Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-11-02
Whitaker folded the paper and put Il
AWuN in n tnFl.lf

Whitaker folded the paper and put Il
away in II pocket.
'Go on, please" he said quietly.
IN those days. Mr. Embcr resumed,
81 did such things indiffercutly we'll. /
had little trouble in following the run
Always from southampton to Green
port. There they parted. He was want
ed for theft in former position, was
arrested, convicted and sent to Sing
Sing; where lie presently died, lm
CHAD to say. Miss LadislaS had
registered nj the Commercial house as
Mrs, Morton She was there, alone,
under that name, for nearly Il week
before You registered as Hugh Nor
ten, and in the space of Il few hours
married her, under your true name,
and shipped her off to New York
fright Whitaker agreed steadily.
"And them
Il traced her to the Hotel Belmont
where she stopped overnight, then lost
her completely; ana so reported TO
Mrs. Pettit. | came into little money
about that time, and gave up my huSi-
ness: gave it up, that is, as far as
placing myself al The service of the
public WAS concerned. After some time
Slr. Drummond- sought me out and
begged me to renew my search for
Mrs. Whitaker; YOU were dead he told
me; she was due to come into your
cslute---a comfortable living for an in
dependent woman
mond-?'
Whitaker leaned over the table,
studying the mans face with intense
interest.
"No-and yes. l found Mrs. Whit
aker. l didn't report to Drummond.'
But why-in heavens Nance
Ember smiled comberly at the droop-
ing ash of his cigar. There We're sew
,rnl reasons. In the first place didn't
have to: had asked no retainer from
Drummond, and | rendered no bill:
what | had found out was mine, to
keep or to sell, as chose. | chose not
Whitaker begged me not to-"
"Ah" Whitaker breathcd, sitting
back "WhyT
This was all Of year, I think,
after your marriage. Mrs. Whitaker
had tasted the sweets of independence
and-got the habit. She had adopted
n profession looked upon with abhor-
renee by her family. She was already
successful in Il small way. had little
need of the money she would get as
claimant Of your estate. She enlisted
my sympathy and--I held my tongue
THAT was decent of YOU
The man bowed a quiet acknowledge
ment. 81 thought you'd think SO.
There was Il third reason
lie paused, until Whitaker encour-
aged him with "Yes-?'
MIR. Whl,akcr"-thc query came
point-blank-"do you love your wife,
Whitaker caught his breath. what
right he began, and checked alb
ruptly. The blood darkened his lean
checks.
Mrs. Whitaker gave me to under
stand that you didn't. II wasn't hard
To perceive, everything considered, that
your motive was pure Chivalry
otlSm. / should like to go to my grave
with anything half as honorable and
unsolhsh to my credit
II beg your PARDON Whitaker nut
tered thickly,
"You don't, lhcn?"
love her? No.
There was n slight pause. Then, 81
do" said this extraordinary man, meet
ing Whtakcr'S gaze openly. II do"
he repeated, flushing in his turn. but
hopelesSly E. However,
that was the third reason" he pursued
In Il more level voicc-"l thought you
ought to know about it--that induced
me to keep Sara Laws secret.
| loved her from the day found her.
She has never looked twice at me.
But that's why never lost in
tercst."
you mean" Whitaker took him up
ditiidently--"you continued to--ull-!"
"Court hcr--as we say? No. EN-
ber's shoulders, lifting, emphasized the
disclaimer. I'm no fool. / have had
the sense not TO invite the thunderbolt.
She doesn't know 1t, unless Max told
her against my wish; but 1t was ! who