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About Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 19, 1908)
THE REPUBLICAN , OUSTER COUNTY , NKBKABKA. Ingly eensltlvo about It , so she merely gueised what reply hop cblld expected : "It's all settled , donr. Cnptnln Solwyn arrived n moment ago. " And she clos ed th * ( llo. It was already too late any bow , and presently , turalug to see who was soat- d OB W * left , Selwyn found hlmaelf gazing Into the calm , Hushed face of AJlxe Rutaven. It waa tlielr third en counter. They exchanged a dazed nod of rec ognition , a meaningless murmur , and turned again , apparently undisturbed , to tliolr respective dinner parties A great many curious eyes lingering on them shifted elsewhere In reluctant disappointment. As for the hostess , she had for one Instant come as near to passing heav enward as she could without doing It when she discovered the sltuatlou. Then she accepted It with true humor. She could afford to. But her daugh ters , Sheila and Dorothy , suffered acutely , being of this year's output and martyrs to responsibility. Meanwhile Selwyn , grimly aware of an accident somewhere and perfectly conscious of the feelings which must by this time dominate his hostess , was wondering how best to avoid anything that might resemble a situation. Instead of two or three dozen small tables scattered among the piiltns of the winter garden their hostess had preferred to construct n great oval board around tin * aquarium. Tbo ur- 8 lii > vn found litinsel } mixing into the lace of Allxe RuUivcn. rangeintnt made it a little easier for gelwyn and Mrs. Rutliveu. He talked to his dinner partner until she began to respond In monosyllables , which closed ouch subject that ho opened and wearied him as much as he was borIng - Ing her. But Bradley Harmon , the man on nor rigut , evidently Had bet ter fortune , and presently Selwyn found himself with nobody to talk to. which came as near to embarrassing ului as anything could and which so enraged his hostess that she struck hla partner's name from her lists forevnr. People were already glancing at him askance In sly amusement or cold curi osity. Then he did A thing which endeared blm to Mrs. T. West Minster and to her two disconsolate cblldrou. "Mrs. Huthven , " he said very uat- nrally and pleasantly , "I think perhaps we had better talk for a moment or ' two If you don't mind. My dinner 'partner Is quite Impossible , you see , and I happen to be hero as a Oiler In- commanded to the presence only a few minutes ago. It's a pardonable error. I bear no malice. But I'm sorry for you. " There was a silence. Allxe straight ened her slim figure and turned , but young Innls. who had taken her In , had become confidential with Mrs. Fane. As for Selwyn's partner , she probably divined his conversational designs on her , but she merely turned her bura shoulder a trifle more unmistakably and continued her gossip with Bradley Harmon. Allxo broke a tiny morsel from bor bread , senslblo of the tension. "I suppose , " she said as though re citing to some new acquaintance an mnnslng bit of gossip , "that we are destined to this sort of thing occa sionally and had bettor got n ed to It. " "I suppose so. " "Please. " she added after a pause , "aid me a little. " " 1 will If 1 can. Whnt am I to say ? " "Have you nothing to say ? " she ask ed , smiling. "It need not bo very civil , you know , as long ns nobody hears you. " To school hid features for the decep tion of others , to school his voice and manner and at the same time look sinmiv.iy ) into tne gruro of ins youth and hope Bulled for the sort of self command foreign to his character Glancing at him under her smoothly fitted musk of amiability , she slowly Krevv efrild of the sltuatlou , but not of her ablilt.v i < > sustain bur own pa it. Tli..v --.cli.inged u few meunlngless s ; ilu'ii shu resolutely took \uuug t1 An. , from Kosumund Fano. letivluj ; St-hvyn to count the bubbles In tils wl.K'Lf'as-i ' lint lu u U-u moments , whether by nccidfiit or deliberate design , Iloja- iti iin J Intertorcd again , and Airs , limb- veu v ; iu confronted with the choice of u squ.ibble for possession of young In- J nls , of conspicuous silence or or're - j * uuiln , ; once uioie wlib Selwyn. and .she chose the last resort "Ymi are living In town'/ " she aslod " " "Yes "Of course ; I forgot I met a man 1 last night who said you hud entered | the firm of N'oergurd & Co" " 1 have Who " vvns the uiun ? "You can never guess , Captain Sel i 1 J " 1 don't want to. Who was he ? " "Pleaso don't terminate so abruptly the few subjocta wu nave In reserve Wu may be obliged to talk to each oth er for u numbw of uilnutoa If Hosu- inutid doesn't let us alone. The man was Boots Lansing. " "Boots ! Herd" "Arrived from Manila Sunday. As usual , he Introduced yon as the sub ject and told me oh , dozens of things about you. I auppoao ha began inquir ing for you before he crossed tbu troopers' gangplank , and somebody sent him to Neorgurd & Co Unveu't you seen him ? " "No. " lie said , staring at the bril liant fish , which gilded along the crys tal tank , goggling tholr eyes at the lights "You you uro living with tbe Qe- rards , I believe ? " she said carelessly "For awhile. " "Oh ! Boots suyu that ho Is expect ing to take an apartment wltb you somewhere. " "What ! Has Boots resigned ? " "So he snys. H told me that you bad resigned. I did ot understand t Philip Belwyn. that I Imagined , you were here on leave until I board about Neergard fit Co. " "Do you aupposo 1 could have re mained In the service ? " he demanded. Ills volco was dry and almost accent- loss. "Why not ? " she returned , paling. "You may answer that questionhnoro pleasantly than I can. " She usually avoided champagne , but sbo had to do something for herself now. As for him , ho took what was offered without noticing what ho took and grew whiter and whiter. But a fixed glow gradually appeared and re mained on her cheeks. Courage , Impa tience , a sudden anger at the forced conditions , steadied her nerves. "Will you please prove equal to the situation ? " she said under her breath , but with a charming smile. "Do you know you are scowling ? These people here are ready to laugh , and I'd much prefer that they tear us to rags on sus picion of our overl'rlendllness. " "Who IB that fool woman who la monopolizing your partner ? " "Rosamund Fano. She's doing It oa purpose. You must try to arnllo now and then. " "My face Is stiff with grinning , " ha nald , "but I'll do what I can for you" "Pleaso Include yourself too. " "Oh , 1 c n stand their opinions , " ho said. " 1 only meet the yellow sort oc casionally. I don't herd withthem. . " "I do , thank you. " "How do you lko | thorn ? Whnt Is your opinion of the yellow set ? Hero they sit all about you the Phoenix Mottlys , Mrs. Delmour-Carnea yonder , the Dniymores , the Orchils , the Yen- denning lady , the Lawns of West- lawn" ho paused , then deliberately "and the Jack Ituthvens. I forgot , Allxe. that you are now perfectly equipped to curry aloft the golden hod. " "Go on , " she said , drawing a deep breath. She forced n smile and drew her glass toward her. The straw tint ; ed wine slopped over and frothed on | the white skin of her arm. "Well , " she breathed , "this ghastly dinner Is nearly ended. " lie nodded pleasantly. "And Phil ? " a bit tremulous. "What ? " | "Was It all my fault 1 mean In the beginning ? I've wanted to ask you | that to know your view of It. Was ItV" , "No. It was mlna tuost of It. " "Not all not half. Wo did not know how. That Is the wretched explana tion of It nil. " "And wo could never bare learned. That's the rest of the answer. But the fault Is not there. " " 1 know 'better to bear the Ills we have. " " ! "Yts ; more respectable to bear them. ' Let us drop this In decency's name , Allxo. " | After a allanea she began : "On * more thing. I must know It , and I am go- ' Ing to ask jou If I may. Sh.iil I'- " Ho smiled cordially , and she Inuf as though confiding a delightful bit of news to him. "Do you rogurd mu as sutlleleutly important to dislike mo ? " "I do uot-dlsllke you " "Is It stronger than dislike , Pull ? " "Y-es. " "Contempt ? " "No " "What U ItV" "It Is that I buva not y t become reconciled. " "To my-folly ? " "To mine " She strove to laugh lightly and , fall ing , raised her glass to her lips again. "Now you know , " he said , pitching his tones still lower. "I am glad , after all , that wo have had this plain under standing I have never felt unkindly toward you. I can't What you did I might have prevented had I known enough , but I cannot help It now , nor can you If you would. " "If I would. " she repeated gayly , for the people opposite wcro staring. "We ore done for , " he said , nodding carelessly to a servant to reflll his glass , "and I abide by conditions be- causa I chose to , not , " he added con temptuously , "because a complacent law has tethered you to to the thing that has crawled up on your' ' knees to have Its cars rubbed " The level Insult to her husband stun ned her. She sat there , upright , the white smllo stamped on her stiffened lips , lingers lightening about the stem of her wineglass. He began to toss broad crmubs to the scarlet flsh , laughing to himself In an ugly way. "Why , Allxe , only look | at him ! Look at his gold wristlets ; Us- ten to bl.s simper , his lisp. Little girl ( oh. little girl , what have you done to yourself , for you have done nothing to me , child , that cau match It In sheer atrocity ? " Her color was long In returning. "Philip , " she said unsteadily , "I don't think I can stand tbla"- "YeH , you can- " "I am too close to the wall. I" "Talk to Scott Innls. Take him away from Rosamund Fane ; that will tide you tiver. Or feed those fool llsh : like this ! Look how thov rush and flap and spatter ! That's amusing. Isn't It for people with the Intellects of canaries ? Will you please try to pay something ? Mrs. T. West Is ex hibiting ( he reslleKs symptoms of a hen turkey at sundown , and we'll all go to roost In another minute. Don't shiver ( hat way ! " "I f-rnn't control it. I will In n mo ment. Give mo a cliiiuco. 'IV. I It to me. Phil" "Certainly. The season IISIH boon un usually jrny and the opein most stupid ly brilliant Stocks cnnilnno to llnotu- ate. Another old woman was loosed and gored by n mud motor thin morn- inn More time. Allxo ? With pleasure Mrs Vondonnlng tins bought ti third rate castle in Wales A innn wits found < leid : with n copy of the TiIlium- his pocket. Hie verdict being in ui-coiiliince with fact. The I'niiMlliii miul1 - ( tin It was ovet n | liiht n llurr.v ol sweeping skirts , ranks of Mud ; nuil white In escort to the p-is-age of the fluttering silken procession. "Go'idby " she said "I run not stayIng - Ing for the dunce" "CJnodhy , " he said pleasantly " 1 wish you butter fortune for the fntnie I'm sorry 1 was rough" He was not staying either. A dull excitement possessed him resembling suspense , as though ho were awaiting a denouement , MH though there was yet some crlsi. ) lo come After awhile ho found himself In the ballroom. The younger set WUH anhlng Ho recognized several youthful poople. friends of ft I loon Crroll. and , taking his hcirliiup : among these bright , fresh faces , n in Id this animated Hi mug. con stantly Increased by the arrival of others , he started to find the hostess , now lo t to sight In Hie lireexy circle of sill ; and lace Hutting in from the Mulrs Tie heard minion announced which meant nothing to him which stirred no memory , mimes which sounded vaguely lamlllnr , mimes which CM used him to turn quickly , lint seldom were the faces as familiar an the names He said to n girl behind whose chair he was standing"All the yonngci brothers and sister.uru coming here to confound me I hear n MKInnls announced but it turnout to he tier yonnyor sister" "Il > the wa.dn . you know my name'/ " she allied "No , " heiiild frankly "Do yon know mine ? " "Of course I do I listened drouth le Iy when somohod.v | Mevented .ton wholesale at .voin slilcr's the other day. I'm Uosamnnd Kane You might us well lie instructed because you're to Hike me in at the Orchils' novt Thursday night , I believe. " Looking up at a chlnlcss young man who had halted near her. she said , "George , this Is Captain Selwyn. " Glancing at Solwyn"Have you 'met my bus.snd ! ? Oh of course" T'is'.t I-M li ni.v I ; i commonplace or two , then ojii ! ! pi-ojiic separated them without resistance on their part. And Selwyn found himself drifting wildly In the vapid exchange of. civilities which cost nobody u mental effort ? His sister , he had once thought , wns certainly the most delightfully youth ful mntrou In New York , nut now ho made an exception of Mrs. Fnno , Itojn- tnuud Fane was much younger inuit hnvo bean younger , for she still bed something of tbnt volatile troshueti , tnat vague atuiosphcro of Immaturity cJUuglug to her like a perfume almost too delicate to detect , mid under that tbe most profound capacity for mis chief he had over linown of. Saunter ing amiably nmld the glittering groups continually forming and disintegrating under the clustered lights , ho finally succeeded In'reaching his hostess , And Mrs. T. West Minster dlseiigug- cd herself from the throng wllh Inten tion as he approached. No. And he was so sorry , and It was very amiable of his boat ess to want him , but lie was not remaining for the dance. So much for the luwii-js who stood there massive and ; ; cm laden , her kind ly and painted features tinted now with genuine emotion "Can you forgive u ver.v much inortl- fled old lady who Is really and truly fond of .vou ? " she said. lie laughed , holding her fat , ringed bunds In both'of liN with all the at tractive deference that explained his populari ty Uislng excitement had yen I Hie col or Into Ids face aud cleared his pleasant gray eyes , and he look ed vor.v young and handsome , his broad shoulders bent a trifle helore Hie enameled and bejevveled matron "Forgive , yon ? " ho . repealed , with u luugli i/IC * - / * contrary , 1 thank you. Mrs. Huthven Is one of the most charming women I know , If that la what you mean. " Looking nfter him UH ho made bis way toward the cloakroom , "The boy h thoroughbred , " she. reflected cynical ly , "aud the only amusement anybody csn get out of It will be at my ox- petisul Itositmuiul Is u perfect call" j He had aent for his cub. whleli , no doubt , was In Hue KO mo where , wedged ' 1 among the rank * of cnrrlnges strHcli- lug east and west along Hie NIIOW.V street , and he stood on the thick crim son carpet under the awning while It was being summoned. The CornelliiH HuydaniB , emerging from the house , offered Selwyn lonnuan room , but he Kiiilllngly declined , having a mind for solitude mill Hie Lenox club A plm lan.of debiitantea , opera hound , also left Then Hie tide sel heavily the oilier way. : ind I he. re seem ed no end to the line of in riving v e li I v I e s mid guests mull lie heard n nil mo pronounced A pollcenuin wnrii- ed lincK an up- pnmclilng mo- tor. and Solwyn saw MI-H Until- ven , enveloped In white furs , step from the portal .V/IC//H / / " " She saw him as he moved lincli , no.lded , pushed dl rectly to her brougham and MM I'oot on the step. Pausing here , she looked about her light mid left , then nvci liei shoulder straight Intel , in .Selwyn. and as she stood In silence , evidently awaiting him , It became Impossible for him any lougei to mlsiindersland without a public affront lo her When he started toward her she spoke to her maid. : ind Hie latter moved aside , with a word to Hie groom In waiting "My maid will dismiss yoni car riage , " she Maid pleasantly when he hulled beside her "There in one thing more uhlcli I must MI ) to von" Was tills uiai | lie had e\iei | ted haz ttrd might bring to him ; Was this the prophecy of his hammering pnl < e > : "Pleaco hurry before people come out. " she added and eniered the brougham "I can't do this , " he muttered "I've sent away rn\ maid " she said "Xolxidy hu noticed Those me serv : int out there Will yon please come iKjfore anybody arriving or departing does notice ? " And an he did not mo\e. "Are you going to mul.e me con > plcuoui > by this humiliation before servants ? " He said tumethlug between bis set teeth and entered the bioiigliiun "Do you know what you've done ? " he demanded harshly "Yes ; nothing yet. But you would have done enough to stir this borough If you bud delayed another second. " "Tour maid saw" ' "My maid Is my maid. " He leaned back In his corner irrny eyes narrowing "Naturally. " he said , "you are the one to be considered , not tin * oiau In the CUBO , " I "Thank 700. Are you tue wan Intba 1 " * ' i case ? " "Them Is no ease , " he smld coolly. "Then why worn- about me ? " lie folded his arms sullenly at bay , yet Inn ) no ptctn nlilou of what to ex pect from her. "You weie very brutal to mu. " ttht vnld nt length "I know n. and I did not Intpnd to U1 The vvouls came " "Yon bad mo at your mercv and sln > v\od me llttlo a verv little at tlrst , nfliM wind none " "Tho vv.irdi CIIUIK. " he ivpeatod "I'm k'lel , with -e | | contempt. I titvoii" | | She iii-t hei white gluveil i-liiovv on the window sill mid rested her chin In her palm "Thill money. " she said , with an ef fort. "Yon set some inside for me. " "Half , " he nodded ciilml.v "Why ? " He was silent "Why ? I did not u k for It There was nothing In the Hie lugil pro ceedings to lead you to bellevo that I desired It , was there ? " "No. " "Well , then"her -her breath cauie uu- Btoitdlly-"vvhut was there In me to make you think I would accept It ? " He did not reply "Answer mu. This Is the time to an- Hwor me. " "The answer Is simple enough , " ho said In a low voice. "Toirothor we hud made a failure of paitnorKlilp.Vhon that partnership was dissolved Ihero remained the Joint capital to he divid ed. And I divided It. Why not ? " "That capital VVIIB yours In the beginning - ginning , not mine. What | bud of my own von never cntilrnlled nurl I timU- It with me vvliiMi I went. " "It was very little. " ho wuid. "Whui of that ? Did that concern yon ? Did you think I would have ac cepted anything from yon ? A thou sand times I have been on the point of notifying .von through attorney tluit the deposit now * " standing In my name Is at your disposal. " "Why didn't you notify me then ? " he asked , reddening to the temples. "Because I did not wish to hurt you by doing It that way. And I had not the courage to any It kindly over my own signature That Is why , Captain And us lie remained silent : "That Is what I hud to suy ; not nil. becaiiMe I wish to to i ha nk yon for offering It. You did imi have ver.v much either , and yon divided what you had. So I thank yon , and 1 return It. " The ten- * Ion forced her to attempt u laugh. "So we eland once more on equal terms unless you have anything of mlnu to return " " 1 have your photograph. " ho suld. Tim silence lusted until he straight ened up 'and , rubbing the fog from the window glass , looked out. "We are In the purk , " he remarked , turning toward her. "Yes I did not know how long II might tuko to explain matters. You are freu of mo now whenever you wish " lie picked up the telephone heal- tuted. "Homo ? " he Inquired with an effort. Ami at the forgotten word they looked at onu another In utrlcken silence. "Y-yos ; to your borwt first If you will let me drop you thero" "Thank you. That might be Impru dent. " "No. I think not. You suy you are living with the Gerards ? " "Yes , temporarily , but I've already taken another placo. " "Where ? " "Oil. It's only a bachelor's kunuol , a couple of rooms" "Where , please ? " "Near Loxlugton and Sixty-sixth. I could go tlniro It'a only purtly fur- nlshed yef" "Then tell Hudson to drlvo there. " "Tliuuk you. but It Is not uecea- aury" "Ploaae let mo. Tell lludeou or I will. " . "You tre vofy kind , " he said and gave the order. "May I ask my question ? " she Bald. "Ask It. child. " "Then are you happy ? " He did not answer. "Because i uosiro ft , rnuip. i went you to be. You will be. won't you ? I did not dream that I was ruining your army career whoii 1 went rmid"- "IIow did It happen , Allxe ? " he asked , with u cold curiosity that chilled her. "How did It come about , wretch ed as we seemed to bu together , un happy , Incapable of understanding each other" "Phil ! There were daya"- Ile raised his eyes. "You speak only of the unhappy ones , " she suld. "But there vvero mo ments" "Yes , I know It , and BO 1 ask you why ? " "Phil , I don't know. There was that last bitter qunrrel-the night you left for Leyte after the dunco. I It all grew suddenly Intolerable. Yon scorn ed BO horribly unreal-everytblng scorned unreal In that ghastly city you. I , our marriage of cnr/.v Impulse the people , tbe sunlight , the deathly odors , the torturing , endless creak of the punkha. ( t wuu not n question of of love , of anger , of hut * . ' . 1 tell you I was stunned I had no emotIouB con- > > corning you or myself after that lat BCOIIO only a Btupcflod , blind noccsstty to get away , a groping lnntl ct to move toward hornv to nwko my wt > - homo iiud be rid foivver of UM dream Uiat drugged tu l And cfeea aatl then"- "He cnme.VaaUl Solwjrn vaiy qult- ly. "Go oa " But she had uoUilag mor to say. "Allxe' ' " She shook her head , dosing her eyes. "I.lltlo Klrl-ob. little girl , " he sold softly , the old familiar phrnno fladlaK Its way to his llpi-und HBO trembled slightly "was there no other way hue that ? Had rnurrlugv luudu the' world such u living hell for you that tnero was no other wuy but that ? " "Phil. I helped to make It a UeU. " "f nave vour p/iotoprapV hi hid. "Yes bocnune I was pitiably , lh a > - quuto to design anything bctterjjfor us. I didn't know how. I dldu't'tfofler- utHiul , I , Uie architect of our rafurs failed. " "It was worne Umn th t.Pfell. "We"-Bhe looked blindly at hltH-"w hud yet to learn what love might bo. \Ve did not know. If we could'BBY walled only waited perhaps Incau8o ; there were momenta" She ijusiwd crimson. ' ' "I could not mats you lore mohe repeated. "I did not know how. " "H ecu u tie you yourself bad notjeara- ed lion. But at llmus now looklag buck to lt-I tblnk- | think wV irera very near to It-tit momenta' And tb that dreadful dream cloood dowa us ugnln. And then tha end. " For a long while they aat In alienee. Mrs. Ruthvon'a white fura now cov ered her face. At last tbe culrrUfo stoppud. As he aprapg to tbe curb he becan * j ownro of nnothor vehicle standing im front of tbe house , a cab , from wblofiT Mrs. Huthvtm'a maid descended. , "Whttt la Bho doing here ? " bo turning In aitontshment to Mra. ven. "Phil , " Bho Bald In a lovr voice , "I know you bad taken tbla placo. * Qeral& told me. Forgive me , but when 1 aaw\ \ you under the awning It came to m * In n flush what to da And I've don * It. Are you sorry ? " "No. Did Gurald tell you that I ka ' taken tills " place ? i "Yes. I asked him. " Selwyn looked at her gravely , and she looked him very BUadlly In tbe uyes , | "Before I go may I ear one wore word ? " he asked gently. , j "Yes , If you pluRBtt , la it about Ger ald ? " * } "Yes. Don't lit him gamble. T m aaw the Nlgnnturo on that cluck ? " | "You , Phil. " J "Then you uuderatajid. Dou't la * him do It agnln. " "No. And-Phily "What ? " "That check Is Is deposited to your credit with the rest. I have uovtn dreamed of using It. " Her cheeks war * atlro aguln , but with shnma this time. J "You will ha o to accept It , Allxu. " j "I cannot. " \ "You must. Don't you see you will affront Gerald ? Ho bus repaid mo. That check IB not rntna , nor U It his. " ) "I can't tnko"lt'ahe Bald , with a httrtriarVlmf nhnll I An wlfh IfV * J "There are ways bpapltnli. If row care to Good night , child. " t She stretched out her gloved arm to him. Ho took her hand very "geatljr ttud retulupd It while he apokt. "I 'wUh you happlheBa , " be aald.MI auk your forglvenesa" "Give me mine , then. " "Yes. If there U anything to forgive. Good night" "Good night , boy , " slut gasped. He turned sharply , quivering under the familiar name Her muld , standIng - Ing In the snow , moved forward' , und be motioned her to enter the brougham. "Home , " ho said unsteadily and teed there very still for a mlunto or two. even after tbe carriage had whirl ed away Into the storm Then. lookIng - Ing up at the house , be felt for hia ke > s , but a sudden horror of being alone arrested him , aud he stepped buck , calling out to uls cabman , vvno was ulreudy turning his horse's * Head : "Walt u moment. I think PlPdrlv * back to Mm. Gerard'a. And take your tliuo. " ( Continued next week. )