Omaha daily bee., 1922-04-23

world. he had seen them; he Was Of them.
he had his part to play.
AnKiousiy the girls eyes shifted to her
father. and the majors expression as,oundsd
her. lie could only think OF one thing at
q time. that note TO Mrs, Rarilly must be got
out Of his head before anything else could
get In. and from the moment he knew this
TO be Stuart Clayton. Mai, Stark conceived
OF but q single AFFAIR 10 be discussed. Now
he raised himself to . mathematical per-
pendicular and halted Clayton on bis way 10
tho door.
Hold on. young man. Is that all you
have to enplain7"
that's all. Good night sir"
moi stop' Please inform me whether
It was you or your proxy who wrote that
Internal note7"
Motel" The suddenness OF IL staggered
Clayton.
Yes. to a married lady In my house
and sent It by Negro"
ITO Mrs Razilly7" the doctor calculated.
and by an angry nod Maj. Stark confirmed
his guess.
Behind his smile and back Of his amla.
blli,y the bearded physician carried both
teeth and claws. and he came near to show.
Ing them as he turned upon Clayton.
stuart" curtly. was that the difference
you spoke Of having with Mr.. Razillyl"
"Yes."
"why did you not tell me OF writing .
note? Then should never have brought
you here"
At the first signal Of danger old Nat drew
back to a safer distance from the window
and ,got ready to run. especially az DR..
Humphreys seemed to be also turning against
Mr.. Stuart. He saw that Clayton's face went
white. but he didn't look bit scared though
icular syllable hurt him.
"Dr. Humphreys. you need be ashamed
Of nothing l have done. Believe that Nov
Ill answer Maj. Stark" Instead Of retreat
ing he advanced a pace. Yes, Maj. Stark.
sent note to the lady whom had asked
to become my wife. My attitude towards
her is therefore clear. And did no. know
until she told me that she was married. This
afternoon came to Bennington in the hope
Of meeting her and saying that had loved
her In all honor and that she would be an
noyed by no further communications from
me- I now, make that statement to you
Maj. Stark. 1t is my apology. That ends
the matter, sir Understand me. that ends
it. Now I must get my horse and ride"
Four people-three white and one black
heard the majors outburst and Claytons
silencing retort. Momentarily the whites
stood dumb. while the wrought up Negro
shouted:
Mister Stuart you can't go no place.
You amt got nary hoss."
What" Clayton sprang to the window.
my sorrel's hitched at the graveyard"
mo. he aint'," Nat contradicted hatly.
Dat hoss done broke loose and galloped
back todes Marmion."
"Uncle Nat" Clayton seemed dazed and
helpless, are you certain 1t was my horse?'
"Yas. sub. knows yo' stockin.foot real
good. He's gone home"
As Clayton approached close to the win.
dow, Barbara shrank away and wondered 1t
the queer smile which now flickered across
his lips; for out Of the garden or out Of the
void. from somewhere or from nowhere. he
caught again the same Intangible breath Of
new mown hay which must hereafter remind
him Of her. He smiled and the smile passed-
a. the dream had passed. Yet because Of The
dream his voice came softer as he turned
to the irreconcilable Stark and said:
Major, must have your car at once TO
60 to Vicksburg."
"You don't get It,"
must have car. I'll buy it-or I'd
steal your car to serve Col. Yandell,"
20! Tom Yandell!" With a visible effort
the major 1erked back his mind to something
he had forgot. Take the car and 20. Get
away from here. I'll order Seymour to bring
it around"
Without conceding nod, old Stark 10.
volved on his stiff leC and cane to 10 hob
bling out Of the door. while Nat yelled after
him:
Major. o major seymos gone. Nobody
else can't drive dat car to Vicksburg-cept.
ing Miss Barbara"
Hush, Natl" Barbara pulled him down
and waited to hear what DR.. Humphreys wa.
saying. Stuart I'm sorry. How much time
have your"
None" He clenched his lips. "rvs
stayed too long,"
Do you know the vicksburg road?"
No. But I'll make 1t all right. Ny God.
doctor, I've got to make it"
Then Barbara hurried away from her win.
dow and dragged old Nat into the yard.
"Uncle Nat" she whispered, do precisely
what say"
Suttinly. Miss Barbara. suttinly."
"Call Mr.. Clayton now. Tell him that his
car is ready. Don't let father know, or even
Df. Humphreys or anybody. Lead Mr.. Clay.
ton to the front gate. My car will be waiting
under the big tree"
Egzactly, missy. egzactly. But Seymo
amt here, an no other niger"
Shut up! Do what tell you! Put Mr.