The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-05-18
CHAPTER w.

q
ond time in my life | was htI'o
frightened.
CHAPTER W.
Arrival. 4
did not offer TO kiss my oriue'
nor did any OF the others. lnoeeu,
except for Jonas, who had foiloWee
Nancy into the room, ana WIN
Ephraim Bond had acted as witness
TO the ceremony, none OF US shoWeu
much emotion. But Jonas black puz-
zled face exhibited certain as
quieture, which he could not hldS
even under the frown OF his employ
er.
Mr.. Stevens seemed very nervous
Sinking and scowllng in maddcnlne
repetition He fingered only a mo
ment, then, with some muttereo
apology, left the room, glancing back
over his shoulder al us, till his thlil
neck looked as il some one had been
trying 10 wiring II. Mr.. Bond did not
even trouble TO bid him goodday. an
Jonas was far too engrossed with Ms
thoughts to show him the door he
must have let himself out unassisted'
When he had gone. Mr.. oond Wheel
ed upon the trembling Negro.
You are fool" he said Leave
the room and see that you stay In
your pantry until ring for you"
But. Mistah Bond, did? Praps
| ought TO infohm yoh that"
Leave the room. Do you hear me-
Leave the room" Ephraim Bonds
voice was sharper than | had heard
! it, and the old Negro went hesitating-
! Il rNftf of fl.a hn "
ing up duty unwillingly and appre-
hensively. Just as he reached the door
j he looked back. and nodded with evil
( dent meaning to his employer, and
what color the marriage service had
ileft her, vanished from Nancy's lace
before my eyes. Ephraim Bond made
a half movement toward the door, and
Jonas fed. We could hear the clat,
tering shuttle of his feet on the back
stairs. Below. one door shut softly
and another banged. Then all the
house was quiet.
Here are your railroad tickets, Mr..
Ellsworth" and Mr.. Bond held out
an envelope TO me; you will find my
carriage waiting for you at the door.
Nancy, you know me: you can, per
haps, advise your husband about my
whims, but, even to her husband, a
woman is safer in not telling al She
knows. / will see you as far as the
door myself
i We started after him. Nancy was
trembling SO now. that | took her
hand and tucked 1t under my arm
held II so until I helped her into the
carriage. | noticed that a small trunk
and a handbag were up beside the
coachman, then | stepped In AND
closed the carriage door upon us: the
coachman touched the horse with his
whip. and we We're of. When We mad
driven block, looked out through
the small window In the back
Ephraim Bond still stood in the outer
vestibule, but he was not looking af.
ter us, but had turned, and seemed
TO be watching a tall man In a brown
derby hat, who was running after q
bus in the other direction.
A low sob caught my ear, and
dropped the little curtain. Nancy had
drawn herself deep into her corner,
and was sobbing as II her heart
would break.
For a long time I watched her IN
silence. She cried steadily, her face
buried In her arm. 1t hurt me more
than anything ever had, and yet what
could | do, what comfort could ! give
woman | had so married? 1t was
even possible that my very presence
was the reason OF her tears. Finally
I stretched out a hand TO her tiinidly
At my touch upon her arm she look
ed up, and although her eyes were
full of tears, and her sobs still came
gaspingly, she smiled into my eyes.
Are you so unhappy" | asked.
NO, am not unhappy-I--I am
free. We have really left that dread
full house, have We not? Do you won.
der that | must cry a little-I have
held myself so long. and now am
here. You will never let them take
me back, will you?"
Never" promised | ached to
take her in my arms, that she Nigh.
feel the strength OF me. the absolute
certainty OF my protection. But let
her rest quiet, all alone in her cor.
ner, to sob the weight OF her fear
away. For myself had much TO think
of, future TO plan, lifetime to con.
slider, but | let the future go for the
moment. To sit and watch her, curl
ed there beside me in the great car.
riage, was a pleasure foo sweet TO
miss.
Continued!