Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-05-06


landt's accusation had sunk into his
mind, Kirk lapsed into a mood of sui
len bitterness. He said little but his
set face worried his companion, who
was lOath to bid him good night eren
when they were close to the TivoH
After they had parted Runnels was
upon the point of going back and offer
ing to spend the night with him. hut
thought better Of it,
Instead Of passing through the Office
Kirk mounted to the porch Of the ii
vol and entered his room from tie
outside, as he and Chiquita had done
earlier that evening. He found Allan
waiting and bursting with a desire to
gossip, but tut him short
Get my street clothes. I'm going
out" He tore the white tie from his
throat as if it were choking him. i've
been hurt, Allan I can't explain, for
you wouldn't understand. but I've been
hurt. Come along"
The Negroes lips drew apart in All ex
preston If apelike ferocity. and he be-
gan to chatter threats of vengeance, Co
which Kirk paid little heed. A few mo-
ments later they went out quietly, and
together they took the rock road down
toward the city. the one silent and
desperate, the other whining like
hound nearing a scent.
y y
Edith Cortlandt did not retire i'm
mediately upon her return from the
ball. Her anger at Anthony's behavior
kept her wakeful, and the night had
turned off so dead and humid thai
sleep was in any case a doubtful pos
Sibility.
She was still sitting in her room ut
a late hour when she heard the outside
door close and Cortlandt's footsteps
mounting the stairs. She was glad he
had his own room and never entered
hers at such an hour, for even to talk
with him in her present state of mind
and body would have been more than
she could bear.
She was unreasonably. annoyed there
fore, when he came boldly into hel
chamber without even knocking.
Rather late for good night" she said
coldly.
1--WE just come from Anthonys sup
per party"
His voice made her look round sharp.
ly. She saw that his linen. ordinarily
stiff and immaculate, was sodden and
crumpled. his collar limp. his forehead
glistening with drops of moisture.
what ailS you, Stephen?' she cried
"Have you been drinking?"
mo. didn't drink much brought
you sOmething.''
He took the loving cup from its
flannel bag and set it upon the table
'They gave me this.
"And this too He tossed the watch
with it's enameled monogram into her
lap.
"Ah! That's very handsome"
eyes. l thought you'd like it. It's
from Anthony" He laughed, then
shuddered
why, you seem excited over these
souvenirs. You surely expected
He broke ina thing he rarely did
while she was speaking:
Anthony made a speech when he
gave it to me-a very nice speech, full
of friendship and love and gratitude"
He repeated Kinks words as he re-
membered them. What do you think
Of that?''
Mrs Cortlandt's eyes widened. This
was not the man she knew. At this
moment he was actually insistent. al
most overbearing. and he was regard
ing her with that same irOnical sheer
that had reused her anger earlier in the
evening.
He began to chuckle, apparently
without reason. His shoulders shook
feebly at first, then more violently
His fat chest heaved. and he hiccough-
ed as if from physical weakness. 1t
was alarming, and she rose, staring at
him affrightedly. He continued to
shudder and shake in uncomfortable
hysteria. but his eyes were bright and
watchful.
ooh, I-I-took it all in-I let him
p-put the moose around his own neck |
and tie the knot. Then l hung him.
His convulsive giggling was terrible.
forecasting, as it did. his immediate
breakdown.
"Stephenw she exclaimed. in a
shocked tone, convinced that his mind
was going you are ill. You need Il
DOCTOR / will call Joceel." She laiG
her hand on his arm. won't you go
to your room and let me call doctor?'
mot yet. Wait! He told them what |
l had done for him. / acknowledged it
all and made them hear it from my
lips too. Them He paused, and she
steeled herself to witness another spec
tacle of his pitiable loss of self control. |
But instead he grew icy and corpse
like, with lips drawn back in grin. |
Il played with him the way you have
played with me. Think
Her face went suddenly ashen.
"Well, ! told him before them all
that | intended to give him something
in return, and l did. I-gave-him- |
you.'