Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1911-08-31

A little lie would clear her@yes.
But 1t was not to be cleared that she
now so passionately desired; 1t was
| to have him believe in her, even
against the evidence of his senses.
even in the face of the worlds con-
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 faith
that like Pickering taper might light
the way for-love.
But that hope was now dead within
her, and cold. She had but to look
at him to see how groundless 1t had
been, how utterly unmoved he was by
her distress. He waited patiently
that was all-seeming so very tall,
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 sus.
gest that we have not all week for
our-our mutual differences"
His tone was altogether changed;
she would hardly have known 1t for his
voice. Its incisive. clipped accents
were like knife to her sensitiveness.
She summoned the reserve of her
strength, stood erect, unsupported, and
moved forward without a word. He
stood aside. holding the lamp high.
and followed her. lighting the way
down the hall to the study.
Once there. she sank quiverinx into
chair, while he proceeded gravely to
the desk, put down the lamp-super-
f1uous now. the gas having been
lighted-and after a 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 distracted
~ reached up and turned out the gas.
When you are quite composed I
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,"
Il have mono explanation to give
that would satisfy you. or myself
she said, brokenly. II don't caro-
what you think" with a flicker OF de-.
f1ance. Believe the worst and-and
do what you will-have me arrested"
He laughed sardonically. "Oh. we
won't go so far as that, / guess; harsh
measures. such as arrest and impris-
are so unsatisfactory TO all
concerned. But 1 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 futtering in her bosom warned |
her. She must be very careful, very
restrained, II she were to avert that
misfortune.
Il don't think l quite understand |
you," he continued. musingly; surely
you must have anticipated Interrupt
tion."
Il thought you safely out OF the
way"
One presumed that" He laughed
again. unpleasanuy. But how about
Didn't you have him In
your calculations, or"
He paused, unfeignedly surprised by
her expression. And chuckled whom
be comprehended.
(TO BE CONTINUED