. John went ashore at
once, at four o'clock in the afternoon.
and hurried to his sweethearrs home.
little cottage near the shore. north
OF town, where she abode with her
mother. There was nobody at home
and ell the doors were locked. He
waited, sitting In wicker chair on
the vine-clad porch, and there dreamed
masterful dreams Of a marital para.
disc There were gorgeous shops In
that Eden, and he was with Jane. buy-
ing for her gauds and fnery. Jim
Storkley came upon the scene. uluckinp
nnfnrhtd6an hut y~1
ine1orahle, dourished a flaming sword
and drove his lifelong enemy out
through the gates and into the barren
wilderness Thus dreaming, he dozed
In his chair.
He was awakened by a woman's
stuffed scream. He opened his eyes and
discovered that 1t was night. a sairted
form was futtering through the rose
tree shadows toward the gate. He in
stantly understood the situation.
rs that you. MOTHER he called.
From the hour that Jane accepted him.
he had called Mrs. Whylie mother"
Come back here; It's only me-John. .
The form by the gate hesitated. He
called again: Its only me-John.
Come back, cowardy."
lis that you, Johnr' quavered a
voice.
Where's Jane." he asked, as the old
lady regained the porch.
Mrs Whylie did not answer him. She
sat IN another chair, and rocked her.
self violently. splitting raspberries from
BOX IN her lap without taking notice.
Where's Jane?- he repeated impa.
tiently.
She's at home, John" It was a
sepulchral voice.
John stood up and laid hand on the
ooor-knob. "Pshaw!" he laughed. "she
must have come in while rs asleep"
The old lady rocked more violently.
She vas coughing and holding a hand
kerchief TO her mouth. Not here
John; she's at her own home" she
Tninpered- John, she's married"
John reeled. clinging to the door.
Knob. One should have warning before
TIE crack OF doom The old lady waited.
couchant, for the storm to break. But
John was Silent In the darkness she
could not see his pallid face and sud-
denly bloodshot eyes. a wave Of relief
swept over her that he should take il
thus quietly, for she knew him as one
not given 10 suppressing his passions.
She began TO talk, monotonously.
she married jim Storkley bout a
month age" There was q rapier in
Johns heart and the old lady was un
Willingly twisting IL Il tried to coax
ner out Of IL, but he seemed bent on II.
and Il 'peared he had some sorta hold
On her fancy, though don't believe
she really loved him. Her girl friends
~ss always mockin' her about MARVIN
sailor who has sweetheart in every
port and amt much at home nohow.
utstrust jim; he's too free about
drtnE and amt over fond OF work.
reckon. He quit that Job on the break
water Just because - WHY
She had heard the gate-latch click
and looked Up. The shape Of a man
rss looming along the outside of the
picket fence The old lady peered
about the porch, but John was not
there
JOHN Waith vas q man who lived
i.ie With maximum appreciation of
liz privHege-liTed and was glad of It
and Eszds the most OF living. He was
Lot dtsgtpated; had never been under
trs influence Of alcoholics. The yigor
and vtruisnce OF his blood and brain
Eers sufficiently intoxicating. At
tTenty-Eix he vas primitive as a child,
AID his c1D Of life was filled TO over.
fosiag with equal measures Of love
and hate. 10 which all other passions
we're but Alterations, eordials and sed.
atfTes. He loved Jane Whyiie and
hzted jim StorkIey. He had hated tho
o1e and loved the other since child
aocf, and this broth of love and hate
made up bis life The hatred cuIni-
nzted when hs and Storkley became
rivals for the favor Of Jane. In the
Initiative John von. He always won
when he could be On the ground, be-
eauss IL oyeroore and used force, men
"a AID muscular. To ask him 10 step
azits IL lore affair, no matter In
Tazt esteem me lady in the case might
hcld him, would have been tantamount
~ asking 2 wild cat guarding its
yoEEg % clsnab down and eapstulate.
Wien nan Of nature years, who
1ss nsYer teen under the influence OF
!SgEor. Decoues intoxicated. he Is q
fezFfel and wonderful icing Little