Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-02
v-{Conunued.)

CHAPTER v-(Continued-)
Bruce started out Of sleep with a
ludicrous sense Of surprise that the
music had ceased without his hearing
its conclusion. He was certain that
he had drowsed only a few moments.
at. most. But the villa was very
ariet, and the rays Of light from his
window no longer checkered h gar
denis darkness. Had he. then, slept a
long time The electric lamp still
burned in his own room. and shone
across his balcony. Noting this, he
first perceived that a man was seated
on the broad railing opposite his
chair; a man whose white garments
oneness of hue with the white pillar
against which he leaned rendered him
indistinguishable to a casual glance.
His dark profile "a similarly shell
tered by the night darkness, as he
Eazed across h garden. But Bruce
recognized him, nom the less; not so
much by feature, perhaps. as by the
mans characteristic effect Of stiffness
that suggested force rather than re-
pose. .
General Eoel-Your Excellency
-" he stalnmered, starting to rise.
Noers gray glance flashed across
the dark toward his guest.
sit down, Mr.. Bruce" he invited,
speaking in English. "And as every
one else calls me Dom David you
might as we'll begin to accustom your
American tongue. You have been
made comfortable, l hope?"
Through his surprise at Noels Eng
lish speech, his doubts and wonder,
the dominant gratitude struggled to
the surface Of Bruce's mind.
My eyeglasses he essayed. "You
do not know-you cannot imagine
what they meant to me. To be half
blind for months, and then, then!
And you must have sent for them to
the Did camp where my traps were "
Eyes. ] sent a rider over" corro-
borated Noel.
He did not smile al the grotesque-
ness Of the gratitude which thanked
him for a pair Of spectacles and
omitted mention of being taken from
a prison, clothed and fed. He had
met many sorts and conditions Of
men, and he had made his estimate
Of this one. He understood quite we'll
what lay in the mind of the gaunt
young man who peered a%nxiously at
him through those round. black
1rimnfed glasses. He lifted to his lips
the cigar he held, looking at>the dark
sky. and waited.
Thank you, Dom David"
lOu are "SiCOlIlCp NIL. Dk NV ~
you not smoker"
Bruce turned to the smoking-table
that had beef left at his elbow. after
dinner. He VIGOROUSLY lighted a cigar
cite. rather for something to do than
because he wanted to smoke. Noel
continued to regard the sky during
the process.
That is better" he approved. when
the other had finished. I'VE never do
a 4, xy<Hi ~ fa fhsn 1NHSatnSv S,S<h mt
smoking or drinking coffee!'
You speak English like a native"
Il am a New Yorker"
But, but stammered Bruce.
amazed beyond conference, II thought
"Yes; many people do. 1 have :wo
countries. equally native to me. No
doubt Valdez will tell you that story;
if you stay here"
The Significance Of the last phrase
was like a dropped barrier between
the w men. Bruce WINGED and
shrank. He thought it to be the fis
step toward the revealmsnt Of that
purpose for which the prisoner had
been brought here.
"Valdez?" he echoed. with a panic.
born effort to postpone the ultimate
understanding.
"A young gentleman who 10 good
enough to be my hard-worked secre-
tary. His father is now governor OF
this state"
Bruce stared at the speaker With q
new view Of the NJ for whom the
governors son was willing to serve ar
la clerk. He wondered IL Noel had
told him that fact with intent to i'm
press his own power. Hardly, he
been worth while; besides, it was su-
per1uous!.
"Yes?" he murmured.
Noel smiled. a white flash like thai
his eyes had sent across the dark.
You feel the Devil bargaining 70,
your soul. do you not. Mr.. Bruce:
work must be done by tho prisoner
You want to know what underhane
You have. been thinking since tina,
morning We met in >the prison. Yor
were a little slow to suspect. then
but you have collected ideas since
You ave even sounded Benito! Yes
have seen him since your return,
You have decided what o are III
against; and think you have sur.
rendered! The thing was well man
aged?a The change from you cell II
this house. the journey here after Ions
confinement, the liberty and comfort:
You have reflected hat for all THU
you must pay. Come, I give you bach
the question in your own mind: Whal
will you not do to stay where yol
are"
Mighty little" admitted Bruce
n1iserably honest and ashamed.
He put down his cigarette and
clutched his thin fingers in HIS hair;
head sunk. elbows on knees. in the
attitude grown second-nature durinl
bis months OF imprisonment. Hi
dumb. beaten expectancy reminded
the other nan ffresistibly OF 4 youns
collie he had bought from u brutal
master years before.
Mr.. Bruce, Iaonce owned Ans