The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1927-05-06

but it was not until they had crossed |
Madison avenue that she spoke at last.
she lifted her face to his and said
a great many things-ugly things-bald
and revealingl
His first consciousness was an intense
embarrassment-shame for her. 81 see,"
said Mr.. Albert Mutt, dawning compre-
in his eyes. "It is only the r-rich
ones you're after!"
She met his abashed glance. "Yes,"
she said defna1tly, "it's only the rich
I'm after"
He was silent, utterly terribly silent.
Suddenly she threw back her head and
cast all reserve away with a sort Of pas
Sionate rudeness. II guess I and one,
all right-this afternoon!" she asserted
bitterly.
"Landed-o-one?"
Unconsciously she accelerated her step.
81 guess there's no mistake. He's not a
salesman his time!"
Good Godl"
The man put his hand to his forehead
ant took it down. 1t was covered with
little drops Of sweat. He turned-the
light from a store window fell across his
face.
She put out a contrite hand. Don't
look tha way she faltered, a little
catch in her voice. I'm telling you the
truth, because-because L want too
play square! lit isn't any use-as Tar
as I'm concerned You'll never make any
money-you don't want to! And--I-
well, if things had been different, you
know-if life hadn't been so unjust.
You're the i of a man that THAT
L" The music went out Of her voice.
1t broke.
He caught hold of her arm. Lets go
to the park" he said thickly. For Gods
sake-don't tell me here!"
So they went to the park n found a
sheltered place out of sight Of the lo1ter-
ers, and the man flung himself down be-
side her on the grass and caught ner
hands-pressing them until h WINGED.
The scar on his face looked suddenly red
and ~unhealed, like a cauterized wound.
eff you meant this all along" he said,
his voice shaking, why didn't you s-stop
me in time? You knew how it was with
me. You knew what I was ook1n Tor
a woman that would put the man in me
above e~-everything else! You can't make
me believe even yet you'll sell yourself
just for-for t-trinketsl Do you think
in chiffons and laces you won't be h-hun-
CRY for the touch Of love? See, you're
afraid even now-afraid Of what you're
doing! You can't make me think there's
enough of a thief in you to steal youl
keep from ONE S-stranger! For that's
what you're doing! You haven't anything
to givel-for you're m-mine and yoJ
know it! You've got the chance to de-
eide between the big and the little
| ~ JO0 NS ROb ~ ~
don't t-turn away Don't be afraid. What
does 1t matter what I can dress you il
when I can m-make that l-l-look come
into your eyes?"
He caught her, dragged her to him witt
the roughness of passion and laid his no
face against her throat. Don't go bacl
on me-" he stammered. I'll believe il
you until the very last minute. DON
speak too quickly, dear-my dear. Wal
wait Just a minute! I've staked every
thing on this m-moment. I've Away
believed it was bigger than anything IL
the world-l-l-love! That nothing eXter
ior would matterl 1t doesn't-does it
To you-down in your heart of hearts
Tell me it doesn't! Oh, my dear, tell M
it doesn't!"
Il can't!" The girl tore herself ava,
from him, painting and dtsheveled. He
hat had fallen from her head and he
white flesh was rouged where he hat
pressed his face. With that pressure o
love yet on her she turned and facet
him-white as at the last day Of her life
Leaning over h put her hands on hi
shoulders. THIN not, not-big-
enough" she walled. I'm just-not
That's ALL Perhaps if you'd lived tn
life I lave you wouldn't be, either" Sh
| began. to sob and covered her face wit
her hands to hide it from the shame i
i his eyes. Her w Widened with feal
Z ST couldn't bear it," she gasped. Call m
5 life! The grubbing middle class poverty
} A little room somewhere in Harlem, wit
/ with you, coming home tired at nigh
And yes-yes, irritable. perhaps-and til
: scrimping and scratching to make bot
4 ends meet! The dirty, stupid ugliness
e couldn't! I haven't the strength. II
not made that wayl There isn't thu
r much love in mel"
= Suddenly she caught his temples in HI
= hands and pressed her lips to the scar O
= his cheek. "It isn't because of this" 81
whispered. II like you better tina
any one I've ever Known swear I d.
If things had been different-but the.
= never will be any hope Of money-wit
= you. Lies such a tyrant," she addC
bitterly. ut never gives us half
chance!"
y The man didn't answer. Neither d
= he move when he saw her pick up h
hat from the grass and slowly turn ava
q Mechanically he moved down Fiji
% avenue, turned into Madison, waikiki
almost without his own volition. Hat
= led him to a large bachelors apartme
house. He stopped and entered the Ell
49, vator which lifted him to a certain flo
. He got u and let himself into a do
= with a latchkey. He turned on the ele
: trio lights, still moving mechanically, a.
walked over to the window. He star
out listlessly at the light-f1ecked gloC
for a few moments n then sank hes
- lily into an armchair.
In the adjoining room he could hi
the stealthy opening and shutting
T drawers, the careful laying out of clot
L ing, all the efficient, soundless mo-
l. ments that betokened long service.
a well he knew them! They suggest
S countless days that were to come,
d which he would listen to them with I
~ same terrible indifference.
~ The o between the two roo
II Iopened and a servant stood on
~ threshold. He started and looked d
E. tressed as he saw his masters face.
Id didn't know you were in, sir" he SO
E 81 did not hear you"
"I Just came" The man at the W
dow spoke in a strange detached vo.
% "IS any waiting?"
"a messenger from the jewelers. ca
TO at three, sir" The servant advanced E
* laid some letters on the table by
chair. "He waited for several hours,
% as you didn't return he went away
is here again" He stood aside for SC
one in the adjoining room to enter.
IS The man at the window started.
or strange expression swept across his Fl
ne There was something sardonic as o
scene in a play in the man who ca
forward obsequiously to display