Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-08-30
The Gift
Supreme
By
George Allan England
y Author of
Darkness and Dawn"
1.-THE Alibi," etc
CHAPTER XIV.

The library of the austere house Of
jVinton. In that severe. formal room.
ranged round with classics and the
treasures of generations of billion
philes. two persons We're in confer
ence-Eliot Ninton and Martha, his
wife.
The shipmaster was sitting In his
big leather chair, under the glow of
the reading lamp. His thin, hard
features seemed to have relaxed a
little. A look OF satisfaction, as Of
some duty we'll performed, softened
their puritanical severity. One might
even have read a certain expectancy
In his stern eyes. He seemed to he
listening, waiting. Something al
most like a smile curved his thin
lips as he answered Mrs. vinton's
question::
Yes, my dear. something has real-
ly been accomplished at last. I have
done, it myself. We are sure to have
results, now. in very short time"
You mean he's coming back, Ell
iot?" the mother queried as she stood
there at the other side of the table.
her hands folded. her eyes intently
fixed on her husband.
Nothing less"
THANK God! 1t seems too good to
be true! How have You brought it
about? What have you done?"
Nothing, my dear" answered the
shipmaster, nothing but to discover
the truth about the woman, and to
force her to admit it. That was not
difficult. I presented her with facts
she could not deny. Then exacted
a promise from her to relinquish
Bradford. l know she will keep that
promise. She must. under pain of
public exposure. There is nothing else
for her to do"
You've seen her, them" demanded
Martha eagerly. "What-what kind
of "a"
do not ask me-" Eliot interrupted,
raising veinous hand. II have seen
her yes. Beyond that prefer to tell
you nothing"
But. Eliot" the mother persisted
this affair. I must know! What did
did you find out about her? What is
she guilty off"
mo. no. never can inform you."
NE refused, pursuing his bloodless lips.
II respect your sensibilities too highly
to furnish you with any details. It Is
all something which we, as respec-
table members of the better class.
must not even consider-somethin
quite too terrible for words!"
Silence fell. Even had the, mother
dared to press her queries further,
she knew they would be futile.
With bright eyes and an unusual
color in her cheeks, she looked adj
miringly at her husband. How mast
erful he seemed to her, how strong,
how calm. how right! She thrilled at
the thought, that she bore this mans
name. Coming round the table to him
she laid hand on his thin shoulder,
and patted 1t with an unusual betray-
al of emotion.
Elliot said she, till now. rye
never fully realized your strength.
I've never fully appreciated your
wonderful force Of character. What
you've done to RESCUE Bradford re-
veals you to mel"
Kindly he took her hand in his, and
smiled up at her.
II have only acted as vinton
must" he answered. Remember,
noblesse oblige!"
I understand" said she. "But tell
me, when do you expect him back?
It may be weak OF me to feel so am
xious and to be so impatient. Per-
haps it's foolish: but-1'm his mother.
Eliot. and I'm so anxious!"
do not distress yourself, my dear.
He will return very soon-no later
than tomorrow. at the outside,
feel sure"
"As soon at that!"
"In all probability. yes." he as
sured her. Perhaps even to-night."
She clasped his hand to her breast
with an instructive, mothering ges-
ture.
Tonight? It that possible ~
Quite possible. If he goes to see her
this evening. as suppose he will
yes. 1t Is more than possible. It is
quite probable he may return at
once"
Silence, again; and again that
waiting, listening expression fell on
the old shipmaster's face Instinc-
lively his eyes turned toward the IL
barry door. His wife, leaving him,
walked . to the front window, which
gave on Marlborough street, drew
back the curtain. and looked out. As
she stood there, eight deep timbered
strokes from the ancient clock on
the stairway vibrated thru the house
Seeming almost anNecho of the last
bell-stroke, muffled shock rever-
berated from the lower hallway as
the big outer house-door swung
shut. They had not heard it open.
had not heard the rattle of Brad
ford's latch-key in the lock; but now
the dull shudder of the doors impact
cried to their hearts:
HE has come back! He is here!"
Despite al their long training in
the suppression Of their emotions, the
inarticulate message thrilled them to
the core. Eliot leaned little forward
in his chair, both corded hands grip
ping its arms. His eyes blinked ner-
vously behind their spectacles. His
lips frightened; his jaw set. Martha,
turning quickly, peered at the library
door.
you don't suppose" she began
The shipmaster nodded.
Nobody else has a latch key" he
answered. "The servants always use
the rear entrance. Yes, you see my
prophecy is coming tyGe!"
Mrs Vinton started suddenly to-
ward the doorway.
"Martha!"
"What is it?"
Come back" he ordered, beckon-
ing.
She paused, not understanding.
What for?' she demanded. TIN
going to meet him!"
mo, no, not step!" b, forbade
her. "You must not!"
"MuSt mt 2" "A 1rnnHv fhnIy hnord