The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-21

| exchange of nailbags. They were again
plunging on through the darkness.
Iris felt as if she were going to cry,
| so great was the nervous tension. IT
could only be alone" she thought
again.
The Wyoming passenger arose.
These spring nights are chilly. am
going in. VIII you Gomez" she ques-
toned pleasantly.
4 suppose I had better" returned
the other liStlessly.
Il Will get my jacket-and return"
faltered Iris. fervently hoping the
tremor in her voice would not be no.
ticed.
When she reached the drawing room,
she found Aunt Salina asleep A mo-
ment OF wild temptation assailed her.
This is my chance to get out of it
all! Without stopping to consider,
she drew off her engagement ring,
wrapped it in her handkerchief and
unobserved entered the next compart-
ment which was Griffith's, and slip
ped 1t into the pocket of his overcoat.
Then she snatched her hat and coat
from the rack, picked up her travelling
bag, and sped like a hunted thing
back to the observation car With
trembling fingers she pinned on her
hat. Ahead she could see the lights
of Glencoe.
This is my one chance to make
things righti'
Eagerly she strained far out over
the railing as the train slowed up, and
after an interminable moment she saw
Norman swing down from the train
to the platform.
She gathered up her travelling bag
and anghted. A moment more and
the long Overland train moved on.
1t was then that Norman noticed
the slender figure standing there. Iris
by all that's holy!''
The same,' she returned, and
wished she would not tremble so.
rs it you in the flesh or spirit ?" he
questioned.
ly laughed and laid one hand on his
arm to steady herself. For a moment
she felt as If she would faint.
But Griffith-and your aunt? I
heard from Derby you were on the
train.'
Il have given him up she faltered.
His face grew stern. rs this mere
ly part of the game? If so. it's
game 1 no longer play, Iris. I did not
quite understand, I was too sincere
and it hurt! But I am through now
with the tricks of So-called high So
ciety.'
so am I; that's why I--came."
Still his glance did not waver. The
glow in the distance. Around them
lowered the overshadowing mountains.
Iris shivered and put one hand to her
throat to ease it's throbbing.
mans face softened. you must have
more wraps" he said, and put around
her shoulders the coat he had been
carrying. There is no cause for
ALARM" he continued, soothingly. MY
aunt. Mrs. Bowen, lives a couple of
blocks from here. I will take you
there: then if you wish telegraph
ahead for your friends to stop at
Marden. The local goes through in
an hour, and you can join them then"
She did not answer for a moment.
Dismay and terror swept over her.
She had-oh, what had she done?
Thrust herself precipitately into the
life of man who, perhaps, had ceas-
ed to care for her?
THAT would be best. To go back
is all that's left me if you no longer
want me-
Not want you. Good heavens!"
Still he spoke like one who was hold
ing himself in leash. Are you sin
cere, Iris? Will you come now to my
aunt's and be married by the noun
tain missionary"
BY way of answer she put both
hands in his "They are free and they
are yours-if you want them,'' she
said.-(Copyrighted 1913 by the Nc
Clure Newspaper Syndicate.)