Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-18
HEART OF THE SUNSET
BY REX BEACH
copprisAt. 1916 ~ Rorser = brothers
CnArrER xx1x-tContinuedl

CHAPTER xxIX--t tContInued)
TIE FELT called upon 70 tell Alaire the
IL truth about himself; but with her in hts
arms he had no strength OF purpose her
every endearment made him the more
aware Of his weakness. Again he asked
himself when and how he could bear to tell
her? Not now. Certainly not now, when
she was trembling under his caressea,
"Ive been busy too" she was saying. II
sent Juan to tho village 20 learn the news,
and It's not very nice. It's good we stopped
here He says Nucvo Pueblo has been de-
stroycd and the Federal forces are all NOV
Ing south, away from the border SO our
troubles aren't over vet We must reach
the river tonight"
Yes, by all means"
Juan Is going with us as guide"
You arranged everything while !
snoozed, chr I'm ashamed Of myself
Alaire nodded, then pretended TO frown
darkly you ought TO be-" she told him
while you were asleep l read your mall
and"
My mali?" Dave was puzzled.
EXACTLY. Have you forgotten that your
pockets were full OF unopened lettcrs7'
oh those They came just rs I was
leaving Jonesville and | haven't had my
clothes on"
'1'm going to read all your love letters
she told him, threateningly
Yes, and you're going to write all Of
them. too" no laughed.
But she shook warning finger IN his
face. 81 told you I'm n Jealous person. lin
going TO know all about you past present
and future, l."
"Alalre My darlnE" he cried, and his
face stiffencd as II with pain.
Still in a Joyous mood. she teascd him.
you had better trcmble. I've found you
out, dcceiver. | know who YOU really arc"
who am | 2"
Don't you know7'
Dave shook his head,
Really Have you never read your
mothers wlll7"
Law rose TO his elbow, then swung his
legs to the floor. What arc you talking
about7' he asked.
For answer Alaire handed him the frayed
envelope and its contents,
He examined Il and then said. heavily.
~ see | was expecting this. II seems 1'vo
been carrying II around all this time"
why don't you read itT" sho insisted
There's light enough there by the window.
I supposed you knew nll about II or l
wouldn't have jokcd with you"
He opened his lips to speak, but. seeing
something In her eyes he stepped to the
window and read swiftly. A moment and
then he uttered n cry.
"Alairel" he exclaimed. hoarsely. READ
this My eyes God!"
Wonderingly Rhe took tho sheets from
his shaking hands and read aloud the para
graph he indicated:
Fifth: | beaueath to my adopted son.
David, offspring of the unfortunate Amer
lean woman who died In my house ut Es-
covedo-
Again Dave cried out and knelt at
Alairo's feet, his arms about her knees, his
face buried In her dress His shoulders
were heavlng and his whole body WAS
rRCltcd with sohs
Shocked. frightened Alnire tried 20 raise
him, but he enclrced her in a tighter em-
brace.
Dave What is It? What have done7"
she lmplored. Have hurt you SOP"
It was long time before he could make
known the Significance of that paragraph,
and when he finally managed TO tell her
about the terrible fear that had lain so
heavily upon his soul II was In broken,
choking words which showed his deep emo
tion. The story was out at last. however,
and he stood over her transhgured.
Alaire lifted her arms and placed them
upon his shoulders Were you going 10
give mo up for that?-for n shadow"
Yes had made up my mind
wouldn't have dared marry you last night.
butt never expected to see today's sun.
didn't think It would make much differ
ence. II was more than n shadow. Alalre.
II was real. was mnd-stark, staring
mad--or in n fair way OF becoming so. /
suppose broodod too much. Those violent
spells, those wild moments l sometimes
have, made me think II must be true
dare say they are no more than temper
but they seemed to prove all that Ellsworth
suspected"
you must have thought me n very cow
ardly woman" she told him. "It wouldn't
have made the slightest difference to me,
Dave We would have met II together when
It came, just as Wen meet everything now
s-you and |. together"
} MY wife !" He laid his lips against
her hair,
They were standing beside the window, |
speechlesB, oblivlous TO all except their great |
love- when Dolores entered to tell them that
supper was ready and that the horses were |
snddled