The Glenwood post., 1924-08-07
CHATTER XIX

Left. williams cupped light for his
cigarette, was absorbed momentarily,
% that Alberta first saw the quiet
opening Of the door. hrst saw the man
with the black kimono over his arm.
The instant Of horrided recognition
was uncomfortable. More awful because
Of what 1t stood for.
It was Bob. It-was-it-was-it-was
Bob had been that robe tho
darker skin he had been the
Japanese. Kayama. She would never
be able to explain things to Sander
son. Not after what the Japanese,
(What Bob ~ had said. And she had
urged him on. Never reinstate her
self. Never! She had no thought Of
Williams now. NeverI The sicken-
ing futility of that word made her
case the more desperate an
other moment Of this silence and she
would rave herself mad.
"The proof" Bob said very evenly
in his japanese voice.
Sanderson's head did not lift. He
was far away, he saw his Bob in that
strange land. so untterably alone.
Williams raised his head. The
match burned against the nail Of his
finger. charred, and went out. A
ghost 1t must be ghost. Some trick
of the japanese. He had heard that
they could produce phantoms
no 1t was real. His face wav-
cred between surprise and quick-com-
ing fear He was unable to speak. or
move his hand.
He tried to smile, achieved an up
turning of his lips in an expression.
that held steady, neither waxing nor
waning. He lowered his eyes, and
flxed them in desperation on point
at the tables edge. That point, what
ever 1t was, n speck of dust. perhaps,
seemed to grow and grow until 1t was
monstrous and burden intolerable
to endure. With great effort he
stretched out his hand toward Wells,
in greeting.
Alberta sat bold upright, trying to
reason out her misery with wide,
fearless eyes and a hand pressed to
keep down the tumult in her breast.
She attempted to speak, but could
only motion with fler dry lips. She
noticed for the first time the steel
hue Of Wells eyes, that had always
been SO brown and friendly.
Wells smiled, and Williams tried to
initiate him. His desperate grinning
made his jaws ache and his nails went
to his teeth-were lowered again to
his side as Wells took another step
into the room.
G~ndor~ou hol MT ,nn~AA
Wells, Ellen by his side, moved to
the edge Of his uncle's chair and. very
gently, touched the older mans shoul-
der.
"Uncle Jimi" he said.
His uncle looked up. So rapidly
: that his face was still In sorrow while
his eyes moved into the new express
sion Of joyful, half-unbelieving rap
ture; he stretched for Bob's hand,
srasped It convulsively, unable to
speak. But understanding.
Wells knees trembled ~ he turned
to Williams: Here's your proof,
Ray"
A gurgie Of attempted words
~Why-how-you-"
what do you think Of itY'
"I-we-glad to see you back"
"etill lying. Ray7 You would lie.
wouldn't your
"T-let me explain, Bob. If"
IF the proof had been paper%like
the proof you were looking for, and
preparing to perjure against-you lie
well, I'll say that for you, Ray-it'd
have been destroyed long ago. For it's
been rained on, and kicked, and spat
at; it's been left outside In all wealth
ers. I'll bet you wept when you were
told about me, you crocodilel"
His voice raised like wind in brass
tube, and he dropped his arm from
about Ellen and reached sudden
hand to Williams coat collar, whiriing
him out Of his chair and to his feet.
Unmindful of Alberta's whimper Of
protesting fright. Unmindful1 On
hearing, rather.
II promised you proof. You should
ask for proof" His hand hicked light
ly against williams cheek. Take q
good look at your proof, Ray. It was
4 sad affair, wasn't 1T You tried to
help me, didn't your" Hand against
oheek, hardor. You were 2 ~ o1
friend. you were !"
He stopped, brcathlsss, and released
he others collar. giarfng at him.
"Unels Sandy stop tAso
this IL no place = Al.
berta found her voice at last
Sandsrson's face was q picture; In
Anitalv nrin extraordinarily wise: he
blinked from below his shaggy brows
but made NO motion ~ II to speak or
interrupt. t ae "
williams wished that he might stsp
away :. farther from Bob. Dim.
", he heard Alhsrta's Its Bebl Bobl
=. don't let him hurt Ray. please
and - hs. also, must spsak.
y W Alberta BOP.