Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-03-22

Why had not the clairvoyance OF des-
pair warned her? One Of her hands
rose and pressed over her eyes as il
to sponge out this phantom. II was
useless; it was no dream; he was still
there, this man she had neither Seea
nor heard Of for Eve years berause
her will was stronger than her desire.
this man who had broken her heart
d children break toys. And deep be-
low al this present terror was The
abiding truth that she still loved him
and. siways would love him. The
shame Of this knowledge did more
than all else to rouse and to nerve
her.
"Karl? II was like an echo.
"Yes." There was war In his voice
and attitude and not without reason.
He had wronged this woman, not with
direction intention. it was true, but
nevertheless he had wronged her, and
her presence here could mean nothing
less than that fate had selected this
spot for the reckoning. She could
topple down his carefully reared
schemes with the same ease with
which he had blown over hers. And
to him these schemes were life to his
breath and salt to his blood, every
thing. What was one woman? cyni-
cally. "Yes, it is l." in the tongue
native to them both.
"And what do you here?"
81 am Admiral Killigrew's private
secretary" He wet his lips. He was
not so strong before this woman as
he had expected to be. The glamor Of
the old days was family rekindled at
the sight of her. And she was beauti-
full.
"Then, this is the housel" In q
whisper.
at Is"
"You terrify meT
"Hildegarde, this is your scheme"
struggling. Tell them all you know;
break me, ruin me. Here is a fair op-
portunity for revenge"
God forbidT she cried with shiv.
er. Were you guilty Of all crimes,
could only remember that once loved
you"
you shame me-" he replied frankly,
but with infinite relief. "You have out.
done me in magnanimity. VIII you
forgive meT'
"0h. yes. Forgiveness is one Of the
few things you men can not rob US
Of" She spoke without bitterness, but
her eyes were dim and her lips drop
ped. What shall we do? They must
not know that we have met"
"Cathewe knows" mOodily.
81 had forgottenI"
81 leave all in your hands. Do what
you will. If you break me-and God
knows well that you can do tit
would be only an act Of justice.
have been a scoundrel. l am man
enough to admit Of that"
She saw his face more clearly now
Time had marked 1t. There were new
lines at the corners Of his eyes and
the cheek bones were more prominent
Perhaps he had suffered too. "You
will always have the courage to do,
she said, right or wrong in a great
manner"
"Am l wrong to SEEK
Flush! know. 1t is what you mus
thrust aside or break to reach it
Earl. The thing itself is not wrong
but you will go about 1t wrongly. You
can not help that"
he did not reply. Perhaps she was
right. Indeed, was she not herself au
example Of it2 II there was one thing
In his complex career that he regretted
more than another it was the deception
Of this woman. He did not possess tn,
usual vanity Of the sex. There was
nothing here to be proud Of His dream
Of conquest was not over the kingdom
Of women.
Some one is coming" he said, listen
ing.
Leave 1t all to me-"
"Ah"- with a hand toward her.
DO not say 1t. understand the
thought. II only you loved me you
would say" the iron In her voice un'
mistakable.
He let his hand fall. He was sorry.
Presently the others made their en-
trance upon the scene, a singular anti
climax. The admiral rang for the cock
tails. Introductions followed.
is 1t not stranger said the singer
to Laura. 81 stole in here to look al
the trophies, when discovered Mr
Breitmann. whom | once knew in Mu
MICH"
"Mr. Cathewe," said the young
hostess, "this is Mr.. Breitmann, who Il
aiding father in the compilation OF hi:
book"
"Mr. Breitmann and have met be
FORE" said Cathewe soberly.
The two men bowed. Cathewe nevel
gave his hand to any but his intlmates
But Laura, who was not aware Of thi:
ancient reserve. thought that both Of
them showed a lack Of warmth. And
Fitzgerald, who was watching all cor
ners now. was sure that the past of hi
friend and Breitmann interlaced il