Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-05-26

buJ IL was not TO be cleared that she
now so passionately desired: it was
to have him believe in her, even
against the evidence of his senses.
even in the face of the worlds con.
demnation; and to prove that he, too,
cared-cared for her as his attitude
toward her had taught her to care.
Ever since leaving him in the dawn
she had fed her starved heart with the
hope, faint hope though it were, that
he would come to care little, that he
would not utterly despise her, that he
would understand and forgive when
he learned why she had played out
her part, nor believe that she was the
embodiment of all that was ignoble
coarse, and crude; that he would show
a little faith in her, a little fait
that like Pickering taper might lighi
the way for-love.
But that hope was now dead within
her, and cold She had but to lool
at him to see how groundless it had
been, how utterly unmoved he was b,
her distress. He waited patiently
that was seeming so very tall, a
pillar of righteous strength, distin
guished and at ease in his evening
clothes; waiting patient but cold, dis
passionate and disdainful.
Il am waiting, you see. Might sug
gest that we have not all week foi
our-our mutual differences?"
His tone was altogether changed; !;
she would hardly have known it for his
voice. Its incisive, clipped accents
were like knife to her sensitiveness.
She summoned the reserve of her
strength, stood erect unsppported. and
moved forward without word. He
stood aside, holding the lamp high,
and followed her, lighting the way
down the hall to the study.
Once there, she sank quivering into
chair, while he proceeded gravely to
the desk, put down the lamp-super.
fluous now, the gas having been
slighted-and after moments thought
faced her, with a contemptuous smile
and lift of his shoulders, thrusting
hands deep into his pockets.
'Well?" he demanded, cuttingly.
She made a little motion of her
hands, begging for time; and, assent.
ing with short nod, he took a turn
up and down the room, then abstracted.
ly reached up and turned out the gas.
When you are quite composed
should enjoy hearing your statement"
'I-have none to make"
"So!"-with his back to the lamp,
towering over and expressing her
with the sense of his strength and self.
control. THAT is very odd, isn't it?"
II have mono explanation to give
that would satisfy you, or myself"
she said, brokenly. IL don't care
what you think" with flicker OF de.
| fiance. Believe the worst and-and
do what you will-have me arrested"
He laughed sardonically. "Oh, we
won't go so far as that, l guess; harsh
measures, such as arrest and impris.
onment, are so unsatisfactory to all
concerned. But l am interested to
know why you are here"
Her breathing seemed very loud In
the pause; she kept her lips tight,
fearing to speak lest she lose her mas.
terry of self. And hysteria threatened; !;
the fluttering in her bosom warned
her. She must be very careful, very
restrained, if she were to avert that
crowning misfortune.
Il don't think l quite understand
you," he continued, musingly surely
you must have anticipated interrup.
| ton"
81 thought you safely out Of the
way"
"One presumed that" He laughed
again, unpleasantly. But how about
Maitland? Didn't you have him In
| your calculations, Or"
He paused, unfeignedly surprised by
her expression. And chuckled when
he comprehended.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
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