Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1925-01-17


They all came trooplng out. Myr-
tile got up to fetch her own cloak. hut
Gerald detained her. She stood by his
side, bidding good night to his guests
with him. The marquis frowned slight
ly as he made his adieux. The look in
his eyes haunted her for a moment az
he turned away. Then she was con.
scious of a curious sense of disturb
ance. She was alone with Gerald and
be was looking at her strangely.
you have been happy, MyrtileY'
Gerald asked, and his voice seemed TO
come from a long way off.
Wonderfully" she answered. 81
there is my cloak"
She moved toward the open door
leading into Gerald's suite. She
seemed suddenly torn by strange
medley Of sensations and memories
She saw Nadine pass through 1t, d.
sheyeled and indecent, with that back
ward glance at Gerald which. even to
her ignorance, seemed ugly. She
heard the voices of all Of them laugh
ing stridenty. Little half-under-
stood sentences puzzled her. She
passed into the sitting-room Gerald
followed, closing the door. The sound
of the music came quietly. MYRTLE
felt suddenly faint
You are tlredr' Gerald exclaimed
bending anxiousIy over her
She put her arms around his neck
like child.
Gerald" she whispered. take care
Of me. l am afraid Be good TO me
Gerald"
Their lips met. but there wss some
thing absent from the warm Joy Of
that first kiss, Side by side with her
happiness came the feeling of dlscord.
ant music all around her. Rank per
fumes seemed to hang In the air. A
ribbon from one of Madness discarded
garments lay upon her sofa. Yet when
Gerald leaned toward her and his
eyes sought for hers, a strange con
tent seemed to creep like a flood over
all these other things.
The door Of the sItting-room was
suddenly opened and closed. Chris-
TOPPER stood there. little breath
less, as though he had run up the
stairs, pale, and with a look in his
eyes from which both Gerald and
MYRTLE quailed-Gerald with fuller
understanding. His arms dropped. He
was nearer fear than ever before in
his life. Christopher spoke with mar.
velous calmness.
Gerald" he said, "were you think
ing Of breaking your trust?"
"Yesr Gerald answered hoarsely.
Drop this Don Quixote business
Christopher. I'm sick of IT,"
Christopher came a step nearer.
MYRTLE is coming back to her
lodgings with me- he announced
"She is going to England tomorrow
morning. Your sister has promised TO
take her"
But 1t is lmposslblew MYRTLE
cried passionately.
ut is arranged" Christopher de-
clared. Il went to your rooms to-
night, MYRTLE, to tell you. 1 received
Annette's lying message. I was told
that you were In bed and asleep.
left note. Then. for the first time
since have been here, went to the
club and stayed late. / heard your
guests downstairs speak Of your good
fortune, Gerald"
Gerald laid his hand upon Myrtlle's
wrist
Well" he said, what are you going
to do about lt?'
II am going to take MYRTLE home"
Christopher insisted.
II refuse to let her 60" Gerald dc.
clared
Christopher looked for momenr
away at MYRTLE. She chung to Gerald
like frightened child.
Listen" Christopher went on, "you
and | have been friends all our lives
Gerald. We know one another pretty
well. You know of me that / am a
man of my word, know Of you that
though you are selfish and worship
pleasure. you are white enough when
the hour strikes. The hour has struck.
Gerald. Let me take Myrtle home"
MYRTLE shall choose" Gerald pro.
posed.
MYRTLE shall do nothing OF the Sort
was the prompt reply. You might as
well ask her to choose the right path
through q strange city. Gerald old
chap, don't take this hardly. I am
not here to sling abuse at you. And
Myrtile-iust doesn't understand
Thank God / was in time .--Myrtile
fake your cloak
She clung to Gerald's arm, looking
anxiously into his face. Something elsa
discordant had come into the room,
something unbeautiful. something to
be feared She looked from one 70 the
other of the two men. Gerald's fist
was clenched. For all his calm. there
WAS subtle threat in Christopher's
attitude.
II don't want TO quarrel" Christopher
went on. Don't let Il come 70 that
Gerald. but you see It is inevitable that
MYRTLE should leave with me tonight
= .h,f3 v,c4 80 18th ss.r No. Va, trO,x