Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-07-19
% what wag, partienlarlx =


with some old, hard-hitting, rough
riding ancestor. Have your ambitions
changed, too?"
Il am not sure now that had any
ambitions in that other life"
sob, yes, you had" she went on
smoothly. In the other life as you
call it, you would have been quite
willing to marry a woman who could
assure you a firm social standing and
money enough to put you on a footing
with other men OF your capabilities
You wouldn't be willing to do that
now, would you?-leaving the senti-
ment out as you used to leave it out
then?
NO. I hardly think I should"
Her laugh was musicaIly low and
sweet, and only mildly derisive.
"You are thinking that it is change
of environment, wider horizons, and
all that, which has changed you, Mon
tague; but I know better It is a
woman, and, as you may remember, /
have met her-twice." Then, with
a faint glow of spitefuI fire in the
magnificent eyes: How can you make
yourself believe that she is pretty?"
He shrugged one shoulder in token
of the utter uselessness of discussion
in that direction.
"SentimentT' he queried. 81 think
we needn't go into that. at this late
day, Verda. 1t is field that neither
of US entered, OF cared to enter, in
the days that are gone. IF I say that
Corona Baldwin has-quite uncon-
sciOusly on her part, I must ask you
to believe = taught me what love
means, that ought to be enough"
Again she was laughing softly.
"YOu seem to have broadly forgot
ten the old proverb about a woman
scOrned. What have you to expect
from me after making such an admis-
sion as that?"
Smith pulled himself together and
stood the argument firmly upon it's
unQuestionable footing.
''Let US put all these indirections
aside and be for the moment merely
a man and a woman, as God made US,
Verda," he said soberly. "You know,
and I know, that there was never any
question of love involved in our rela-
tons past and gone. We might have
married, but in that case neither of US
would have got or exacted any
thing more than the conventional de-
cencies and amenities. We mustn't
try to make believe at this late day.
You had no Illusions about me when I
was Watrous Dunham's hired man;
you haven't any illusions about me
nOw.'
perhaps not" was the calm rejoin-
der. "And yet today I have lied to
save you from those who are trying
to crush you"
81 told you not to do that" he re-
joined quickly.
Il know you did; and yet, when you
went away this morning you knew
perfectly well that was going to do
it if should get the opportunity.
Didn't you, Montague?
He nodded slowly; common honesty
demanded that much.
every well; you accepted the serv-
ice, and I gave it freely. Mr.. Kinzie
believes now that you are another
Smith-not the one who ran away
from LawrencevilIe last May. Tell
me: would the other woman have done
as much if the chance had fallen TO
her?'
1t was on the tip of his tongue to
say, 81 hope not" but he did not say
it. Instead, he said: "But you don't
really care, Verda in the way you are
trying to make me believe you do"
POSSIBLY not; possibly I am wholly
selfish in the matter and am only look
ing for some loophole of escape"
Escape? From whomY
She looked away and shook her
head. "From Watrous Durham, let
us say. You didn't suspect that, did
you? It is so, nevertheless. My ia
Their desires it; and suppose Watrous
Durham would like to have my money
you know I have something in my
own right. Perhaps this may help to
account for some other things-fOr
your trouble, for one. You were in
his way, you see. But never mind
that: there are other matters to be
considered now. Though Mr.. Kfnzie
has been put off the track, Mr. Stan
ton hasn't. l have earned Mr.. Stan
tons ill-will because I wouldn't tell
him about you, and this evening, at
table, he took it out on me-"
I'm what way?"
HE gave me to understand very
plainly, that he had done something;
that there was a sensation in prospect
for all Brewster. He was so exult-
antly triumphant that it fairly fright
ened me. The fact that he wasn't
afraid to show some part Of his hand
to me-knowing that would be sure
to tell you-makes me afraid that the
trap has already been set for you"
''In other words, you think he has
gone over Kinzie's head and has tele-
graphed to Lawrenceville?"
Montague, I'm almost certain Of
itr'
Smith stood up and put his hands
behind him.
(which means that have only a few
hours at the longest" he said quietly.
And then: ''There is a good bit to
be done, turning over the business of
the office, and all that: I've been put
ting it off from day to day, saying that
there would be time enough to set my