The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-10-26
CHAPTER lv-Contlnued.

tnat nOt-c0ld c0nfuSlOn, hat uncOm
Portable scorching fog of mood. TIT
cab turned into Fifth avenue and be
came a scale in the creeping serpent
Of vehicles that glided, paused, and
glided again past the thronged pave
ments. Prosper contrasted everything
with the grim courage and high
pitched tragedy OF France. He could
not but wonder at the detached frivol-
ity Of these money-spenders, these
spinners in the SUI How soon would
the shadow fall upon them, too, and
with what change Of c~ountenance
would they look up To him the JOY
BUSINESS seemed almost childish and
yet he bathed his tagged spirit in 1t.
How high the white clouds sailed, how
blue was the midwinter skyl How
the buildings lowered, how quickly
the people stepped Here were the
pretty, painted faces, the absurd silk
stockings, the tripping, exquisitely
booted feet, the swinging walk, the
tall, upspringing bodies Of the women
he remembered. He regarded them
with impersonal delight, untinged by
any Of his usual cynicism.
1t was late afternoon when Prosper,
obedient to a telephone call from
Betty, presented himself at the door
Of Morena's house, just east OF the
Park, off Fifth avenue; a very beauti-
full house where the wealthy Jew
mad INDUCED his passion for exquisite
things. Prosper entered its rich dim
ness with a feeling Of oppression
that unanalyzed mood Of hot and cold
feeling intensified to an almost I'M
oearable degree. In the large carved
and curtained drawing-room he waited
for Betty. The tea-things were pre-
pared; there would be no further need
of service until Betty should ring.
Everything was arranged for ar unin-
terrupted ~tete-a-tete. Prosper stood
near an ebony table, his shoulder
brushed by tall, red roses, and felt his
nerves tighten and his pulses hasten
in their beat. 1.-The tall child . 4. .
her by that name SO often and never
without a swift and stabbing memory
Of Joan, and Of Joan's laughter which
he had silenced.
He took out the letter he had lately
received from Betty and re-read 1t
and, as he read, a deep line cut be-
tween his eyes. you say you will not
back unless / can give you more
than / have ever given you in the
past. You say you intend to cut your
self free, that l have failed you too
often, that you are starved on hope.
I'm not going to ask much more pa
thence of you. l failed you that first
time because l lost courage; the sec
ond time, fate failed us. How could l
think that Jasper would get well when
the doctors told me that / mustn't al
low myself even a shadow of hopel
Now, / think hat Jasper, himself, is
preparing my release. This all sounds
Ike something in a book. That's be-
you've hurt me. l feel frozen
Up. / couldn't bear 1t If now, just
when the door is opening, you failed
Prosper, you are my lover for
aren't you? l have to believe
hat to go on living. You are the one
hing in my wretched life that hasn't
ost its value. Now, read this care
ully l I'M going to be brutal. Jasper
as been unfaithful to me. l know it.
have sufficient evidence to prove 1t
q a law court and l shall not hesitate
O get a divorce. Tear this up, please.
low, of all times, we must be ex-
raordinarily careful. There has never
cen a whisper against US and there
lustn't be. Jasper must not suspect.
counter-suit would ruin my life. l
lust talk 1t over with you. I'll see !
on once alone-just o~nce-before / !
ave Jasper and begin the suit. We
lust have patience for just this last :
It. 1t will seem very long f. :" !
Prosper folded the letter. He was !
)nscious Of a faint feeling of sick l
ess, of fear. Then he heard Betty's /
across the marble pavement Of Z
Ie hall. She parted the heavy cur
ms, drew them together behind her, ?
Id stood. pale with joy, opening and
her big eyes. Then she came
meet him, held him back, listening q
r ny sound that might predict In
Eruption, and gave herself to his II
ms. She was no longer pale when he G
t her go. She went a few steps away :"
ID stood with her hands before her Il
ce, then she went to sit by the tea v
BILE. They were both flushed. Betty's p
were shining under their fiutter- d.
3 lids. Prosper rejoiced In his own 81
The mental fog had lifted al
d the feeling Of faintness was gone. II
decided not TO break away fs
Them" she asked. giving
n a quick glance. In
He shook his head. mot II what 70
u have written me is true. I've had In
rh letters from you before and I've h
,wn very suspicious. Are you sure sh
s timer" He laid stress upon his ia
terness. It was his one weapon OF
her and he had been sharpen II,
1t with q vague purpose. pc
Oh" said Betty, speaking low and tn
Jasper is fairly caught. 1 ar
7e a reliable witness in the girls ap
i'd. There is no doubt of his guilt,
none. Everyone is talking Of va
He has been perfectly open In his dfl