The Washington herald., 1922-01-01

BY Kenneth B. Clarke

short scantiins Snder the broken hasp. lesvS
ing the prisoner incapable Of escape from
the windowiess shack
OF Bafclays stand IN the wretched mat
ter LAnham was suficientiy aware. It 70
mained for him 10 learn where Helen stood
He walked slowly back to the house with
strangely listIess droop Of shoulders and bead
She was kneeling In one Of the big leather
chairs when he came in. leaning asainr
the back of It and sobbinE with her faos IN
her arms. But hearing his step she spr.ns
UP to face him.
TELL me you do not think. Tss
words came with an impulsive cry. but ended
chokingiy in a flood OF humiliation. Lanhsn
heard her speak. but he could not have told
what it was she said. His thoughts were of
himself-what he had done, what he must
do now. He stood before her gazing down st
his tightened knuckles gripping his hat
1T II too late to say that Am sorry 10
began In q low. dead voice. Too hte-snl
too uttiel-
Helen put out her hand to check him. bot
he did not see.
Back there" be continued. Il honestly
thought a condition had come 70 both Of ~
where love would not count for happiness
And here / have been made wretched By
love for you!- he glanced at her wistfuily.
Every day has held its hours Of misery BE-
agreement and not with love. And you
God knows how i have mansled your
chances for happiness"
His words and manner were 20 utterly
simple and 90 devoid Of outward srdor that
the intensity Of his feeling and the open
svowaI in his confession were swept in upon
Helen slowly. They came 10 her with the
submerged power Of q wave that looms upon
q swimmer first as q barely perceptible mo
ton on the distant surface. then with the
lifting thrust Of mounting force until, with
. heart-stopping dip and a mighty hesve.
there IN q sudden ecstadc overwhelming,
She stood swayins slightly toward him Her
eyes were closed with dampened lsshss; her
cheeks were flushed and her lips were parted
Il heard what he said at the last Ian
ham went on. a. though steadied to c.rry
the matter through. And he Is right You
are alone. and probably sacrificing yourself
to stand by an impossible compact" For
the nrst time since he started speaking he
ner%ed himself TO look .t the girl steadily.
intently. do you wish to be free again?
For Gods sake. be frank with me! Do you
care for htm7 Does his appeal
Quickly Helen stepped to him and laid her
hand upon his. She disengAged his hat, and.
tossing II aside, gave him her other hand
Il do not care for him-eIcept with losth-
ing. And he is wrong where you think him
right; but in another way he is right do
stand waiting In . great readiness 10 live
Her hands frightened ever 30 slightly upon
the broad. firm palms that held them
Here! Nov!- she added. with an exultant
little break in her voice.
Lanham seemed not to understand at all
slow was his comprehension.
And you-my husband-are the only on.
that ever could touch the kindinE spark
You have already. And / think II was right
there on the hearth. that first morning. when
you stood looking at me like Arizona
Even then he could not speak. But thers
was little need. Dropping her hands he
gently. wonderingiy gathered her within his
arms. She did not wsver under his gaze.
and her face remained upturned to his a.
he lifted her to his lips.
II wonder" he said as they stood - the
open doorway with their arms intertvincd.
If 1t wasn't, after all the kindlins spars
that sent me over that trail two thousand
miles to find youI-
And / wonder Helen replied. IF the
Western art Of reading signs isn't greatly
overrated!-
A stealthy movement OF the blackxn tn
shop door caught LAnham's attention Th.
top. above the canted prop. swayed out IN
Jerks as from impatient pressure from w'th
IN. Then the lower corner bulsed outwar
and an iron bar protruded and gropei u.
certainly for a prying footing. LAnha-
smiled grtmly.
With one hand stn holding Heien's, b.
reached within the room and lifted a Ae;vr
Colt from a belt hanging over . peg A
throw from his shoulder sent a single sho,
crashing into the scantling propped again =
the shed. There was hurry Of splnters and
the door swung slowly open. LAnhsm 70
turned the gun to Its holster and stood Vs.
ing.
A long period OF inactive uncertainty FOL
lowed At the little shop. Then an open Ia n
was extended beyond the door frame In 9
gesture that both declared and pleaded for
amity. Barclay followed the hand out into