The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-03-03

now and then took 1t from his lips and
gestured with it between his fingers,
as he jerked some ejaculation across
the table.
Corvet leaned over to the frosted
window, as he had done when alone,
and looked out. Spearman shot COM
ment which made Corvet vince and
draw back from the window; then
Spearman rose. Corvet looked up at
him once and asked u question, to
which Spearman replied with a snap
of the burnt match down on the table;
he turned abruptly aud strobe from
the room. Corvct sat motionless.
The revulsion to self-contrul, some
times even to apology, which ordina-
rily followed Corvet's bursts of irrita.
ton had not come to him: his agita-
ton plainly had Increased. He pushed
from him his uneaten luncheon and
got up slowly. He went out to the
coat room. where the attendant hand.
ed him his coat and hat.
He WINGED us he stepped out into
the smarting. binding swirl of sleet,
hut his shrinking was not physical: it
was mental. the unconscious reaction
to some thought the storm called up
The hour was barely four o'clock, hut
so dark was it with the storm that
the shop windows were lit : motorcarS
slipping and skidding up the broad
boulevard. with headlights burning
kept their signals gathering con-
stantly to warn other drivers blindel
by the snow. The Sleet-Swept side
walks were almost deserted: here or
there. before hotel or one Of the
shops, Il limousine came to the curb.
and the passengers dashed swiftly
across the walk to shelter.
Corvet turned northward alous
Michigan avenue. facing into the gale
The Sleet beat upon his = face aud
lodged in the folds Of his clothing
without his needing 1t.
He continued to 80 north. He had
not seemed. in the beginning. to have
made conscious choice Of this tlirec.
ton: but now he was following 1t pur
pusely. He stopped once at Il shop
which sold mems things to make Il tel
ephone call. He asked for Miss Sher-
rlll when the number answered.: hut
he did not wish to speak to her. he
said: he wanted merely to be sure she
would be there if he stopped in 10
see her in half an hour. Then--north
again. He crossed the bridge. Now.
fifteen minutes later. he came in sight
of the lake once mnre.
Great houses, the Sheriff. house
among them, here fare the Drive, the
bride path, the strip Of park. and the
wide stone esplanude which edges the
lake. Covert crossed to this esplu-
made. He did not stop at the Sheriff.
house or look toward 1t. hut went on
fully Il quarter OF IL mile beyond it {;
then he came back. and with an oddly
strained and queer expression aud at
titude, he stood staring out into the
lake.
Suddenly he turned. Constance
Sheriff.. seeing him from window Of
her home. had caught cape about her
and run ont to him.
"Unclc Kenny" she hailed him with
the affecticnate name she had used
with her fathers partner since she
was n baby. "Uncle Benny, aren't
you coming in?"
Yes" he said vaguely. ayes. Of
course" He made no move but re-
manned staring at her. Connie" he
exclaimed suddenly, with strange re.
proach to himself IN his tone. Con.
MIC! Dear little Connie!"
"Why?" she asked him . "Unclc
Benny, what's the matter?"
HAS Spearman heen here today?"
he asked. not looking Mt her.
"ro see father?"
mo: to see you"
NO"
He seized her wrist. Don't see
him. when he comes" he commanded.
Uncle Benny"
Don't see him" Corvet repeated.
Hes asked you to marry him. hasn't
he:"
Connie could not refuse the answer
ayes"
"And you?"
"Why-why, Uncle Benny. I haven't
answered him YETI
"Then don't--don't, do you under
stand, Connlc?"
She hesitated. frightened for him.
"lll--rn tell you before see him, II
sou want me to. Uncle Benny" she
granted.
but IL you shouldn't be able to tell
mo then, Connie: IL YOU shouldn't
want to then?" The hIinility of his
look perplexed her; Il lie had been
any other man--any man except Uncle
Benny-she would have thought some
shameful and terrifying threat hung
over him: hut he broke of sharply.
III must go home" he said uncertainty
~ must 90 home; then I'll come back.