The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-02-05
CHAPTER Xxx.

The Cat and The Mouse.

The Cat and The Mouse.
Mr. Gilmore, having yielded once
again TO temptation, found himself
at Marshall Langham's door. He
asked for the lawyer. but was In
formed he was not at home, a fact Of
which Mr.. Gilmore was perfectly
well aware, since he had parted from
him not 20 minutes before at the
courthouse steps. Mrs. Langham
was at home. however. and at this
welcome information the gambler.
smiling, strobe into the hall.
From the parlor. Evelyn heard his
voice. She had found him amusing
in the first days OF their acquaint-
ance, and possibly she might again
find him diverting, but this after
noon he had chosen III for his call
She was quite sure she detested him.
For the first time she measured him
by standards OF which he could know
nothing, and found no good thing In
him. What had Marsh meant when
he forced this most undesirable ac-
quaintance on her!
"You wanted to see Marsh7" she
THAT will keep" said Gilmore
cheerfully. May / stay7" he added.
''If you WISH" she answered in
differently.
She felt sense OF shame at his
presence there. Everything about.
her seemed to sink to his level,
which was a very low level, she was
sure. These afternoon calls were a
recent feature OF their intimacy.
Before Gilmore came, she had been
thinking for the hundredth time OF
John North--the man she had once
loved and now hated. but In whose
honor she had such confidence that
she knew he would face death rather
than compromise her. In spite OF
the fact that he had scorned her, had |
thrown her aside for another, she
had had on his account many a soul |
rending struggle with her con-
science, with her better self. She
knew that a word from her, and his
prison doors would open to a free
world. Time and again this word
had trembled on her lips unuttered.
She knew also that 1t was not hate
OF North that kept her silent. 1t was
an Intangible, uniformed, unthought-
out fear Of what might follow after.
North, she knew, was innocent: who
then was guilty? She closed her
eyes and shut her lips. That North
would ultimately clear himself she
never seriously doubted. and yet the
burden of her secret was intolerable.
In her present mood, she was accessi-
bic to every passing influence. and
today 1t was Gilmore's fate TO find
her both penitent and rebellious, but
he could not know this he only
knew that abe !. was aniater than
usual. -sy---~-~------s-------.s- ~.
He seated himself at her. side. and
his eyes, eager and animated, fed
on her beauty. He had come TO the
belief that only the lightest barriers
stood between himself ana Evelyn
Langham, and II was q question In
his mind Of Just how much he would
be willing to sacrifice for her sake.
He boasted nothing In the way Of
position or reputation. and no act
OF his could possibly add to the dis
favor In which he was already
held; but to leave Mount
Hope meant certain definite
losses; this had served as a
check on his ardor, for where money
was concerned Gilmore was eau
tious. But his passion was coming
to be the supreme thing in his life;
n fortunate chance had placed him
where he now stood In relation to
her, and chance again. as unkind as
IL had been kind, might separate
them. The set OF Gilmore's heavy
jaws became tense with this thought
and with the ruthless strength OF his
purpose. He would shake down one
sensation for Mount Hope before he I
got away,-and he would not go
alone.
81 suppose you were at the trial
today?" Evelyn said.
Yes, / was there for q little while
this afternoon" he answered. TITS
rather tame yet. they're still fuss
Ing over the jury"
"How ID Jack bearing TIT" abe
asked.
Her question seemed 70 depress
Gilmore.
why do you care about how he
takes lit don't suppose he sees
any fun In it.--he didn't look to me
as II he did" he said slowly.
But how did II seem to your
"oh. he's got nerve enough. II
that's what you meant"
Poor Jackl" abe murmured soft
~. ~ Il
IF you're curious. why don't you
go take look at poor Jack? He'll
be there all right for the next few
weeks" said the gambler, watching
her narrowly.
I'm afraid Marsh might object"
AT this Gilmore threw back his ,
head and laughed.
Excuse mel" he said; and in ex-
PLANTATION OF his sudden mirth, he
added: ''The idea Of your trotting
out Marsh TO mel"
I'm not trotting him out to you,
---as you call IT," Evelyn said quiet