Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-03-23
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|: CHAPTER X.
On ~ oeals0.
I was reused b. some one walking
,across the roof. tie cracking Of tin
under fest, and Q comfortable and
.oompaniooable odor of tobacco. I
moved Q very little. ana then cav
that u VA . man-the height ana
,srectness told mo which man. And
Just q that instant hs saw me.
Good Lofdi" he calculated. and
throwing his cigar away no came
across quickly. why, Mrs. Wilson.
what IN the world ore you doing here :
I thought-they SAID
''rhat I was sulking again?' an.
'ishsd disagresably. Perhaps am.
In fact, I'm quite sure Of IT,
You are not" ho said severely.
You have bssn asleep In q February
night, In the open cir, with less cloth.
Ing on than wear In the tropics"
I had got mp By this time. refusing
his help. and because my test w4rs
numb. I sae down on the parapst for
Q moment. Oh. knew what looked
like-one Of those ''valley-of.ths-ls!le.
After-aT1ood" pictures.
'Thsrs 10 one thing about you that
- comforting" I suited. you said
precisely the same thing TO me ct
three o'clock this morning You never
stsrtle mo b. saying anything unex-
pscted."
He took step toward mo. and even
in the dusk I could SEQ that he was
looking down at me oddly. All my
nravado faded away and there was .
Queerish ringing in my ears.
II would like to-" he said tensely.
81 would like, this minute-I'm fool.
Mrs. Wilson," he finished miserably.
II ought to be drawn and quartered,
but when I see you like this IL get
20 down and" He clenched his list.
It was reprehensible. Of course: he
saw that in an instant, for he shut his
teeth over something that sounded
very fierce, and strobe away from me.
to stand looking out over the river.
with his hands thrust In his pockets.
OF course the thing ! should have
done was to ignore what he had said
altogether. but he was 20 uncomfort-
able, SO chastened, that, feline, femi-
nine. whatever the instinct is. I could
not let him 90. had been 80
wretched myself.
What 10 It you would like 70 say!'
called over to him. He did not
speak. Would you tell me that am
q silly child for pouting!" No reply:
he struck q match. "Or would you
preach . nice little sermon about
people-about women-loving their
husbands?"
He srunted ssvasely under his
breath.
BE quite honest" I pursued relent-
lessly. Say that We are . lot Of
barbarians. ~ that oecause my-be.
cause Jimmy treats me outTageously-
Oh. he does: any one can zee that
and because loathe him-and any
ono can tell that-why don't you say
you are shocked to the depths?" I
was . little shocked myself BY that
time. but couldn't stop. having
started.
He came over to me, whitehead
and towering. and he had the audacity
to grip my arm and stand me on my
feet, like q bad child-which I was. I
dare say.
DON'T" he said In . husky. very
panied voice. "You arc only talking:
You don't mean II. It isn't you. You
know you care. or else Why are you
crying up here? And don't do it
again, don't do It again-or will"
You will-whatf'
make fool Of myself. a. have
now" he finished grimly. And then
he stalked away ana left mo there
alone. completely bswildered. to md
my way down In the dark.
! groped along. holding to the rail.
for the staircase to the roof was very
steep. and went slowly. Hallway
down tho stairs there was tiny land
ing. and stopped. could have
sworn I heard Mr.. Harbison's foot
steps far below, growing fainter. I
even smiled little. there u the dark,
although had been rather profoundly
shaken. Tho next instant knew I
had been wrong: some one was on tho
landing with me. could hear short.
sharp breathing. and then
am not sure that struggled: In
fact, I don't believe I did, was too
limp With amaxement. The creature,
10 have lain In watt for me like that!
And he vas brutally strong: He
caught me 70 him aercsly. and held
me there close. and he kissed mo-not
.onoe o. twice. but halt dozen times,
long kisses that filled mo with hot
shame for him, for myself. that had
liked him. The roughness q his
coat bruised my cheek: I loathed him.
And then some ono came whistling
along Tie hall below, and he pushed
me- from him and stood listening.
Breathing In long. gasping breaths.
sa2: When my ehaky knees
would hold me. I ran. wanted to
hide my hot face. my disgust, my dis
illusion: wantsd 70 put my head in
mothers lap ana cry; WANTED to die.
O.. b M % need never see him again.