The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-08-05

Omana is tomorrow she went on
moment later, making an evident ef-
fort to get back on friendly common
place. IL shan't have soul to speak
TO till reach Chicago. wish you
were going through"
But am" said Beverly
you don't get off at Omaha?"
NO; find have to--go straight
through. II is unavoidable.
He felt his way somewhat as one
crosses a dark room. expecting every
moment to strike some unseen OBJ
stacle. She eyed him with grave sur
prise.
"But what are you going to do
about the baby7" she asked.
There was a sinking in Beberly's
chest and a sudden numbness In his
faculties. A hldeous visto OF new
lies opened up before him. Was he
doomed to play proud parent as well
as happy husband?
ut can't be helped" he said dog
gedly. "Ive got to go straight
through. The porter broke In on the
silence that followed with folded
slip Of paper. Beverly opened 1t and
read:
"Will you grant me the favor OF a
few minutes conversation in the
smoking room? C. PC"
He hesitated a moment Mr. Cra-
ven would evidently be leaving the
train the next day; but he still had
l2 hours in which to make trouble.
Better in the smoking room than In
the open car. SO Beverly excused
himself and went dejectedly to his
fate.
Helen sat dazed with sudden un-
derstanding. With her feminine in
tuition she had cleared at one bound
the mystery that heavier intelects
must have broken through bit by bit.
Marguerites husband was going to
the Middle West to get divorce.
1t was as plain as daylight. Mar
guerite had explained the journey
by a story of cousin who had died,
leaving a little boy to the guardian
ship of her husband He was going
to take the child into their own
home. Friends were to bring 1t as
far as Omaha.
Whatever has happened. know
he wasn't to blame. And he told me
he wasn't" she said to herself. 81
saw for myself that Marguerite had
changed"
81 beg pardon .or troubling you.
but I'm In rather predicament. and
perhaps you can help me-" began Mr.
Craven somewhat stiffly. IL was
asked to take charge Of a young lady
who was on this train, and can not
find her. or course, II she does not
want to be found-but l want to be
sure there Is no mistake. | feel re-
sponsible In the matter" .
A look of ingenious interest spread
over Beverly's face.
ooh, | see: you are looking for
some one," he said, as though the ex-
planation took weight off his mind
"Well, / don't think 1t could have
been Miss Clark--and that's no lie"
he added TO himself.
The other looked relieved.
mo; Clark was. not the name," he
said more cordially. I'm sorry--I--
she must have wondered at my per-
sistence. Evidently my charge did
not come. after all. Thank you"
60 that's all right said Beverly,
starting to escape. He got no far
ther than the door, however.
81 should like to apologize to her
for haunting her so persistently." be-
gan the other suggestively. Beverly
could not tell whether there was sus-
picon in his glance or not, but cut
him off with hurried I.
20. that's all right. I'll explain
| It, Don't trouble" and fled.
- Helen gave him little wistful
| smile that made him long to put his
head down and tell her all his trou-
bles. But he was cruelty shut off
from sympathy, but the facts of the
case.
Hes tired out" she said. with a
motherly note in her voice. "What
can ! do for him?
"Say nice things to him. lie sort
OF hates himself just now" The
words were spoken into the velvet
back of the seat, but she heard
"I'll tell you." he went on. Lets
drop, off the train and go hand-in-
| hand across this big green prairie.
| straight for that little red cloud on
| the edge IL will be winter when we
get there. and II Will be so good TO
warm our feet at IT," .
''And we can drink this wind when
we're thirsty. It's Just like warm
milk" she said, turning back to the
| open window. A little lock OF her
hair fiuttered In front OF his eyes.
"And forget that there Is anyone
In the world but Just ourselves" he
edded, with a vicious glance toward
lower H. ~fH a ~
you mustn't she said, half under
her breath. IL understand, of course
1--we been very stupid--but you
mustn't put In into words Only I'm
very sorry for all I've made you bear.
. You know that, don't ycu?"
Beverly was thoroughly mystified.
but dared not show II. He nodded
| gravely. s f
When they separated that night
another months worth was added 10
| their sense of intimacy. She fell
asleep maryeling at the blind folly of
woman who could throw away such
possession as the love of this man.
"Margerite, old girl. you're not In
| it, was his last waking thought.
| All the next day II seemed to Bev-
erly as though fate were on his side.
| Mr.. Craven watched them suspicious
| ly but he kept TO lower /. Margue-
rite was never once mentioned. nor
that terrible child. whose probable
age and sex had kept him puzzling In
| his dreams. a.