Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1911-02-10
IN THE ROOM BEYOND.

IllOus WHO udu just CH10ASA 800
parlor of the Briarside Inn, shivered
as though a cold wind had come out
OF the summer night and struck him.
Its been worse than that" he de-
clared. After the Zelaya went
down, / drifted on a piece of plank
ing to the FUNNIEST isle in the Pa
cific. And I've been drifting ever
since. Ugh!'
Ganley began to pace the rich.
thick carpet. Why didn't you write?
Why the deuce didn'I you Write!"
he almost screamed.
Elton looked up quickly. Whats
the row." he demanded. why
should you snap at shipwrecked
man like that?''
"Oh, nothing" answered Ganley,
with a sigh. He dropped into one of
the luxurious leather chairs and COW
cred his drawn face with his hands.
In the adjoining parlor, girl began
the most plaintlve air upon the grand
piano.
You see the fortunes of William
Lawrence Elton went with the Ze-
laya-doWn, down to the mermaids
and cuttlefish and the rotted dere-
llcts of the forgotten age explained
Elton. my bonds, papers, the Elton
jewels, everything went in the swirl
and the gurgle after the sinking ship.
| didn't get back to civilization until
after nine months of dickering ano
lest. dirtiest, fercest people Of those
greasy. dirty, fierce seas, After |
got back. thought maybe I'd better
wait. There was Lois. you know
Young Ganley, his face still buried
in his hands, groaned; while the girl
at the piano changed her chords to
lithesome trill of springtime.
Il thought I'd see how the girl
would take it," continued Elton, my
absence-and everything. But what's
the matter with you, anyhow? Aren't
you glad to see a fellow?'
Il don't know" answered Ganley,
suddenly
You don't know" repeated Elton.
well, you're frank about it. How's
Lois? understand she's here"
Ganley arose and started for the
adjoining room, then halted Lois is
well--and happy" he announced.
Happy" asked Elton, with
frown.
Perfectly so-but now"-Ganley
left the other to guess the rest.
Elton nodded. Il see. She has
found balm. in the eyes of other
men"
Ganley nodded. '.She was deeply
grieved. | thought she would not
get over it. But Lois is young"
From the parlor adjoining came
lullaby chords, the soothing charming
strains of the time of going-to-bed.
Elton looked keenly at Ganley. And
you're the man." he declared, with
emphasis.
4 thought you dead" explained
Ganley. 1T was not until months
after"
Elton was modify silent for sew.
eral dragging moments. Does she
love your" he demanded.
Absolutely" said Ganley. more
than she ever did you-or would
again. She Is older, and she has suf-
fered."
The two men sat in gloomy silence
for five full minutes. Come" said
Ganley. finally, 'I'll take you to her"
Elton did not move, Il don't know"
he said. Il don't like to be stalk
ing ghost of the past"
Tut. tut" scolded Ganley. Come
on-let her choose"
Elton started up, then dropped
back. NO." he declared. Il won't
wreck her life twice."
Ganley sat down irresolutely and
the minutes licked by. The grand
piano rendered stormy, passionate,
thunderous.
I'll tell you," said Elton, pres
emily. Well leave it to Fate to de-
eide for little Lois" He produced
shining coin.
0dAiCy oAuuucIcu. oiS ought 10
know and choose"
'No." insisted Elton. II blighted
her young life once. But she has
forgotten--and Is happy. I've no de.
sire to play the unwelcome specter
and ma be render the three Of us
miserable forever; though-well, you
know how man loves Lois. Come,
it's Fate!"
It's Fate then" acquiesced Ganley
sternly. "Heads!"
Elton spun the coin, glittering in
the flicker from the gas jet. The
golden lad OF Miss America showed
Uppermost upon the carpet
"You win announced Elton.
"Good-by."
Ganley could not answer. The soft
sweet cadence of q Venetian love
tune came from the room beyond.
"Good-by," repeated Elton. "Pm
back to the wreckage and strife and
unloveliness Of the life that aids to
forget" Then he passed into the
night.
Ganley stood, unhearing, unseeing.