The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1912-05-10

~ teidtHS the story Tom reverts to his
acquaintance with Mrs. Dace, a wealthy
widow, whose business agent is Richard
5mackay, boodler and political boss.
rom Is Jealous OF Mackay and Ia deeply
an love with Mrs. Dacs. Bruce Halliday
warns him to shun her as an adventures,
CHAPTER vI.-(centinued.)
Last night I happened to be pass.
ing this place. I had no intention Of
spying upon you'll never dishonored
you by such acts-but fate ordained
that should be Just In time to see
you alight with Richard Mackay. The
door Of the lower entrance remained
open for few seconds after you had
entered. I saw your scene with him
before you entered the elevator"
Never In my life had seen such Q
change come over q human counts-
nance as swept hers at my words.
The color fed In a fash and her
checks became ashy gray. Into her
eyes the instant before 30 soft there
fsaped the glitter Of a leopardess az
4 he gathers herself for the leap. Tense
4 and seeming to crouch, I saw the
leopardess in every outline Of her
curved body. Then az suddenly she
:rels1ed: the glitter faded and tho
hest Of anger gave way to the cold.
mess Of scorn. She stepped backward
With mocking bow.
"You honor nae greatly, my dear sir.
and I assure you that shall never
forget It. Yesterday you told me that
Z was an angel exalted above your
hope: today I am fallen thing be.
meath your contempt. And all be-
ecause Of a miserable occurrence like
that! And you would have left me
with no opportunity to explain my
.Suiftlessness had not forced you to
grant me that right"
Your guiltlessuess!" I returned as
acily. Il have charged you with no
guilt beyond treachery to me. You
told me that no other man made love
TO you, and believed you. You had
told me that Mackey was merely your
financial agent, and pinned my heart
upon your naked word. You have
crucified It. Yet l could forgive you
were it not for the fact that this man
,js married and has family ard you
ARE we'll aware Of it. leave the ques-
zion of your guiltlessness towards his
wife to your own conscience"
Her bosom heaved and her hands
frightened. Listen" she said in
voice hard as STEEL "You shall hear
me out now, for there are things that
you must know. Not that care for
your opinion, and not that I care to
retain even your friendship after this.
but because 1t is my duty to myself
and to Mr.. Mackay, who seems at
!least to respect me. ! had told you
much Of my affairs, but not every
thing. Mr.. Mackay made certain In
Nestments for my husband, and 1t was
that fact principally that brought me
back from the Orient. He has been
kind enough now that I am alone In
tho world to protect them for me and
,give me the benefit Of his judgment
;and experience that / might not have
TO exist on the charity Of friends. That
makes 1t necessary that should some
times see him. Al to what the world
says about me, do not care the snap
.of my finger, for It has always ma
1igned me and do not even take the
pains to deny what 1t may say. Az for
that scene in the hail. as your high
mess seems. pleased to designate 1t, l
have only to say this. was taken Ill
last night at a late luncheon at which
he happened to be present with 9TH
ssers, and he hurried me home In his
car. l was very faint when we ar
rived here and he supported me with
his arm across tho walk and into the
building. Before the elevator came
down l must have lost consciousness
for a moment, for when rsgained
my senses he was holding mo In bis
arms to prevent my falling and bend
ing over me as he asked mo what he
could do, for me. In moment had
recovered my strength and requested
him to release me, which he immedi
.ately did. He escorted me az far Al
.my door and left me there at nay re
.quest after / had assured him thai
Janet would do all that was necessar,
for me. Mr.. Mackay did no more thai
sany other gentleman would have don'
under the circumstances.
The pride of her poise was magnin
cent and the cold dignity Of her tones
that of an outraged empress. Neve
before had she seemed so beautiful
so pure, so womanly. And cropping 10
something, no matter how slight
-upon which to once more fasten m
faith in her. my jealousy and blac
ssuspicions once more fled before he
bearing and explanation. and In thei
place love and belief CAME surgin
back. The terrible smothering weigh
within me was lifted and / could hav
.cried aloud in the blessedness OF m
relief l fell upon my knees osfor
her as I brokenly begged her forgiv'
ness: clutching her convulsively D
.the hand and pleading my heart OF
that she be merciful She listened
ssilence to my appeals until they wei
exhausted and then told me J mu'
rise.