The Ely miner., 1916-01-28
SIXTH STORY

Ray Norris law office faced Willard
Falls engineering Office directly across
the court of the same skyscraper in
the city. The two young men had
become acquainted through their busi-
ness proximity, invitations had been
extended, calls exchanged, and the two
families were in a fair way of becom-
ing friends.
Ray Norris was a prosperous young
attorney, clean cut, handsome, ambi-
tious, and tenderly devoted to his wife.
Ii her husband was tenderly devoted
to her, she was infinitely devoted to
him.
Mrs. Fall on the other hand was
thirty-five; engrossed in her social du-
guardian of the morals of her set, who
was too busy with her many tasks to
grow old gracefully. Her husband,
'well-groomed, Duave and careless, was
known as lady's man, and already
disquieting rumors were reaching his
wife. On the morning on which our
story opens, Mrs. Fall had seen him
through the window, talking to a
pretty society bud, and had sent the
maid to call him back. There had
been a scene and he had left for his
Office in huff.
"'Lo Miss Foster. How're you this
fine morning? 1 hope your father is
better?" 1t was Norris talking to his
stenographer.
Good morning, Mr.. Norris. He's
some better, thank YOU" She was try
ing to be brave, and answered with an
attempt at cheerfulness that set her
head pounding violently, and made her
grasp at her desk for support. He
had thrown off his light top coat, and
without looking at her sat down, and
was in a moment deep in his morn
ing's mail. Some communication of
more than ordinary importance caused
him to stop in his envelope Sitting,
and he rose to confer with her upon it's
contents. Then for the first time he
looked at her, and knew from her
flushed cheeks and unnaturally bright
eyes that something was wrong.
why, Miss Foster!" he exclaimed
in genuine concern, "whatever's the
trouble? You look like the very dick
ems. What's up?"
''Oh, nothing" she answered, trying
to make light of his concern-"least-
wise, nothing that matters. Just a
bothersome cold, and little headache.
BY the way, is that that Smith & Hod-
son letter? What's the latest develop
ment this morning? What did they say
to your proposal to"
Never mind that for a moment.
Don't please try to turn the conversa-
tion off into that channel. You're ILL.,"
Il assure you, Mr. He made a
quick gesture indicative of his lnten-
and crossing quickly to where she
stood, took her pale, thin hands in both
of his, and noted with quick concern
that they were burning.
This will never do" he said grave
ly, and with emphatic earnestness.
And he repeated half aloud, half to
himself never, never do. I'm afraid
I've been bit of a brute lately, what
with the night work, Sundays, skimped
lunch hours" He disregarded her at
tempt to assuage his self-reproach,
and went on, But I'll see to that.
You're slated for vacation, and that
in short order. I'll make arrange
ments." He turned thoughtfully away,
and went back to his letters.
Willard Fall, across the court in his
Office, had seen Norris cross to where
Myra stood at her desk beside the
broad window, and an evil smile light
ed his coarse features as he noted Nor
ris take Myra's hands in his and hold
them the while he spoke solicitously to
her. Devoid of concern for the welfare
of his own help. he had not the finesse
to attribute another's concern to any
thing other than a personal motive,
and he felt a miserable elation at what
he considered Norris little game F"
His reflections were disturbed by the
slight, recurrent creaking of his door,
as of someone trying cautiously, inch
by inch, to open it unnoticed. He
sprang from his chair, strode with
swift soft steps to the door, pulled it
suddenly open, and CONFERENCE.-The
wife.
He bowed with mock courtesy at
her startled surprise at being appre-
hended, and spoke with more than his
usual JUNCTION.
so, my dear, spying on me, Ell?
Had l OWNED your coming, l might
have made preparations SOS not to
disappoipt your expectations
She turned, and had started to go,
when his voice again arrested her.
Your idol seems to have clay feet.
You indulge in the common fallacy
of imagining that every man you have
no intimate acquaintance with is a
model of propriety. No one who is
acquainted with your reputation as the
watchdog of society"-here he grinned
would ever believe you to be so
frightfully unsophisticated. Why it
was only a short while ago, when
glancing casually out of this window
and across the court, l saw Norris