Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-12-28
CHAPTER <.
The Other House.

CHAPTER X.
The Other House.
80 many strange things had hap
pened that night to Forbes that he
wss no longer aDie to sense the tingle
known ~ excitement. He was con-
\ scious OF . blunted wonder, like that
OF . man on o stricken ship. He fol-
lowed Crawford into the hall and M
the first flight.
shes probably asleep" said Craw-
ford; ..but no matter. ought not to
bother ct ALL" He pressed the bell
button. duty. It reads well, Mort,
but ID there anything else than bitter
ness In It? Duty, moral obligation.
Whoever said duty was pleasure to
perform was hunting for what writer's
call lines"
Moral obligations. A woman prob
ably asleep. Forbes waited, bending
his cane back and forth, like . fencer
testing his steel. Duty was bitter.
What about his?
BY and BY . voice said sleepily:
"Who 10 TT"
Crawford. Let me in"
Just 2 moment"
Another visit. She was probably put
ting on her hmono, doubtless the pref.
tiest one. But for the door-boy!
What's that!" whispered Crawford.
Il didn't speak"
II thought heard you say some
thing"
The door swung In. Forbes beheld
. young woman, pretty once upon q
time. Crawford pushed him In.
"A friend Of mine. Netty; Mr..
Forbes
She repeated the name vaguely. It
was quite evident that she was half
asleep.
am going sway on one of my long
trips in the morning. didn't have
time to see you today. Made up my
mind late. Now. Mr.. Thane ut the
bank has been Instructed to give you
two hundred month. have turned
over enough bonds to carry you along
indefinitely. Don't write. You know
how hate letters. I am tired. worn
out, unhappy"
you're fool. Jim Crawford
II know It, Netty."
"A loyal, honorable, kindly fool5
and only God and know how good
you are
He made gesture Of protest.
II went to her again last week. She
refused to see me"
You dared 90 to her after had Ton.
hidden you" angrily.
II don't care. shes . silly fool"
"Good-by. Netty. II ], stay and talk
shall lose my temper. Good-by."
She tried to kiss his hand. but DO
withdrew IL savagely.
EDO you hate me, Jim?s
mo, Nstty, Of coures not Take
care Of yourself: travel . little: don't
stick here time without end. It'll drive
you mad some day. Good-by. Come.
Forbes"
The tableau always remained vivid
In Forbes mind: the young woman.
her disordered hair, the white throat.
Crawford's haggard eyes.
Once more in the cab, no found
speech. "In Gods name, what's this.
Crawford? You, with second estab-
lishment?"
think so! Mort, love truth for
its own sake; It's part of the pride In
my blood. She II nothing to me, never
has been. A bit of loyalty to the dead.
MY nurses daughter, foolish and ro-
mantle. And man trusted. !.
Oh. well, he's dead. 1t was my moth.
err wish that should always provide
for her. shall always do. 30, whether
/ return TO America or not, ~=As.Ae. J
live or die. Do you believe me?"
"I'm going to try to-"
Eyes. yes; understand. It 10 hui
man to look less for virtue than for
transgression. All this property round
here is mine. The people live close to
the blinds. / do not come often; once
IN six months; but that once 10 enough
for the rabbit.warren Of scandalmong-
ers. It's rather hard on that young
woman; but she is made Of the stun OF
martyrs, and she never speaks Of me.
nor seeks me. Whose business IL t but
xz..as, mine? Damn all meddlers! -
with : fury which brought Forbes out
Of his lethargy.
Same here" he said. Where was
the Florentine box; under the seat?
And how had he done 1t? The iron
nerve Of the man. 70 have taken such
risks! And playing poker all that
time. ~ cool % you please! It took
: deal Of control not to whirl upon
Crawford and accuse him pointblank.
forbes. have never wronged .
{ soul in this world; I have never done
anything I'm ashamed Of. am not
+ even ashamed Of what did tonight.
Let's not play cat and mouse any
I longer. You know. and know you
know. You couldn't keep your eyes on
my hand. It was devilish hard on my
nerves to see you walk in. What took
from Mearson's safe was !. /. mine!"
Yours"
The cab wheeled into Broadway, out
Of quiet into noise. y block or two In
1iienCo. -
sI sent them On . wild goose chase.
70 get into the apartment was simple;
the safe was nothing. You know my
hobby, insane a It IL. hurt my hand
"a getting through the transom. Do
You care to know what was IN the
bo1s 4 packet Of letters. One mad
: day sent them back: and now one
mad night 20 like thief and re-
coyer them. You will say that I should