Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-06-03
CHAPTER x.

CHAPTER x.
An Interval.
Il was on The second day after his
arrival IN New York that Stanton
called upon Jessica Floyd. This time
40 went more confidently up tho stairs
II the quiet apartment house, sure OF
bis right
Az before. the little old lrlshwoman
lad In black silk was waiting to ad'
nit him; @ before. he could have
cried ont Il tho wonder Of seeing this
girl Who turned F7oyd's candid face
TO him ana smiled with Floyd's gray
eyes. Only. this afternoon Jessicia
did not rise from tho piano seat to
greet him, but from chair near
window.
"Jes @ away again" she regretted,
giving him her hand.
II came to SEE you, BY his permits
sion," stanton returned.
The rich color flushed under her
marvellous skin, that was like no other
woman's be had ever seen. Floyd dit.
fered there, man from girl, his com
plexion bDiu4 much darker and less
translucent
1T ID too early to give you tea and
caker she told him. with playfulness
partly shy. But II you will talk to
me for half IN hour. It will b. after
four o'clock and can offer you hos.
pitality.
Whist shall talk to you about!" he
doubted. II am better at listening.
think"
ION, any i.;;l5, e ..ee::;T..s.rs supposs
were Jes; like what no likes, rae
ing, factories. motor-oars."
Although the season WAS early, .
f1re burned in the tiny hearth, ON
either side Of which they were seated,
facing each other. In the rudy Light
Stanton contemplated the smiling girl.
In her pale-blue gown with It's lace
ruffles foaming around her full young
throat and falling low across her
hands.
your brother has told you Of the
business partnership that we plan for
this winter, Miss F1oyd?"
She nodded her bronse-crownsd
head.
Eyes; I am very glad
did he" . sudden fancy prompted
the question. did he tell you that
was coming here to sec you, II
night"
did he know of IT." she asked in
couSter-Question.
Floyd had kept the confidence given
him. then. although no formal -.
straint had been made The express
sion that crossed stanton's dark face
was warm and very gentle.
.'TIs knew. yes. wish ! could have
met your brother years ago: might
have been less hard q man, more At to
know him, and you, now"
"You hard!"
HAS he not taught you that am
SOL"
In her earnestness che leaned for
ward, her eyes fearlessly on his.
Never. Do not imagine he thinks
you that. do not 80 wrong his memory
Of your Kindness. A rough word-what
Is It? The first gentleness cancels It;
what IL q friend worth who does not
understand"
stanton bent his head. looking at
the fire.
II have not had much gentleness
shown me-" he said. my mother died
when I was born; when was thirteen
my father married again. Ny stop
mother was . good woman, whom I
loved % well as my father did. But
within the second year after the mar.
riage, the horses they were driving
ran away, dragging the carriage over
an embankment, and my parents died
within few moments Of each other
while being taken to the hospital.
Have ! said that my father was
wealthy? He was 80. He had made
his will, year before. leaving every
thing to his wife; we'll knowing that
she In her turn would pass all on to
me. She was much younger than he.
almost certain TO outlive him, and
entirely to be trusted. But she had
never made q will, delayed by chance
or forgetfulness, suppose. When he
died I'VE minutes before her, all his
fortune passed to his wife; then, upon
her death without will, again legally
passed on to her relatives. I was left
with no share or claim"
"But 1t was yours by every right!
Surely, surely, your step-motheris rel.
atives did not take 1T"
''They took every penny and every
Inch, Miss Floyd. And I. at fifteen.
was sent out into the world, beggar-