Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-10-18
Tho question seemed to touch q


nerve that startled and then stifened
him. He answered it with his head
turned toward her, the eyebrows lift
ed, a combative note in his voice:
II don't know whether she does or
not" He stopped and then said, with
his face flushing. mo, l don't think
she does"
How can you leave her, then"
You expect too much Of weak hui
man nature" he said.
NO" she answered, IL don't. l
only expect what you can do"
He turned and looked at her.
Then I'm to live for the rest OF
my life with a wife l don't care for,
separated from the woman l love?
What is there in that to keep mans
heart alive?"
The knowledge that We love each
other. That's a good deal, think"
1t was the first time she had said
in words that she loved him. There
was no trace of embarrassment or
consciousness on her face; instead she
seemed singularly calm and steadfast,
much less moved than he. Her words
shook him to the soul. He turned MS
eyes from her face and grasping Tor
her hand, clasped it, and pressed 1t
to his heart, and to his lips, then
loosed it and rose to his feet, saying
to himself:
Eyes, that's a good deal"
Her eyes followed him, and then
brought up on the schooner bearing
away on its long tack, strained and ca
reening in the breeze that, down there
in the open, blew fresh and strong
from the great Pacific.
ITS a schooner" she said absently-
where do you suppose It's goingT
"I don't know. Somewhere a long
way off. | hope. My devils are sailing
away on II"
They stood side by side. gazing
down at 1t till she movsd away with a
sudden "Good-by."
"Good-by," he answered, ana
stretched out his hand.
Berry had been turning over In her
mind the advantages OF accepting the
| money-had been letting herself dwell
upon the delights Of possible posses
sion-when at the Sunday dinner that
afternoon Josh McCrae threw her
back into the state Of incensed re1ec'
ton with which she had met the nrsI
offer. With his face wreathed In Joy
GUS grins, he had apprised her OF the
fact that only an hour earlier. while
walking on Telegraph Hill, he had
seen Dominick there talking with Miss
Cannon.
She was quiet for the rest Of the
afternoon, but it was not till she hac
reached her own home, silent In 1ts
untenanted desertion. that she hac
an opportunity to turn the full vigoi
of her mind on what she had heard.
She put from her mind all intention
Of ever taking the money. She want
ed it desperately, terribly,
She knew that the interview TO
which Bill Cannon had asked was TO
a last. deciding conversation. He wa
70 make his final offer. 1t was mo
ment Of torture to her when she won
dered what 1t would be, and her MINI
lowered in distracted temptation owe
the certain two hundred thousand do
lars and the possible quarter OF
million.
She was in this state Of feverish dill
tractedness when she went to Bi
Cannon's office.
Nothing could be more disarmingl
friendly than the old mans greeting
What / asked you to come here fo
to-day was to talk about this matte
to talk further, to thresh 1t out som
i more. I've seen Mrs. Ryan since OF
last meeting. She doubles her one
to you. She'll give you two hundre
thousand dollars to leave her son."
, well, l won't" said Berry, DRAWN
herself to the edge Of the chair. "St
can keep her two hundred thousar
dollars"
Don't be in such hurry; I've NJ
finished yet. This is just betwee
you and me-" he went on slowly. b
voice lowered, dropped to the key
condolences. "I1l give you anoth'
hundred thousand. I'll put it Wi
Mrs. Ryan's pile. and It'll run vol
fortune up well past a quarter Of
million"
You think that / don't know WI
you're offering me this money. We
old man, do. You want to get n
husband for your own daughter. Ro
Cannon"
1t was Cannon's turn to be speec
less. He had not for years receive
80 unexpected and violent blow.
sat in the same attitude, not movil
or uttering a sound, and looking
Berry with a pair of eyes that ca
second grew colder and more stee
Come" he said with sudden auth'
ity, 81 can't waste my time this we
Are you going to take the money
not?"
His manner, as II by magic, h
changed. Every suggestion Of def
ence or consideration had gone frC
1t.
viii you take the money!"
moi" she said loudly. Don't a
me that again!"
"All right" he answered quiet
that ends our business. Do you KIN
your way out, or shall l ring for Gr'
ger to see you to the door,"
1t was late, almost dark, that e