Henderson daily dispatch., 1934-02-27
"Today," s T4eeie brietly.


Officer" A note OF cynical amuae-
ment so%nded in the cool question.
Naturally" said Tiggie. beginning
to chafe in spite of his utmost reso-
luton. II didn't know her address
before"
"Oh, I see! You came straight
onI" Grierson spoke with the calm
enlightenment of one confirming
previous imr ression. "And she sag
you and made this assignation
"You can can II what yon like"
said Tiggie. and suddenly his hand
was also on the gate. pushing il in.
wards bur I'm coming in Ia see her
now-with your permission or with
ont it."
To his surprise Grierson's sparG
form gave way Immediately before
him. He uttered z mockino laugh.
"Come in by all meansl" he SAID.
"But Tm afraid yon won't see her.
She left for the country this after
noon"
"Whnt?" Tiggie stood stin. as IT,
were. checked in mid career. THIS
fellow had an odd aptitude for
straight hitting despite bis some
what circuitous methods. What"
he said again. staring stupidity, feel
ing like the bun who after his mad
rush realizes that he has missed his
objective. "She's gone? Is that the
trnth?"
~ told you that she wanted to
have no more TO do with YOU" pro-
tested Grierson almost mildly. cit
would have been better if you had
taken my word for IT, in the f1re4
place"
Tiggie's hand fell from the gate.
lie stood. still staring. while the
memory of her reluctance gradually
forced itself upon him. He had over
borne her opposition. Her strength
had been insufficient for the contest,
but her reluctance had remained.
bearing fruit at this the eleventh
hour. Once more she had eIuded
him Once more the threads OF his
life were cut and left hanging He
was dumbfounded.
Some instiEct of pity atirred IL
seemed. in Grierson. Perhaps he
felt he could afford to be- generous
to an enemy completely OVerthrOwn.
He opened the gate little wider.
"Can 1 offer you drink before
you go?" he suggested with n bland
ness that failed to conceal the
triumph that underlay it.
But that was too much for Tiggie.
He started as a horse starts at the
spur. He was beaten, but he would
sooner die than admit it. His pride.
which had been so vigorously smoth-
cred during all the fruitless hours OF
the day. suddenly flared up within
him, refusing further indignity.
He Strengthened himself sharply.
standing square in face of defeat.
At least he would endure no further
humiliation at the hands OF this
man. mo. thanks!" he said curtly.
I'D much rather not. Good night"
He wheeled. discounted indeed hut
every inch a soldier. and walked
away, erect and arrogant rs he had
never walked on parade.
lie heard the gate shut and the
bolt shot behind him as he atrode
down the quiet road and n fierce
flame of anger went through him
for the moment consuming every
other feeling. Ills enemy had scored
a victory, and he could see his sneer-
ing smile as he strolled back from
the fray. a damned civilian tooi
Tiggfe's thoughts al this luncture he
gan to verge upon profanity. TO he
wOrsted by An Internal bloOd-Snck-
ing LAWYER. a paid trCkSter. en-
plOyed by Scoundrels who desired 20
get the better of each other! His
step quickened and his breathing be-
came labored TO have eponr the
whole day thus strenuOuslr tot moth
ing-worse than nOthin%-the bitter
ness of complete failureI
Suddenly he stood still in his
tracks. What was he doing. accept
ing defeat like this? 1t was prob
ably only coercion that had driven
her away from him this second time.
He recalled his first impulse in the
morning. His advent had been ex-
pected and prepared for. The woman
at the door had been warned 10 deny
even the existence of the poor little
refugee. He had conclusiVelv Crap
pied with and refuted that lie. And
now he had suffered himself to be
routed almost AT word
RIO RI CONTINHEDl