Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-25

haggard eyes. Once more they were in the
cab.
He found speech. an God name, what S
this, Crawford? You, with a second estab-
lishment?'
think soo Mort, love truth for its own
sake: it's part of the pride in my blood.
She is nothing to me- never has been. A bit
of loyalty to the dead. My nurses daugh
ter, foolish and romantic. And man
trusted Oh, WELL he's dead 1t was my
mothers wish that should always provide
for her. shall always do so, whether | re-
turn to America or not, whether live or die.
Do you believe me?"
I'm going to try to-
eyes, yes; understand. 1t is human to
look less for virtue than for transgression.
All this property round here is mine. The
people live close to the blinds. | do not
come often,-once in six months, but that
once is enough for the rabbit warren of
scandalmongers. It's rather hard on that
young woman: but she is made Of the stuff
of martyrs, and she never speaks of me, nor
seeks me. Whose business IS it but mine.
mine? Curse all meddlers!' with a fury that
brought Forbes out of his lethargy.
Same here!" he said Where was the
Florentine box-under the seato And how
had he done it, The iron nerve Of the man,
to have taken such risks! And playing poker
all that time, as cool as you please. 1t took
a deal of control not to whirl upon Crawford
and accuse him pointblank.
"Forbes, have never wronged soul in
this world; / have never done anything I'm
ashamed of. | am not even ashamed of what
did tonight. Let's not play cat and mouse
any longer. You know, and | know you
know. You couldn't keep your eyes off my
hand. 1t was deviish hard on my nerves to
see you walk in. What took from Near
sons safe was-mine"
"Yours?'
The cab wheeled into Broadway, out of
quiet into noise. A block or two passed in
silence.
a sent them on wild goose chase. To
get into the apartment was simple; the safe
was nothing. You know my hobby, insane
as it is. hurt my hand in getting through
the transom. Do you care to know what
was in the box? A packet OF letters. One
mad day l sent them back; and now one
mad night go like thief and recover them.
You will say that | should have gone to her
and asked | know her | know myself.
Pride or stubbornness call it ANYTHING you
will
But in Heavens name what was the
cause?"
1--WE have just left it, Crawford said
nothing more till the cab drew up IN front
of the studio. Here you are. Goodnight
and God bless you, Boy. When you get
tired out with work, pack up and come over.
You know where to cable. I'm man over
yonder: only grub here"
Forbes felt himself literally pushed from
the cab: and he stood on the curb, weak
with shame. Curse those meddling report
ers, to have put such a thought into his
head! Poor old Gravity. The girl with the
copper-beech hair-and with the thought of
her came great and glorious idea, romantic
and irresistible.
RAWFORD turned about and proceeded
swiftly downtown, toward home. Round
the corner from where he lived was an an
Gent pawnshop. 1t was open; for pawn
shops find profit in late hours. Here Craw-
ford stopped, lifted the seat. took out the
Florentine box and went into the pawnshop.
Hello Moses" he called to the bent old
man who was puttering over his accounts.
"Ha! Goot efening, Mr.. Crawfort. What
can | do for you dis efening?'
Lost the key to this box, and was Won
dering If you could open it without injuring
it in any way.
HIN. Hant- fooled. Sure | open her."
The old man laid on the counter q dTaWerful