The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1940-07-18
CHAPTER XIV
g Ledger
Is

tan ldyI' was hung In the hnodIer
Galleries, and Mrs Austin went ear
ly IN the afternoon to see it. Like
Wild, il fascinated her, and crowd
of people were milling around be-
fore it. She left shortly, afraid that
Wild might come along, for he and
Lynn were due there at 5 o'clock
for tea. She had made sure Of that
face, and because she was so sure
of what was going to happen, she
went directly from the galleries to
Mr.. Harlen's office.
Have you heard anything YETI"
81 don't expect word for while.
Just be patient. Just what do you
expect to ind?"
II don't know. But there must
be something!" Mrs. Austin waited,
her hands clenched in her lap. Il
can wait. 1t does not matter!"
Wild and Lynn went to the tea for
Rene, and crowds focked to see the
picture. Later they dined quietly
and Wild got Lynn home early for
she was very tired.
When she hung up her coat at last
she stopped suddenly where she
stood. There on the floor was half
used paper packet Of matches. Puz-
zled, she picked them up. They were
from the Hotel Astor. She threw
them on the table, thinking Wild
must have dropped them, and tried
to settle herself at the table to write
a letter to her sister. When she
opened her desk she had an off feel
ing that things seemed awry.
I'm nervous tonight" She got a
few words down on the sheet of pa
per, but her ring winked up at her
maliciously, and she threw down the
pen. A sudden panic seized her.
She runamaged into drawer, hunt
ing for the damning piece of paper.
It was there, folded neatly, under
some letters from Bangor.
Lynn tried to think straight. eff
I tell him honestly and squarely,
Just how things are, he'll believe
me. But his mother? What will she
do? She'll have to know"
While Lynn lay there in the shabby
apartment trying to straighten out
the tangle into which she had got
her life, Wild was in his mothers
sitting-room at Austin Manor.
He was surprised at her agitation.
wild, you know I love your"
The danger signal! 1t had always
been so, Mrs. Austin could feel him
stiffen, become hostile. Tears came
to her eyes, and she prayed for the
right words, for help.
wild, that girl was married to
Boucher last Spring. On February
Is, in Lu Lu, S. c."
Mrs. Austin's voice sounded tired
and old.
mo, it isn't true. I don't even
have to ask Lynn" Wild was angry.
ST know Rene, and I know Lynn.
Rene knows I'm going to marry
her"
Raymond" She never called him
that, only in a crisis. Raymond.
Look at me. One of Mr.. Harlem
men found the marriage license in
her apartment today!"
Wild stared down at his mothers
bent head. Mother! You had her
rooms searched?" He was unbeliev-
ing that she would stoop so low.
Mrs. Austin raised her head: "I
did" She looked her son straight
IN the eyes. ST did, Wild. To you
that seems dishonorable.i I'd do
much more than that for your safe
y!"
The hot color came into the mans
cheeks.
1T was there, Wild. I knew there
was something wrong. I knew when
! saw the portrait. I knewl"
Wild stood there for a long time,
looking unseeingly at his mother.
81 do not believe it." His voice
sounded unnatural and Mrs. Aus
tins heart beat so hard it hurt. He
said he did not believe, but at least
she had made him Isteni Her boys
eyes were hostile. To her horror
she saw almost hatred in them.
Wild" she pleaded.
He looked at his wrist watch. It
was after midnight. He turned
abruptly and walked to the door
without speaking to her.
Wild" she called after him, des-
perate. She could not let him go
like this. She ran out into the hall
and saw the door of his room was
open. As she came to it, painting
for breath, he met her in the door
way, his hat and coat on.
Where are you going?"
ITO Lynn. I am going to marry
her, tonight"
She tried to take his arm, but he
shook off her touch.
Pm going to her. If you've lied.
I'll never forgive you'll" Then he ran
down the wide staircase.
Shortly Wild was driving like a
mailman over the slippery roads
into Manhattan.
The faster he drove the more furi-
Gus Wild became at his mother.
It was very quiet in the sleeping
city when he pulled up in front of
her apartment. He parked his car
and got out stiffiy. When he pushed
the buzZer of her apartment. il
seemed a long time before the door
clicked open. In the elevator he
leaned against the wall and he felt
dizzy and sick.
"Godl" Now that he was here, a
terror took possession of him. If it
were true? But it was not. At Lynn's
door he knocked gently. She opened
1t a crack.
IT'S me, Wild, dear. I must talk
TO you" Then IN a moment, he faced
her IN the glare of light.