The Ordway new era., 1918-02-01
-rn.r seem. Impossible to your she

/ 0eman0e0. rl- IA.
~Utteriy impossibleI' r. 1p
sAnd to John7"
81 am speaking for myself and not
for my BROTHER" Stephen replied. Men
like him, who are assailed by certain
madness, are best left alone with It
That is why came to you to bargain.
II 1 could. Is there anything that you
lack-anything which your own sue
cess and your lover. or lovers, have
failed to provide for you7"
It was useless to try to rise; she
was powerless In all her limbs. Side
by side with the anger and horror that
his words aroused was sense Of some
thing almost grotesque. something
which seemed to force an unnatural
laugh from her lips.
$50 you want to buy me OFT"
81 should be glad to believe that 1t
was within my power to do so. I have
not Johns great fortune. but have
money, the accumulated savings Of
lifetime, for which have no better
purpose. There Is one more thing, too.
to be said"
Another charger
"Not that" he told her; ''only 1t is
better for you to understand that If
you turn me from your house this
morning. I shall still feel the necessity
of saving my brother from you."
"Saving him from met" she eH-
claimed, rising suddenly and throwing
out her arms. "Do you know what
YOU are talking about7 Do you know
that II I consented to think Of your
brother as my husband, there Is not
man in London who would not envy
him7 Look at mel 1 am beautiful, am
not? / am a great artist. I am Lou
ise Maurel, and 1 have made myself
famous by my own work and my own
genius. What has your brother done
in life to render him worthy Of the
sacrifice I should make If I chose to
give him my hand7 You had better
go back to Cumberland. Mr.. Strange
wey. You do not see life as we see 1t
up herei'
"And what about John7" he asked,
without moving. "You tempted him
away. Was 1t from wantonness, or do
you love him?"
'Love him?" she laughed. ~ hate
|
ignorant people. hate the moment I
ever saw either of you. Take John back
with you. Take him out of my life,
There is no place there for himi"
Stephen picked up his hat from the
sofa where 1t lay. Louise remained
perfectly still, her breath coming quick
ly, her eyes lit with passion.
Madam" he said, 81 am sorry to
have distressed you. but the truth
sometimes hurts the most callous Of
us. You have heard the truth from
land with me, II he will come. II he
will not"
''Take him with you'll" she broke In
fercely. "He will do as bid him-do
you heart II lift my little finger, he
will stay. It will be who decide.
"But you will not lift your little fin
GER" he Interrupted grimly.
"Why shouldn't I. Just to punish
your she demanded. 'There are
scores Of men who fancy themselves in
love with me. II choose, can keep
them all their lives hanging to the
hem Of my skirt. praying for a word, q
touch. can make them furious Que
day and penitent the next-wretched
always. perhaps. but can keep them
there. Why should I not treat your
brother in the same wayT
He seemed suddenly to dilate. She
was overcome vito a sense of some lat
ent power In the i,n. some command
ing influence.
Because" he declared. II am the
guardian of my brothers happiness.
Whoever trifies with 1t shall in the fu-
ture reckon with mel"
His eyes were fixed upon her soft,
white throat His long, lean fingers
seemed suddenly to be drawing near
to her. She watched him, fascinated.
She Yas trying to scream. Even after