The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-01-13

She broke away from him hotly
after he had taken the flushed face be-
tween his hands and kissed her; broke
away to drop into the chair at the
other side OF the table. hiding the
flashing eyes and the burning cheeks
and the q~uivering lips In the crook OF
a round arm which made room for II.
self IN the narrow table by pushing
the japanned m~oney-box on the oppo-
site edge.
II was the normal Griswold who
picked up the box and put II on the
other chair. ~gravely and methodically.
Then he stood before her again with
his back to the wall. waiting for what
every gentle drop OF blood In his veins
was telling him he richly deserved.
His punishment vas long In coming;
80 long that when no made sure she
wal crying. he began to invite H.
Say IT," he suggested gently. you
needn't spare me at all. The only ex-
cuse could offer would only make the
oYense still greater"
She looked up quickly and the dark
eyes were swimming. But whether the
tears were OF anger or only OF outraged
generosity he could not tell.
Then there was an ~excuse?" she
flashed up at him.
NO" he denied. az one who finds
the second thought the worthier:
there was no excuse"
She had found a flmy BIT OF lace
bordered linen at her belt and was
furtively wiping her lips with II.
II thought perhaps you might be
able toto invent one Of some sort
she said. and her toni was az colorless
as the gray skies 81 an autumn night.
fall. And then. with a childlike appeal
In the wonderful eyes: II think you
will have to help me a little-out OF
your broader experience. you know
What ought ! TO do?"
His reply zane hot from the refining
fire OF disbursement.
You should write me down as one
who wasn't worthy OF your loving.kind
ness and compassion. Miss Grierson.
Then you should call the custodian
and turn me out"
"But a%fterward." she persisted
pathetically. There must be an after
ward"
~ am leaving Mereside this eve
Ming" he reminded her. 1T Will be
for you to say whether its doors shall
ever open TO me again"
She took the thin safety-deposit key
from her glove and laid It on the Ia
Bile.
You have made me wish there
hadn't been any money" she lamented
with a sorrowful little catch in her
voice TINT stabbed him like a knife. 81
haven't 80 many friends that ] can az
ford 10 lose them ~recklessly. MIR. Girls
void"
Damn the money!" he exploded
and the malediction came out OF a full
heart.
Her fingers had found the bell.push
and were pressing II. When the Gus
todian opened the door. Miss Griersor
was her poiseful self again.
Number ee.forty.hve.A is MIR
Kenneth Griswold's box. now" she an
nounced briefly. please register II In
his name. and then help him to put Il
away and lock II up"
Griswold went through the motion,
with the key.bearing young woman
half.absently. Man.like. he was ready
to be forgiven and comforted; ant
there was at least oblivion in hei
charming little Bhudder as the custo
dian shot the bolts OF the gate TO lei
them out.
"Br.r.r!" she %shivered, II can never
stand here and look at the free people
out there without fancying myself II
a prison. II must be n dreadful thinl
TO be shut away behind bolts and bars
forgotten by everybody. and yet your
self unable TO forget. Do you evei
have such foolish thoughts. Mr.. Girls
wold?"
For one poignant second fear leapeC
alive again and he called himself NJ
better than a lost man But the eye,
that we're lifted TO his we're the eyei
OF a questioning child. SC guilelessly In
nocent that he Immediately suffered
another relapse into the pit Of self-de
spisings.
You have made me your prisoner
Miss Grierson," he said. speaking 4
his " thought rather than TO he.
question. And when they reached thu
sidewalk and the trap: May | bid yol
good.by here and go to my own placer
"Of course mott" she protested. Mr.
Raymer is coming to dinner tonigh
and he will drive you over TO Mrs. Hol
combs afterward. II you really thinl
you must GO"
And for the first time In their com
ings and goings she let him lift her {,
the high driying.seat.