The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1914-10-08

from the desk. to come face to face
with man whom he had used to like
and who, he had reason to believe, had
not been without interest in him.
why, hello, Baker!" Mark held
out a friendly hand, with a genial
smile that was part of his new resolve.
Baker took the hand, but released it
quickly. All! How are you. Truitt?"
Bully. Just back from long stay
in the woods. Dine here with me to-
night, won't you?"
Thanks. no. I'm probably not din
ing here. Excuse me. Some men l
must see"
Baker broke hastily away, passed a
few words with a nearby group and
went out. The ruse was obvious.
Mark, feeling as though he had re-
ceived a blow in the face, stared after
the retreating figure. The genial smile
faded Then he went TO the rooms
he had engaged. Passing the group
that had helped out Bakers ruse, he
was conscious of their furtive curious
glances
Arrived in his rooms, his first act
was to'have back newspaper files sent
up TO him For two hours he read
how, while he was winning back health
in the wilderness and planning a life
of amity with his fellows, his name
had been banded about on the tongues
of SANDER and gossip. AS he read in
the light of what had just happened
the amazing accumulation of suggested
filth, only here and there brushing the
outer edges of fact, utter bewilder-
ment filled him. Shirleys brief COM
munication, making mention of some
talk" received at the edge of the will
derness, had not prepared him for
this.
It's all pack of dirty lies" he
cried How could these men, who've
seen me go in and out every day, be.
lieve it? What rotters they must be
themselves to be able to believe it,!
BY God! I'll" He stopped, with a
sudden feeling of dismay. Why
why, can do nothing"
He was helpless.
Then | am not free! She has put
a mark on me that lifetime can't rub
out. Must we pay forever for our
mistakes? :"
One evening, when his residence at
the club had continued about three
weeks. the affair came to a climax.
He was entering the grill for dinner.
At the sound of his name from a
nearby group OF diners. he halted in
voluntarily.
That's all well enough" one of the
diners was saying. "A clubs a club
and, OF course, we have to allow a
certain latitude. Still, when it be-
comes the refuge for a man so no
torious we couldn't have him in our
homes" The speaker was checked
by warning kick.
Mark, sweeping the group with eyes
from which the mask had momentarily
fallen, met Bakers embarrassed gaze.
With a contemptuous smile, he passed
on to his own table and ordered a
dinner which he made such show of
eating as inward rage and pain al
lowed.
Ills COutt anu cigar hdu JUDI Dctu
brought when Baker crossed the room
and stood by his table.
"Truitt-" he began uncertainty.
"Well?" Marks upward glance was
not welcoming.
May l sit down for a minute?"
Aren't you afraid of catching the
plague?"
I'm more afraid of being kicked for
my impertinence."
II understand" said Mark grimly,
I'm a pretty tough customer. but l
don't commit assaults in public. Sit
down"
Baker sat down, looking earnestly
across the table at Mark. Look here,
Truitt. There are things on both sides
OF your fence ! don't approve But