The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1913-04-25

tAS Az" " IN
cane. which he threw on the center
table as he came in.
Hello. Govain. thought | heard
you come in." Brachard said. affecting
extreme cordiality. THANK you for
coming"
$50 it's really you.' Govain cNclaim-
ed. looking ut the tinancier.
"SurpriSed to SEQ mo. ch: Erachard
said with Il light laugh.
We'll. yes slightly. What are you
doing hiding in "l'aris:'
"tnn't you guess
II can't. You said something about
a woman.
"Why, my dear boy. it's all about Il
woman"
is that SO? An affair. ell: How
funny..'
1t struck Govain as extremely ludi-
crou> that Brachard. the homcly. un-
emotional man of money. should have
his hat still on. looked at Brachard
with frank in%SolCnre and laughed.
As he thought OF the situation his
amusement grew. Here WAS Bra
charu. whose wife he had stolen away
from his home only a few hours ear
Iier. himself in the mes!les Of an in
tri-,le. 1t was delicious. Irresistible.
and he laughed again.
1T isn't as funny as YOU Think"
Ernrhard suggested. with a certain
-rimneSs in his tone.
MY dear fellow. it's Il great deal
funnicr than YOU can ht'iCNe.' GUvHin
exclaimed. with another burst Of laugh
ter. Here | Get to bed at $ o'clock
il the morning and YOU wake me up.
r"nfOund it. before I've had two hours
Sleep"
Yes: | thought | could depend on
You to come" Brachard said.
And all the while your Wifc-yOur
poor wife-and Your friends your
poor fr~iends-thought you We're cross
ing the channel. You arc-oh. this is
too much. Hrachard. You are deli
cious..'
Hrachard liked this frank demonstrate
ton of GOvain's point of view. He
was really quite AS much amused as
Govnill, but he didn't laugh. Instead
he to>tered the others deluSinn.
Il don't look at it as YOU do" he said.
II tried all old trick. long known to
husbands who wan a day off"
Yes. but you. Oh. my"
"Why not me: You make me GU
rious.'
We'll. nobody has ever thought you
frivnlouS.' GovHin said. looking at
Rrachard and laughing again bolster
ou>ly. i've always thought YOU badl!
in love with your own wife"
"You've always thought that Bra
chard asked.
Yes: | though you were crazy abou
her."
come. come. You thought that:
Brachard asked. i~ncredulous now.
why. Of course. Every one said SC
l should have sworn that her cool
ness toward YOU only made you tn
more anxious to win her. She alWay
seemed to me very cold and reserved.
Rrachard replied vaguely, and &c
vain went on:
Its not that | find you more dc
monstrative. but. to put my finger o.
the exact spot, | always thought YOU
very moral man.
"Perhaps | am Brachard sale
"Nou are. | know, under all circun
stances. a very watchful friend. Thi
interest in me touches me, jerome
won't forget it,"
"You're joking" Govain said, rattle
uneasily. explain your message t
me-
".Jeromc, will YOU do me a grca
, favor:'
"You'vc no idea what | viii! do ff
; you." Govain assured him. ".Anythini
when it's Il question Of your welfare.
Il was sure of it, Rrachard sal,
"bccauSe now. ut a critical time. | re-
, upon YOUR affection. Jerome. YOU wi
j, obliye me more than | can tell you
u having lunch with me. and not leaviI
me for Il second for the ncXt three O
perhaps. four hours. ann pH>Sil
l. through Il dreadful period of my e
i tcncc. expect every moment
piece of very serious neW
Solitude renders me nervous. and Il
@ presence Of an ordinary friend o
g drive me crazy. am 50 fond Of y,
l. that ! be-. YOU not +" leave me-"
You amaze me more and more. -
e fellow GoNain said. growing real
n curious. 1T must be after T. no
I'll come back in "A little while"
le "Oh. no" Rrachard i%nterp">ed hi
self in front of l:Ovain hurrieuly.
the latter was about to leave. ~