The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-02-15
oopyrirhs isi3 By Emerson Houah

that which he knew he was about TO
face. But no, he reasoned, she
was there alone. he must see herl
He flung open the folding doors and
stood holding them apart.
Yes, she was there! John Rawn's
face drew into a CHASTITY smile. Yes,
she had wont She, the wonderful
woman. had t%riumphed as he had
planned for her to triumph. She had
lwoni
They stood before. him, those two,
silent, face to face, embraced; their
arms about each other even as he
flung wide the door. They turned to
him now, ~stupefed, SO weary, so over
strained, that their arms still hung.
embraced. The face Of each was
white, desolate, unhappy; more hope
less and desperate than terrified. but
horrible. They were lovers. They
loved, but what could love do for them,
80 late? They had paid-but what
right had they to love, SO late?
John Rawn. the man who had
wrought all this, stood and gazed,
CHASTITY, smiling Historically, at his
wife's face. Why, then, should she be
unhappy? What was to be lost save
that which he, John Rawn, was los
fng-or had been about to Loser
But he was startled, stupe6ed. him
self, for one moment, He turned back,
E~Eesitating; and SC tiptoed away. leav-
ing them. although the joint knowl-
edge of all was obvious. They had
not spoken a word, had not started
apart. had only gazed at him like
dead persons. white, silent, motion
less-Lot lovers; no, not lovers.
For one-half instant. alone in the
wide and darkened hall, Rawn straight
ened himself up. threw his chest out.
Yes. she had won-she had done her
task! She held Charles Halsey fast
therein her embrace. He. John
Rawn. multimillionaire, collector Of
rare objects, n OF Gods anointed
rich. had the shrewdest wife the world
had ever seen, the most beautiful. the
most successful
Had he not seen-was IL not there
before his eyesf She had his one en-
lemy netted, In her power-there--had
he not seenf She brought him, bound
hand and foot. to him. John Rawn!
Gould a man doubt his eyes? They
had hunted well In couple, he and his
wife, and now she had pulled down
their latest victim!
What mattered the means?-there
was but n great thing. And the
great things must outweigh the small.
He was a man of power. He had been
born for success. He was
He stood. half In the shadow, hest
ltant. Then he heard other feet ap-
him slowly. His wife, vir-
lginia, came and took him by the arm
and had him within the door; closed
1T back Of him; and, leaving him, adj
lvanced to where Halsey stood. She
took Halsey by the hand. 1t
seemed a singular thing to Rawn, this
performance; in fact, almost improper,
AZ the truth were known. So
At seemed to John Rawn's mind, a
triie clouded with distress and drink.
WELL" said she apologetically: and
held her peace as he frowned and
and looked at her duns3ly.
"Welll" he broke out Mt last; I'm
back again!-You're here, 1 see."
This last to Halsey.
They two stood and regarded him
without comment. Halsey kept his
eye On Rawn's hand. expecting some
sudden movement for a weapon. He
incredulous that any man could
sustain Rawn's attitude toward him.
War, and nothing but war, seemed In
evitable between himself and Rawn.
the man whom he had wronged, the
man who had wronged him.
i suppose see" began Rawn
ciumsily, after a while. "Of course,
you have probably been here all the
time, Charley. ! came back as soon
- ! could. I've been having all kinds
Of trouble in st. Louis and New York.
Everything's all rome to pieces"
They did not answer him. and he
shufied.
Have you anything to ~. he de-
manded of his wife; has Mr.. Hal
y-Charley-agreedf-Have you per-
suaded him to-"
You wish to know whether / have
done what | was told to do--is that
1T" she demanded Of him coldly.
Yes; have your"
Il have. Here NJ Mr.. Halsey. I
have kept my word. You have seen.
4 told You ! could bring him In, bound
hand and foot. Kiss me. Charley she
cried ooh. kiss mel" And he did
kiss her. Cold. white, hand in hand.
dead, they then faced him again.
'Is It true?" began Rawn. His eyes
lighted up suddenly. HE has agreed?"
Halsey broke In now. 1T is true.
Mr.. Rawn." said he. Il love her. I
love your wife; I can't help 1t. l have
told her u. You see."
"You love her!" John Rawn burst
out into a great, croaking laugh. "You
love her? say, that's good! That's
good news to tell me, isn't it? Why
sent her-I used her, to make you
love her! You see reason now at last,
DO you9-every man does at last--ev-
cry man has his price. You'll go back
e work tomorrow? There's q lot to
-