The Elbert County tribune., 1914-12-11


doors brought a tingling,< pleasure
which seemed like mere animal graft
fication. He shivered for moment as
he listened to the storm He won
dered what had made II possible for
him to brave homelessness and hun
ger and squalor. Looking back on 1t
he realized he had borne 1t as a man
lives through pain under the power OF
an anesthetic- The misery OF his mind
had dulled the sordid wretchednees of
mere existence.
To Merry that supper was festival,
not wholly because It was the salts
tying OF ravenous appetite. but because
1t was the crisis II his life. Dorcas
sensed that II her own hunger was
real. Merry would not feel that she
was feeding a famlshed outcast. Jason
beamed upon them in sheer enjoyment
when he brought in full dishes and
carried away empty ones. Dorcas was
light-hearted and gay. as happy as
they had been during their nrst &C.
quaintance at the shore. For = mo-
ment. while Merry drank his coffee.
the memory OF q few horrible weeks
intruded on the present.
Miss Dorcas." he began abruptly.
why did you"
She stretched out her hand appeal
ingly.
Don't bring In whys-now. We are
so comfortable don't ask for an ex-
planation--I don't want to give any.
Can't you see I'm in Happy Valley for
. little while? am 80 glad to have
you hers again.
Merry smiled into her eyes. 'T1l
obey you. bless your gentle hearth"
The girl rose and reached to shelf
behind her for a box of cigars. Merry
lit one. iounged back in a cushioned
chair. and pulled rings of smoke
towards the red nre. They sat in
silence after Jason had carried away
the dishes. Their quiet was broken
when the clock struck one. The man
started.
-Miss Dorcas. you wanted me here
to talk. cannot rob you of q Stght's
sleep"
Il am as wide awake as cricAet.
slept all the afternoon"
FIRST Of ALL" Merry asked gravely.
how did you ind met Scores Of men
and women passed me day after day,
people / have known for years. Not
one of them recognized me-
They were not searching for you"
you weref"
Dorcas nodded.
How did you md me!" he per-
sisted.
Last night on my way home from
the theater with Mr.. Oswald our cab
stopped in a block. and 1t was opposite
where-that line of men stood. was
looking at them when saw you pull
down your hat. When Mr.. Oswald left
me here drove back to Tenth street.
but the line had dispersed. went
again tonight-juet hoping"
| who is Mr.. Oswald?" asked Merry
abruptly.
Don't you know? Haven't you been
reading the papers! Mr.. Oswald is the
man who is putting on your play"
my play?" Andrew dropped his
half-smoked cigar on the table.
Your play" repeated Dorcas in 4
quiet tone. They have been search
ing everywhere for you to play John
Hsterbrook.' Enoch IL in Montreal
now. looking for you
Merry laughed harshly.
The girl cinsped her hands together
Mr. Merry. tell ne. are you and
Enoch no longer friends?"
Andrew picked up his cigar and
pulled 1t until the red spark revived
Then he laughed again. I'VE are not
exactly friends. Has he told you any
thing7"
Yes, he told me-only it seemed
so strange. 30 hard TO believe after
our talk that day at the point, that
somehow cannot understand it."
| Merry watched her keenly. He was
throttling a temptation to tell every.
thing that had come between him and
the sunshine OF existence. He felt
sure of the girls sympathy; he knew
she would understand. He had begun
to realize his own dependent nature.
First there had been his mother. then
for years he had leaned upon Enoch g
strength and friendship. When he was
left alone 1t was outer darkness. Every
fiber Of his being longed not so much
for redress as for understanding and
sympathy.
Miss Dorcas, l will begin at the
day when left you and" Suddenly
he realized he could not tell the story
of Enoch's disloyalty to her. Miss
Dorcas. | need your help-terribly."
Il am ready to help you in any way
can" she answered quietly. She
knew he was nerving himself to a con.
fession. and she understood what an
ordeal 1t was to the man. She crossed
the room and laid paper before him.
pointing to the bold headlines
stretched across the top of page. The
words fairly leaped at Merry.