The Nevada County picayune., 1911-06-30
his pen. Why, I'm glad to hear it!"

lduSlS ulu uOt uOuDL HIS SlUCeFlty.
 To Steele's relief his prolonged ab- sence of the day before had passed unnoticed; at least, Mrs. Steele made no comment. But, as he rose from the breakfast table he felt that the moment for an explanation was at hand Her eye was upon him, and he was fain to avoid 1t.
 T am sorry, dear" he said uneasily, but I must go downtown again today. I-I have to consult with Morton" He named his lawyer. It wGs not strictly untrue; he did mean to see Morton, for minute or two, If he found time.
 You have sold your seat?" she asked, abruptly.
 "I-er-Hunt was not ready yester- day. It'll be settled in a day or SC" 7"
 As yet he shrank from the lie direct, but the following day new subter. tell her the truth.
 T find" he said glibly-having thought it out beforehand, during a sleepless portion of the night-"that I will have to spend several days perhaps a week-at the office A mat ter has cropped up requiring my at tention."
 T understood that MT. Hunt had ar. ranged everything by your instruc- tions, using your power of attorney"
 II had-er-forgotten this matter due to my illness perhaps"
 { rly 1n failed to foresee. The reformed tip pier had broken the pledge.
 week passed. The issue grew, be- came as wall between the man and the woman. Finally 1t might no longer be eyaded.
 I'm involved in the market" he told her. surlily, with a dogged air.
 "Jim!"
 He cringed.
 IT can't help it. Sara--its be- yond helping now. I'm sorry, but l saw the chance, I thought. to make a few thousands and"
 But, Jim!" He looked quickly away from the pain in her eyes; he would not have witnessed it, knowing that he had caused it, for worlds. But, Jim, you-you gave me your word!"
 II know, T." He floundered mis- erably under her accusing gaze. But 1t can't be helped. In few days-a week, at the outside-I hope to have it all fixed. And that will be the end Sara!"
 She did not answer; Steele's primal impression was that she was refusing to listen. Then he saw that she was, for the instant, unable to give him her attention.
 She had pushed back her chair, as though intending to rise; on the con trary, she seemed held down, as though by an invisible hand-strug gling vainly She had turned from him, averting her face; Steele could see no more than the full curve of her cheek; and that whitened to a pallor beneath his gaze. Unconsciously her left hand went toward the region of her heart, clutching at the folds of her morning gown.
 Steele hurried toward her.
 Sara" he cried second time. "1s lis 1t your heart. dear-the old trouble?"
 His voice seemed to rouse her; the hand dropped to her side, she sat up determinedly In her chair, then warned him away from her with little. weary gesture. Steele bent toward her in an agony of solicitude.
 "The old heart trouble?' he de manded. But she refused to credit him with the anxiety with which his tone was charged.
 "Yes," she said, faintly. "It-it's gone, now. l am all right"
 "I'll send for Doctor Dexter, at once" he proposed.
 Tt is unnecessary" She rose, cold ly ignoring his proffered arm. He fol lowed her toward the door "He was here yesterday. tell you-it is noth- ing. Now, go on-go to the office. l am all right"
 But"
  pretend to worry about me. l-'
 But will not go!" he cried. "At least, until I know"
 Tt is getting late.' she reminded him, quietly "The exchange opens within an hour. You had best go at once. Don't think of me-think of the money you have involved
 He had no answer. IL was true he had no choice but to consider the money; his presence upon the floor al the opening was an imperative neces- sity. While he hesitated, considering that phase of the case, she brushed past him and left the room. Steele started after her, paused, reconsidered and left the house, muttering to himself
 Where before he had gone to the market as a man desiring stimulant, now he plunged into the turmoil on