Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-12-29
The Palace
Of Darkened
Windows
By.
MARY
HASTINGS
BRADLEY

captain kerisSen, you make it i'm
possible for me to like you at all.
Why do YOU trsat me like this? You
slut rue in this house like prisoner.
III YOUTH you care for me ut all
stammered Arlec, you would not
treat me so!'
And how, then. would l treat
you?" he inquired slowly.
You would--you would take me to
my own people and give me back my
Independence. my dignity. Then there
would he, honor lin your--your court
ship. -
Would YOU come back to me-
-
The lie choked her. And the pas
sion OF anger which had fiafed in her
that afternoon sprang up In flame
again; the candleliGht showed the
hot blood in her cheeks. II shall not
come to- you if you keep me here."
she gave back fearlessly.
but here can come to you. And
the preiiminaries are always stupid
have no desire to re-enact them
am well content with where we
have arrived. Be content, also"
She stared back at his smiling face
And all She thought was shall / de-
~ him now, or try to hold him off a
little longerI' She had ceased TO feel
afraid her blood was on fire: it was
hattie now between them; perhaps n
battle Of the wits little longer,
chem.
I'm America men do not make love
by force" she flung ut him. YOU are
smitd. Captain kerissen! You will be
ttscrry IL YOU go on like this. II YOU
I,wisii to- mary me You must give me
the freedom of choice. You must give
me time. must have a minister of
t my own faith. Do you think / will
submit TO this? You make me hate
you.y
Hate is often love with a mask"
he laughed. his eyes fixed on the
spirited, flushed face. tile flashing
eyes, the defiant mouth. "And do not
quote youh' America to Inc. You are
done with America
'You say that? You forget who
am. My brother-I tell you my
brother will"
DO | not know the Msks?" His
seyes narrowed 'But your brother
Mil ask in vain. He will not see yonA
Until we reappear as husband and
wife, will take you to the CONT
nent. then will give you everything
~ woman wants, luxury and jewels
the pearls of my ancestors will
2flang on you. These have no woman
of mine worn. You shall be nv
adored, my dearest OH You must
not turn from me-" he pleaded. his
Voice sinking softer and softer as he
stole closer, to her you know that
4 am mad for YOU You have be-
witched me. little Rose, you have
made me strong and weak in
breath. I am clay in your hands. BE
sweet, be kind, be wife to me"
His hot hand gripped her arm. He
bent over her, and she sprang back.
her hands flung out before her.
oh. watt" she cried beseechinglyi
wait please wait"
Wait? I have waited too long,"
Ills voice was a snarl now. The mask
OF indolent mockery was gone; his
face was stamped with cruelty and
greed. Nom dun nom, l Am thru
with this waiting!"t
She sprang back before his APP
7proach, then whirled about to face
him. trying to beat him back with
words, with reason. with appeal In
sanely he laughed and clutched at
her as she flew past his outstretched
arms; in the corner he pinioned her
against the wall and gripped her to
him
Terror gave her the strength of
two--and his hand was bandaged.
Desperately she attacked it, and as
his laughter changed to curses, she
wrenched free once more and few
across the room. With both hands
she seized the candles and flung them
into the pillowed divan. Like magic
last two to the ,draperies. Like magic
the little flames zigzagged up the
cotton hangings.
He threw himself upon the fire,
tragging down the hangings, beating
on the cushions, but the corner was
ablaze. Overhead the flames seized
cracking on the dry wood and darted
little red tongues over the dry sur
face and scarlet snake ran out over
the carved ceiling
In utter wildness Arlee had car
ried the last candle to the open ham
per and the garments there caught
instant fire. She was oblivious of the
sparks falling about her, oblivious OF
the increasing peril. Whey1 Kerissen
ran to the. door, tearing open the
bolts, furiously cursing her, she gave
him back the ghost of his earlier
hooking laughter and threatened him
with blazing cloth as he turned to
drag her from the room.
But the fire reached her fingers
and she flung the cloth at him, to
have him trample it under foot as he
sprang toward her again.
Would you be burned - be
marred2' he shouted at her. You
are mad, you"
Behind him the door opened. Be
hind him a tall figure appeared thru
the thickening smoke. She saw
face she knew; voice she knew
cried out her name:
"Arlee!"
"Oh, here!" she cried and flung
herself toward him.
Not unless you want another?"
said Billy 3. Hill to the captain,
turning his gun suggestively.
One tense instant the three faced
each other In that flaming room, then
with a sound OF impotent fury, ker.
Essen turned and darted out the door.
But as Billy turned to follow, his
nand on Arlee's. there was a sound
Of sliding bolts.
Burn. burn. then! Burn togetherl"
called a hoarse voice thru the wood.
Hill flung himself against the door: