The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-07-18

A glance told him why Nome had
not returned to the cabin. Breed aud
the colonel were smoking cigars over
a ragged ledger of stupendous size,
which the factor had spread out upon
small table, and both were deeply
absorbed. Mrs. Becker was faclEg
the fire, and close beside her sat
Nome, leaning toward ner and talk
Ing in a voice so low that only muir
muir OF 1t came 10 Steele's ears. The
mans face was flushed when he look
ed up, and his eyes shone with the
old fire which made Philip hate him.
As the woman turned to greet him
Steele felt a suddenly sickening sens
alton grip at his heart. Her cheeks,
too, were flushed. and the color In
them deepened still more when he
bowed 10 her and Joined the two
men at the table. The colonel shook
HANDS with him, and Philip noticed
that once or twice after that his eyes
shifted uEeasily in the direction OF
the two before the fire. and that
whenever the low laughter of Mrs.
Becker and Nome came to them he
paid less attention to the columns or
figures which Breed was pointing out
/, to him.
When they rose to go into supper.
Philips blood boiled as Nome offered
/ his arm TO Mrs Becker. who accepted
| 1t with a swift, laughing glance at
the colonel There was no response
( In the older mans pale face. and
Philips fingers dug hard into the
palms OF his hands. AT the table
Nome's attentions to Mrs. Becker
were even more marked. Once, un-
der pretext of helping her to dish,
| he whispered words which brought
| a deeper flush TO her cheeks, and
when she looked at the colonel
his eyes were fixed upon her in stern
reproof. II was abominable Was
Nome mad? Was the woman
Steele did not finish the thought
in his own mind. His eyes encount-
cred those OF the colonel's wife across
the table. He saw a sudden, quick
catch OF breath in her throat; even
as he looked the flush faded from her
face. and she rose from her seat, her
gaze still upon him.
Il am not feeling WELL" she
said. "Will you please excuse me?''
| In an instant Nome was at her
side. but she turned quickly from
him to the colonel, who had risen
from his chair.
please take me to my room" she
begged "Then--then you can come
back"
Once more her face turned to
Steele. There was pallor In IL now
that startled him. For a few mo-
ments he stood alone, as Breed and
Nome left the table. He listened,
and heard the opening and closing of
a second door. Then footstep, and
Nome reappeared.
by Heaven, but she's beauty"
he exclaimed. IL tell you, Steele
Something in his companions eyes
stopped him. Two red spots burned
in Steele's cheeks as he advanced and
| gripped the other Hereby by the
arm.
Eyes, she is pretty--yery pretty"
he said quietly, his fingers sinking
deeper into Nome's arm Get your
hat and coat, Nome. / want to see
you in the cabin
Behind them the door opened and
closed again, and Steele showed past
his associate 10 meet Breed.
| Buck and have a little matter
to attend TO over at the cabin" he
explained. when they-when the
colonel returns tell him well be over
to smoke an after-supper pipe with
him a little later, will you? And
give our compliments to-her." With
a half-sneer on his lips he rejoined
Nome. who stared hard at him, and
followed him through the outer
door.
Now, what the devil does this
mean?" Nome demanded when they
were outside. IF you have any
thing on your mind. Steele"
II have" interrupted Philip, "and
I'm going TO relieve myself of II.
Pretty? She's as beautiful as an
angel, Buck-the colonel's wife. |