The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-05-13
-. Henry Russell Miller
Mark Truitt ~ :s:::s.:s..
Henry Russell Miller
Copyright IOIS.
TIE Bobbs-MeFrin Co.

! him for this.
IT'S all a pack OF dirty lies" ne
cried How could these men, who'Ne
seen me go in and out every day, be
| lieve IL? What rotters they must De
! them selves 10 be able 10 believe IL
| By God nj" He stopped with a
sudden feeling OF dismay. Why
why. can do nothing"
| Ii vas true He could do nothing
! He could not buttonhole every man
/ who looked coldly upon him or passed
iby on the other side, saying, See
here. my friend. am not profigate
| | am not wife-beater. All these ru
! morc you've been accepting are mere
| ly my late wife's revenge for my re-
fusa to continue a loyeless unnatur'
al relation that brought only unhappl
ness" And even II he could do that
what Roadway could he make in the
destruction OF the fabric that rumor
stimulated by rejected woman's
sp!t had built and that needed but
the magic of hostile touch TO grow
| like a weed after summer rains? he
was helpless
Then am not free. She has put
Ia mark on me that lifetime cant
rub out. Must we pay forever for our
mistakes? ."
! He could not guess then how dearly
he was to pay. But within week he
was learning with bewlldering rapid
lty the extent OF his last tribute 70
Unity's vanity II did not amount
quite 10 ostracism. But men-the big
ani fine the Bakers at least. for
whose respect and companionship he
had healthy desire studiously
avoiied him, or when a meeting could
not be evsded greeted him with a
cold and distant formality that did
not In the least suggest amity An
even sharper sting was the attention
OF another class OF men for whom
! ha1i ing put his lips briefly TO the cup
they Quaffed so copiously he had
nothing but disgust Gilded youths,
notable for their callow designations
sought him out, that they might boast
OF their acquaintance with the notori-
Gus Mark Truitt.
The first nunbing shock over the
thing began 10 hurt him cruelty. Then
/ he found himself hardening to the
injustice of il, growing reckless the
springs OF his new desire for amiable
existence freezing But he would not
\ fee. He donDed the mask the proud
man, hurt, always assumes, making
no outcry, jealousy hiding his wound
under stole Indifference.
One evening, when his residence at
1 the club had continued about three
weeks the affair came TO a climax
Having just refused cocktail insist.
emily offered by pimply youth who
called him "Old man." he was enter.
ing the grill for dinner. At the sound
/ OF his name from nearby group OF
diners. he halted involuntarily.
That's all we'll enough one OF the
diners was saying. "A clubs a CLUB
and, Of course, we have TO allow a Ger.
( tain latitude. Still, when it becomes
| the refuge for man so notorious we
couldn't have him ia our homes"
The speaker was checked by a warn.
| ing kick.
Mark. sweeping the group with eyes
! from which the mask had momentar.
lily fallen, met Bakers embarrassed
gaze. With contemptuous smile he
! passed on TO his own table and or.
! dered a dinner which he made such
show OF eating as inward rage and
| pain allowed
! His coffee and cigar had just been
brought when Baker crossed the room
and stood by his table.
! "Truitt-' be began uncertainty.
! "Well?' Marks upward glance was
not welcoming.
May sit down for a minute2"
Aren't you afraid OF catching the
plague
! I'm more afraid OF being kicked
for my impertlnence"
! 81 understand said Mark grlmly
I'm pretty tough customer, but /
don't commit assaults In public. Sit
I down
Baker sat down, looking earnestly
( across the table az Mark. Il .ook
here. Truitt There are things on
I both sides OF your fence don't ap.
iproye Rut ! particularly disapprove
this pharisee business. felt like a
+ cad when YOU caught MS over there
Z ! want 10 apologize for my part In it
though u wasn't q speaking part"
( "All right Mark lighted his cigar
You've done your duty"
But this Is little more than duty
+ r." Baker hesitated. "Oh, hang II
Y all Some things become SO painful
I only plain speech serves You don't
need TO be told Of the stories goin g
around. Lately it's occurred to me
that you've been letting US take them
at face. without trying to contradict