The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1914-09-04
CHAPTER TX.


CHAPTER TX.
A Man of Honor.
Dorcas breathed a sigh of relief
when her cab drew up beside the
bread line. She had thought during
her brief drive around the block Of the
possibility that the man might leave
less, with head bent deflantly against
the singing eddies of sleet. She
stepped from the carriage and passed
swiftly along the sidewalk beside the
line of city's poor. She hesitated for
few seconds when she reached the
corner, then she stretched out her
hand and laid it on the wet sleeve Of
the man before her. He turned and
stared at her for one dazed moment
He did not speak. Instructive cour-
tesy reminded him that this was no
place for a woman in midnight
storm, and his desire to protect her
caused the hunger to be forgotten. He
stepped quietly from the sidewalk and
without word moved beside her down
the street. The movement caused a
score of men to turn with quick curl
osity, but suddenly cry ran down the
line: "The doors open!" Everything
else yielded to the march toward food
Dorcas swiftly led the way to the
carriage. When she opened the door
and beckoned Merry to enter he hest
tated, the blood flushing into his wan
face.
"What do you want, Miss Dorcas ."
he asked quietly.
Il want to talk with you," answered
the girl. do get in, please-out of the
storm"
Merry handed her in, then followed
and shut the door. II cannot go home
with you" he announced stubbornly.
"Enoch is away He's in Montreal,
and there is nobody at home except
Jason and me. have SO much to say
to you" she cried appealingly. 1--WE
can't talk driving through the streets
on such night as this"
Merry stared at her for minute
with logged obstinacy in his gaze.
won't you Gomez" urged the girl
impetuously. Her color deepened and
an eager light shone in her eyes.
There is so much I want to say. We
shall be quite alone. You can trust
Jason. Afterwards you may go away
If you wish-and I will promise
never to attempt to find you. I will
try to forget you"
Merry stretched out his hand and
touched her arm, leaning forward un-
til his face was close to hers. Miss
Dorcas, don't say that. Since l left
you that night on Juniper Point have
lived lifetime of happiness and hor-
ror and remorse. One thing alone has
saved me from going over the brink
of the precipice, simply one thing"
He lifted his eyes to hers. "The one
thing" he repeated, chat 1 could not
fling away was the memory that you
trusted me, that you believed in me.
and were waiting for me to make
good"
Il trust you now" cried the girl, her
voice breaking into a sob. II am still
waiting for you to make good. Won't
you come home with me?"
The cab stopped in front Of the
Waverly Place home. Merry followed
her reluctantly up the steps. She
paused for moment while she ad-
justed the key in the lock.
Would you mind seeing Jason?"
she asked hesitatingly. He can help
! you with dry clothes. He will be as
glad to see you as I am"
Ring for him." answered Merry
quietly. Jason and are old pals"
Half and hour later Merry walked
into the library where Dorcas was
waiting for him. 1t seemed as If the
mere resumption Of clean. comfortable
clothing, even though hunger still
marked him, had given the man fresh
valor, new dignity.
He laughed nervously. ut is a re-
tuyenation. isn't it," he asked as he
glanced at himself in the mirror. "Ja~
son unearthed some buds once left
here"
Jason was an excellent valet, and q
hot bath. a shave, and fresh raiment
had made a man Of Merry. The lock
Of fair hair which habitually fell over
his forehead made him look almost
boyish. although his face was pallid
end carewcrn.
Il have eaten nothing since morn
ing" Dorcas said. II told Jason to
serve supper here. on little table be-
side the fire. where it is cozy and
cheerful"
Merry dropped into q chair. He
wondered il the intense enjoyment of
| the good things Of life was pure sensu-