下载辰思小说免费APP
TheinterviewwasfillingManniewithexcitementanddelight。Hechuckledwithpleasure。Hisfearofthegreatmanwasrapidlydeparting。Couldthis，heaskedhimself，bethe"terrortoevil-
doers，"themanwhosecruelquestionsdrovewitnessestotears，whose"thirddegree"sentveteransoftheunderworldstaggeringfromhisconfessionalbox，limpandgasping？
"Oh，prettywell，"saidtheboy，"seemsasifIcouldn\'tkeepawayfromthem。Igotagoodthingfortoday——Pompadour——inthefifth。IputallthemoneyonherIcouldgettogether，"heannouncedimportantly，andthenaddedfrankly，withalaugh，"twodollars!"Thelaughwascontagious，andtheDistrictAttorneylaughedwithhim。
"Pompadour，"Winthropobjected，"she\'soneofthosewintertrackfavorites。"
"Iknow，buttoday，"declaredMannie，"shewin，sure!"Carriedawaybyhisenthusiasm，andbythesympathyofhisaudience，herushed，unheeding，tohisfate。"Ifyou\'dliketoputalittleon，"hesaid，"Icantellyouwhereyoucandoit。"
TheDistrictAttorneystaredandlaughed。"Youmustn\'ttellmewhereyoucandoit，"hesaid。
Manniegaveaterrifiedgaspand，foraninstant，clappedhishandsoverhislips。"That\'sright，"hecried。"Gee，that\'sright!I\'msuchacrankonallkindsofsportthatIcleanforgot!"
Hegazedatthemuch-dreadedDistrictAttorneywiththeaweofthenew-bornhero-worshipper。"Iguessyouare，too，hey？"heprotestedadmiringly。"Verawastellingmeyouusedtobeagreatballtosser。"
InthefaceoftheDistrictAttorneytherecameasuddeninterest。Hiseyeslightened。
"Howdidshe——"
"SheusedtowatchyouinGeneva，"saidMannie，"playingwiththecollegelads。I——I，"headdedconsciously，"wasaballplayermyselfonce。UsedtopitchfortheInterstateLeague。"Hestoppedabruptly。
"Interstate？"saidWinthropencouragingly。"Youmusthavebeengood。"
Theenthusiasmhaddepartedfromthefaceoftheboy。"Yes，hesaid，"but——"hesmiledshamefacedly，"butIgottakingcoke，andthey——"Hefinishedwithadramaticgestureofthehandasofamantossingawayacigarette。
"Cocaine？"saidtheDistrictAttorney。
Theboynoddedand，foraninstant，thetwomeneyedeachother，theboysmilingruefully。TheDistrictAttorneyshookhishead。
"Myyoungfriend，"hesaid，"youcanneverbeatthatgame!"
Manniestaredathim，hiseyesfilledwithsurprise。
"Don\'tyousuppose，"hesaidsimply，"thatIknowthatbetterthanyoudo？"Withaboy\'sprideinhisownincorrigibilityhewentonboastingly:"Oh，yes，"hesaid，"Iusedtobeawfulbad!
Cocaineandallkindsofdope，andcigarettes，andwhiskey。I
wasnearlyallin——withmorphine，itwasthen——tillshetookholdofme，andstoppedme。"
"She？"saidWinthrop。
"Vera，"saidMannie。"Shemademestop。Ihadtostop。Shestartedtakingitherself。"
"What!"criedWinthrop。
"Oh!"exclaimedManniehastily，"Idon\'tmeanwhatyoumean——I
meanshestartedtakingittomakemestop。Shesaystome，Mannie，you\'rekillingyourself，andyougottoquitit；andifyoudon\'t，everytimeyoutakeagrain，I\'lltaketwo。Andshedid!I\'dcomehome，andshe\'dseewhatI\'dbeendoing，andshe\'dupwithhersleeves，and——"Inhorriblepantomime，theboyliftedthecuffofhisshirt，andpressedhisrightthumbagainstthewristofhisotherarm。Atthememoryofit，hegaveashiverand，withablow，roughlystruckthecuffintoplace。
"God!"hemuttered，"Icouldn\'tstandit。Ibegged，andbeggedhernot。Icried。Iusedtogetdown，inthisroom，onmyknees。
Andeachtimeshe\'dgetwhiter，andblackundertheeyes。And——
andIhadtostop。Didn\'tI？"
Winthropmovedhishead。
"Andnow，"criedtheboywithahappylaugh，"I\'mallright!"Heappealedtotheoldermaneagerly，wistfully。"Don\'tyouthinkI\'mlookingbetterthanIdidthelasttimeyousawme？"
Again，withoutventuringtospeak，Winthropnodded。
Manniesmiledwithpride。"Everybodytellsmeso，"hesaid。
"Well，shedidit。That\'swhatshedidforme。And，Icantellyou，"hesaidsimply，sincerely，"thereain\'tanythingI
wouldn\'tdoforher。Iguessthat\'sright，hey？"headded。
Theeyesofthecruelcross-examiner，veiledunderhalf-closedlids，wereregardingtheboywithsocuriousanexpressionthatundertheirscrutinyMannie，inembarrassment，moveduneasily。
"Iguessthat\'sright，"herepeated。
Tohissurprise，theDistrictAttorneyrosefromhiscomfortablepositionand，leaningacrossthetable，heldouthishand。
Mannietookitawkwardly。
"That\'sallright，"hesaid。
"Sure，it\'sallright，"saidtheDistrictAttorney。
Fromthehalltherewasthesoundoflight，quicksteps，andMannie，happytoescapefromasituationhedidnotunderstand，rantothedoor。
"She\'scoming，"hesaid。Heopenedthedoorand，asVeraentered，heslippedpastherandcloseditbehindhim。
Verawalkeddirectlytothechairatthetopofthecentretable。Shewasnervous，andshewasconsciousthatthatfactwasevident。Toavoidshakinghandswithhervisitor，shecarriedherownclaspedinfrontofher，withthefingersinterlaced。
Shetriedtospeakinherusualsuave，professionaltone。"Howdoyoudo？"shesaid。
ButWinthropwouldnotbedenied。Withasmilethatshowedhispleasureatagainseeingher，headvancedeagerly，withhishandoutstretched。"Howareyou？"heexclaimed。"Aren\'tyougoingtoshakehandswithme？"hedemanded。"Withanoldfriend？"
Veragavehimherhandquickly，andthen，seatingherselfatthetable，pickeduptheivorypointer。
"Ididn\'tknowyouwerecomingasanoldfriend，"shemurmuredembarrassedly。"YousaidyouwerecomingtoconsultVera，themedium。"
"ButyousaidthatwastheonlywayIcouldcome，"protestedWinthrop。"Don\'tyouremember，yousaid——"
Verainterruptedhim。Shespokedistantly，formally。"Whatkindofareadingdoyouwant？"sheasked。"Ahandreading，oracrystalreading？"
Winthropleanedforwardinhischair，franklysmilingather。Hemadenoattempttoconcealthepleasurethesightofhergavehim。Hismannerwasthatofaveryoldanddearfriend，who，forthefirsttime，hadmetherafteraseparationofyears。
"Don\'twantanykindofareading，"hedeclared。"Iwantatalking。Youdon\'tseemtounderstand，"heobjected，"thatIammakinganafternooncall。"Hisgoodhumorwasunassailable。
Lookingupwithaperplexedfrown，Veramethiseyesandsawthathewaslaughingather。Shethrewtheivorypointerdownand，leaningbackinherchair，smiledathim。
"Idon\'tbelieve，"shesaiddoubtfully，"thatIknowmuchaboutafternooncalls。WhatwouldIdo，ifwewereonFifthAvenue？
WouldIgiveyoutea？"sheasked，"because，"sheaddedhastily，"thereisn\'tanytea。"
"Inthatcase，itisnotetiquettetoofferany，"saidWinthropgravely。
"Then，"saidVera，"I\'mdoingitright，sofar？"
Theybothlaughed；Verabecauseshestillwasinaweofhim，andWinthropbecausehewashappy。
"You\'redoingitcharmingly，"Winthropassuredher。
"Good!"exclaimedVera。"Well，now，"sheinquired，"nowwetalk，don\'twe？"
"Yes，"assentedWinthroppromptly，"wetalkaboutyou。"
"No，I——Idon\'tthinkwedo，"declaredVera，inhaste。"I
thinkwetalkabout——Geneva。"Sheturnedtohimwithrealinterest。"Isthetownmuchchanged？"sheasked。
Asthoughpreparingforalongtalk，Winthropdroppedhishattothefloorandsettledhimselfcomfortably。"Well，itis，anditisn\'t，"heanswered。"Haven\'tyoubeenbacklately？"heasked。
Veralookedquicklyawayfromhim。
"Ihaveneverbeenback!"sheanswered。Therewasapauseandwhensheagainturnedhereyestohis，shewassmiling。"ButI
alwaystaketheGenevaTimes，"shesaid，"andIoftenreadthatyou\'vebeenthere。You\'reagreatmaninGeneva。"
Winthropnoddedgravely。
"WheneverIwanttobeagreatman，"hesaid，"IgotoGeneva。"
"Why，yes，"exclaimedVera。"LastJuneyoudeliveredtheorationtothegraduatingclass，"shelaughed，"onTheCollegeManinPolitics。Suchanoriginalsubject!Anddidyoupointtoyourself？"sheaskedmockingly，"asthe——thebrightexample？"
"No，"protestedWinthrop，"Iknewthey\'dseethat。"
Muchtoherrelief，VerafoundthatofWinthropshewasnolongerafraid。
"Oh!"sheprotested，"didn\'tyousay，twelveyearsago，ahumbleboyplayedballforHobartCollege。Thatboynowstandsbeforeyou？Didn\'tyousaythat？"
"Somethinglikethat，"assentedtheDistrictAttorney。"Oh!"heexclaimed，"thatyoungmanwhoshowedmeinhere——yourconfederateorfellow-conspiratororlookoutmanorwhateverheis——toldmeyouusedtobearegularattendantatthosegames。"
"Inevermissedone!"Veracried。Sheleanedforward，hereyesshining，herbrowsknitwiththeeffortofrecollection。
"IusedtotellAunt，"shesaid，"Ihadtodriveinforthemail。Butthatwasonlyanexcuse。Aunthadanoldbuggy，andanoldwhitehorsecalledRoscoeConkling。IcalledhimRocks。Hewasblindinoneeye，andhewouldwalkonthewrongsideoftheroad；youhadtodrivehimononerein。"Thegirlwasspeakingrapidly，eagerly。Shehadlostallfearofhervisitor。WithsatisfactionWinthroprecognizedthis；andunconsciouslyhewasnowfranklyregardingthefaceofthegirlwithasmileofpleasureandadmiration。
"AndIusedtotiehimtothefencejustoppositefirstbase，"
Verawentonexcitedly，"andshout——foryou!"
"Don\'ttellme，"interruptedWinthrop，inburlesqueexcitement，"thatyouwerethatveryprettylittlegirl，withshortdressesandlonglegs，whousedtositonthetoprailandkickandcheer。"
Verashookherheadsternly。
"Iwas，"shesaid，"butyouneversawme。"
"Oh，yes，wedid，"protestedWinthrop。"Weusedtocallyouourmascot。"
"No，thatwassomeotherlittlegirl，"saidVerafirmly。"Youneverlookedatme，andI"——shelaughed，andthenfrownedathimreproachfully——"Ithoughtyouweremagnificent!Iusedtohaveyourpicturesinbaseballclothespinnedallaroundmylookingglass，andwheneveryoumadeabasehit，I\'dshoutandshout——andyou\'dneverlookatme!Andoneday——"shestopped，andasthoughappalledbythememory，claspedherhands。"Oh，itwasawful!"sheexclaimed；"onedayafoulballhitthefence，andIjumpeddownandthrewittoyou，andyousaid，Thankyou，sis!AndI，"shecried，"thoughtIwasayounglady!"
"Oh!Icouldn\'thavesaidthat，"protestedWinthrop，"maybeI
saidsister。"
"No，"declaredVeraenergeticallyshakingherhead，"notsister，sis。Andyouneverdidlookatme；andIusedtodrivepastyourhouseeveryday。Welivedonlyamilebelowyou。"
"Where？"askedWinthrop。
"OnthelakeroadfromSyracuse，"saidVera。"Don\'tyourememberthefarmamilebelowyours——theonewiththeredbarnrightontheroad？Yes，youdo，"sheinsisted，"thecowswerealwayslookingoverthefencerightintotheroad。"
"Ofcourse!"exclaimedWinthropdelightedly。"Wasthatyourhouse？"
"Oh，no，"protestedVera，"ourswasthelittlecottageontheotherside——"
"Withpoplarsroundit？"demandedWinthrop。
"That\'sit!"criedVeratriumphantly，"withpoplarsroundit。"
"Why，Iknowthathousewell。Weboysusedtocallitthehauntedhouse。"
"That\'stheone，"assentedVera。Shesmiledwithsatisfaction。
"Well，that\'swhereIliveduntilAuntdied，"shesaid。
"Andthen，what？"askedWinthrop。
Foramomentthegirldidnotanswer。Herfacehadgrowngraveandshesatmotionless，staringbeyondher。Suddenly，asthoughcastingherthoughtsfromher，shegaveasharptossofherhead。
"Then，"shesaid，speakingquickly，"Iwentintothemills，andwasillthere，andIwrotePaulandMabeltoaskifIcouldjointhem，andtheysaidIcould。ButIwastooill，andIhadnomoney——nothing。Andthen，"sheraisedhereyestohisandregardedhimsteadily，"thenIstolethatcloaktogetthemoneytojointhem，andyou——youhelpedmetogetaway，and——and"
Winthropbrokeinhastily。Hedisregardedbothhermannerandthenatureofwhatshehadsaid。
"AndhowdidyoucometoknowtheVances？"heasked。
Afterapauseofaninstant，thegirlacceptedthecuehismannergaveher，andansweredasbefore。
"Throughmyaunt，"shesaid。"shewasamediumtoo。"
"Ofcourse!"criedWinthrop。"Iremembernow。that\'swhywecalleditthehauntedhouse。"
"Myaunt，"saidthegirl，regardinghimsteadilyandwith，inhermanner，acertaindefiance，"wasagreatmedium。AllthespiritualistsinthatpartoftheStateusedtomeetatourhouse。I\'vewitnessedsomewonderfulmanifestationsinthatfrontparlor。"SheturnedtoWinthropandsmiled。"So，yousee，"
sheexclaimed，"Iwasbornandbroughtupinthisbusiness。Iamtheseventhdaughterofaseventhdaughter。Mygrandmotherwasamedium，mymotherwasamedium——sheworkedwiththeFoxsistersbeforetheywereexposed。But，myaunt，"sheaddedthoughtfully，judicially，"wasthegreatestmediumIhaveeverseen。ShedidcertainthingsIcouldn\'tunderstand，andIknoweverytrickinthetrade——unless，"sheexplained，"youbelievethespiritshelpedher。"
Winthropwasobservingthegirlintently，withanewinterest。
"Andyoudon\'tbelievethat？"heasked，quietly。
"HowcanI？"Verasaid。"Iwasbroughtupwiththem。"Sheshookherheadandsmiled。"IusedtoplayaroundthekitchenstovewithPocahontasandAlexandertheGreat，andMartinLutherlivedinourchinacloset。Yousee，theneighborswouldn\'tlettheirchildrencometoourhouse；so，theonlyplaymatesIhadwere——ghosts。"Shelaughedwistfully。"My!"sheexclaimed，"Iwasaqueer，lonelylittlerat。Iusedtohearvoicesandseevisions。
Idostill，"sheadded。Withherelbowsonthearmsofherchair，sheclaspedherhandsunderherchinandleanedforward。
SheturnedhereyestoWinthropandnoddedconfidentially。
"Doyouknow，"shesaid，"sometimesIthinkpeoplefromtheotherworlddospeaktome。"
"Butyousaid，"Winthropobjected，"youdidn\'tbelieve。"
"Iknow，"returnedVera。"Ican\'t!"Hervoicewasperplexed，impatient。"Why，Icansitinthischair，"shedeclaredearnestly，"andfillthisroomwithspiritvoicesandrappings，andyousittingrighttherecan\'tseehowIdoit。Andyet，inspiteofallthetricks，sometimesIbelievethere\'ssomethinginit。"
ShelookedatWinthrop，hereyesopenwithinquiry。Heshookhishead。
"Yes，"insistedthegirl。"Whenthesewomencometomeforadvice，Idon\'tinventwhatIsaytothem。It\'sasthoughsomethingtoldmewhattosay。Ihavenevermetthembefore，butassoonasIpassintothetrancestateIseemtoknowalltheirtroubles。AndIseemtobehalfinthisworldandhalfinanotherworld——carryingmessagesbetweenthem。Maybe，"hervoicehadsunktoalmostawhisper；shecontinuedasthoughspeakingtoherself，"Ionlythinkthat。Idon\'tknow。I
wonder。"
Therewasalongpause。
"Iwish，"beganWinthropearnestly，"Iwishyouwereyounger，orIwereolder。"
"Why？"askedVera。
"Because，"saidtheyoungman，"I\'dliketotalktoyou——likeafather。"
Veraturnedandsmiledonhimsecurely，withfrankfriendliness。
"Goahead，"sheassented，"talktomelikeafather。"
Winthropsmiledbackather，andthenfrowned。
"Youshouldn\'tbeinthisbusiness，"hesaid。
Thegirlregardedhimsteadily。
"What\'sthematterwiththebusiness？"sheasked。
Winthropfeltshehadputhimuponthedefensive，buthedidnothesitate。
"Well，"hesaid，"theremaybesometruthinit。Butwedon\'tknowthat。Wedoknowthatthere\'salotoffraudanddeceitinit。Now，"hedeclaredwarmly，"there\'snothingdeceitfulaboutyou。You\'refine，"hecriedenthusiastically，"you\'rebig!Thatboywhowasinheretoldmeonestoryaboutyouthatshowed——"
Verastoppedhimsharply。
"Whatdoyouknowofme？"sheaskedbitterly。"ThefirsttimeyoueversawmeIwasinapolicecourt；andthismorning——youheardthatmanthreatentoputmeinjail——"
Inturn，byabruptlyrisingfromhischair，Winthropinterruptedher。Hepushedthechairoutofhisway，and，shovinghishandsintohistrousers\'pockets，beganpacingwithlong，quickstridesupanddowntheroom。"WhatdoIcareforthat？"hecriedcontemptuously。Hetossedthewordsatheroverhisshoulder。"IputlotsofpeopleinjailmyselfthatarebetterthanIam。Only，theywon\'tplaythegame。"Hehalted，andturnedonher。"Now，you\'renotplayingthegame。Thisisameanbusiness，takingmoneyfromsillygirlsandoldmen。You\'retoogoodforthat。"Hehaltedatthetableandstoodfacingher。
"I\'vegottwosistersuptown，"hesaid。Hespokecommandingly，peremptorily。"AndtomorrowIamgoingtotakeyoutoseethem。
Andwefellowtownsmen，"hesmiledatherappealingly，"willtalkthisover，andwe\'llmakeyoucomebacktoyourownpeople。"
Foramomentthetworegardedeachother。Thenthegirlansweredfirmly，butwithaslighthoarsenessinhervoice，andinatonehardlylouderthanawhisper:
"YouknowIcan\'tdothat!"
"Idon\'t!"blusteredWinthrop。"Whynot？"
"Because，"saidthegirlsteadily，"ofwhatIdidinGeneva。"Asthoughtheanswerwastheonehehadfeared，themanexclaimedsharply，rebelliously。
"Nonsense!"hecried。"Youdidn\'tknowwhatyouweredoing。Nodecentpersonwouldconsiderthat。"
"Theydo，"saidthegirl，"theyaretheveryoneswhodo。And——
it\'sbeeninthepapers。EverybodyinGenevaknowsit。Andheretoo。AndwheneverItrytogetawayfromthis"——shestretchedoutherhandstoincludetheroomabouther——"Someonetells!
Fivetimes，now。Sheleanedforwardappealingly，notasthoughaskingpityforherself，butaswishinghimtoseeherpointofview。"Ididn\'tchoosethisbusiness，"sheprotested，"Iwassortofborninit，and，"shebrokeoutloyally，"Ihatetohaveyoucallitameanbusiness；butIcan\'tgetintoanyother。
WheneverIhave，somemansays，Thatgirlinyourfrontofficeisathief。"Therestraintsheputuponherself，theairofdisdainwhichatalltimesshehadfoundthemostconvenientdefense，fellfromher。
"It\'snotfair!"shecried，"it\'snotfair。"Tohermortification，thetearsofself-pitysprangtohereyes，andasshefiercelytriedtobrushthemaway，tohergreateranger，continuedtocreepdownhercheeks。"Itwasnineyearsago，"sheprotested，"Iwasachild。I\'vebeenpunishedenough。"Sheraisedherfacefranklytohis，speakingswiftly，bitterly。
"Ofcourse，Iwanttogetaway!"shecried。"Ofcourse，Iwantfriends。I\'veneverhadafriend。I\'vealwaysbeenalone。I\'mtired，tired!Ihatethisbusiness。IneverknowhowmuchIhateituntilthechancecomestogetaway——andIcan\'t。"
Shestopped，butwithoutloweringherheadormovinghereyesfromhis。
"Thistime，"saidthemanquietly，"you\'regoingtogetawayfromit。"
"Ican\'t，"repeatedthegirl。"youcan\'thelpme!"
Winthropsmiledatherconfidently。
"I\'mgoingtotry，"hesaid。
"No，please!"beggedthegirl。Hervoicewasstillshakenwithtears。Shemotionedwithherheadtowardtheroombehindher。
"Thesearemypeople，"shedeclareddefiantly，asthoughdaringhimtocontradicther。"Andtheyaregoodpeople!They\'vetriedtobegoodfriendstome，andthey\'vebeentruetome。"
Winthropcametowardherandstoodbesideher，soclosethathecouldhaveplacedhishanduponhershoulder。Hewondered，whimsically，ifsheknewhowcruelsheseemedinappealingwithhertears，herhelplessnessandlovelinesstowhatwasgenerousandchivalricinhim；and，atthesametime，byherwords，treatinghimasaninterloperandanenemy。
"That\'sallright，"hesaidgently。"Butthatdoesn\'tpreventmybeingagoodfriendtoyou，too，doesit？Or，"headded，hisvoicegrowingtenseandconscious——"mybeingtruetoyou？Mysisterswillbeheretomorrow，"heannouncedbriskly。
Verahadwearilydroppedherarmsuponthetableandloweredherheaduponthem。Fromaplacedowninthedepthsshemurmuredaprotest。
"No，"contradictedWinthropcheerfully，"thistimeyouaregoingtowin。You\'llhavebackofyou，IfIdosayit，twoofthebestwomenGodevermade。Only，now，youmustdoasIsay。"Therewasapause。"Willyou？"hebegged。
Veraraisedherheadslowly，holdingherhandacrosshereyes。
Therewasalongersilence，andthenshelookedupathimandsmiledpathetically，gratefully，andnodded。"Good!"criedWinthrop。"Nomorespooks，"helaughed，"nomorespiritrappings。"
ThroughhertearsVerasmiledupathimawan，brokensmile。Shegaveashudderofdistaste。"Never!"shewhispered。"Ipromise。"
Theireyesmet；thegirl\'slookingintohisshyly，gratefully；
theman\'ssearchingherseagerly。Andsuddenlytheysaweachotherwithanewandwonderfulsympathyandunderstanding。
Winthropfelthimselfbendingtowardher。Hewasconsciousthattheroomhadgrowndark，andthathecouldseeonlyhereyes。
"Youmustbejustyourself，"hecommanded，butsogently，sotenderly，that，thoughhedidnotknowit，eachwordcarriedwithitthetouchofacaress，"justyoursweet，fine，nobleself!"
Somethinghereadinthegirl\'supliftedeyesmadehimdrawbackwithashockofwonder，ofdelight，withanupbraidingconscience。Topullhimselftogether，heglancedquicklyabouthim。Thedayhadreallygrowndark。Hefeltasuddendesiretogetaway；togowherehecouldaskhimselfwhathadhappened，whatitwasthathadfilledthisunknown，tawdryroomwithbeautyandgivenitthehappinessofahome。
"ByJove!"heexclaimednervously，"IhadnoideaI\'dstayedsolong。You\'llnotletmecomeagain。Goodbye——untiltomorrow。"
Heturned，holdingouthishand，andfoundthatagainthegirlhaddroppedherfaceuponherarm，andwassobbingquietly，gently。
"Oh，whatisit？"criedWinthrop。"WhathaveIsaid？"Thecatchinthegirl\'svoiceasshetriedtocheckthesobswrenchedhisheart。"Oh，please，"hebegged，"I\'vesaidsomethingwrong？I\'vehurtyou？"Withherfacestillhiddeninherarms，thegirlshookherhead。
"No，no!"shesobbed。Hervoice，softwithtears，wasamelodyofsweetandtendertones。"It\'sonly——thatI\'vebeensolonely——andyou\'vemademehappy，happy!"
Thesobsbrokeoutafresh，butWinthrop，nowknowingthattheybroughttothegirlpeace，wasnolongerfilledwithdismay。
Herheadwasbentuponherleftarm，herrighthandlightlyclaspedtheedgeofthetable。Withtheintentionofsayingfarewell，Winthroptookherhandinhis。Thegirldidnotmove。
Tohispresencesheseemedutterlyoblivious。Inthegatheringduskhecouldseethebentfigure，couldhearthesoft，irregularbreathingasthegirlweptgently，happily，likeachildsobbingitselftosleep。Thehandheheldinhisneitherrepellednorinvited，andforaninstanthestoodmotionless，holdingituncertainly。Itwassodelicate，sohelpless，soappealing，soaltogetherlovable。Itseemedtoreachup，and，withwarm，clingingfingers，clutchthetendrilsofhisheart。
Winthropbenthisheadsuddenly，andliftingthehand，kissedit；andthen，withoutagainspeaking，walkedquicklyintothehallandshutthedoor。Intheroomtheduskdeepened。ThroughtheopenwindowscametheroaroftheSixthAvenueElevated，theinsistentclamorofanelectrichansom，themurmurofBroadwayatnight。Thetearshadsuddenlyceased，butthegirlhadnotmoved。Atlast，slowly，stiffly，sheraisedherhead。Hereyes，filledwithwonder，withamazement，werefixeduponherhand。
Sheglancedcautiouslyabouther。Assuredshewasalone，withherotherhandsheliftedtheoneWinthrophadkissedandhelditpressedagainstherlips。
Thefoldingdoorswerethrownopen，lettinginafloodoflight，andMabelVance，enteringswiftly，kneltatthetableandbentherheadclosetoVera。
"Thatwoman\'sinthehall，"shewhispered，"thatnieceofHallowell\'s。PaulandManniecan\'tgetridofher。Nowshe\'sgotholdofWinthrop。Shesaysshewillseeyou。Becareful!"
Verarose。ThatMabelmightnotseeshehadbeenweeping，shewalkedtothepiano，covertlydryinghereyes。
"What，"sheaskeddully，"doesshewantwithme？"
"Abouttonight，"answeredMabel。Sheexclaimedfiercely，"Itoldthemthere\'dbetrouble!"
WithVanceuponherheels，HelenCoatescameinquicklyfromthehall。Herfacewasflushed，hereyeslitwithindignationandexcitement。Inherhandsheheldanopenletter。
AsthoughtoprotectVera，bothVanceandhiswifemovedbetweenherandtheirvisitor，but，disregardingthem，MissCoatesatoncesingledoutthegirlasheropponent。
"YouaretheyoungwomantheycallVera，Ibelieve，"shesaid。
"IhaveanoteherefromMr。Hallowelltellingmeyouaregivingaseancetonightathishouse。Thatyouproposetoexhibitthespiritofmymother。Thatisaninsulttothememoryofmymotherandtome。AndIwarnyou，ifyouattemptsuchathing，I
willpreventit。"
Therewasapause。WhenVeraspokeitwasinthetoneofevery-
daypoliteness。Hervoicewasevenandsteady。
"Youhavebeenmisinformed，"shesaid，"therewillbenoseancetonight。"
VanceturnedtoVera，and，inavoicelowerthanherown，butsufficientlyloudtoincludeMissCoates，said:"Idon\'tthinkwetoldyouthatMr。Hallowellhimselfinsiststhatthisladyandherfriendsbepresent。"
"Herpresencemakesnodifference，"saidVeraquietly。"Therewillbenoseancetonight。Iwilltellyouaboutitlater，Paul，"sheadded。Shestartedtowardthedoor，butMissCoatesmovedasthoughtointercepther。
"Ifyouthink，"shecriedeagerly，"youcangiveaseancetoMr。
Hallowellwithoutmyknowingit，youaremistaken。"
Verapaused，andmadeaslightinclinationofherhead。
"Thatwasnotmyidea，"shesaid。ShelookedappealinglytoVance。"Isthatnotenough，Paul？"sheasked。
"Quiteenough!"exclaimedtheman。Heturnedtothevisitorandmadeacurtmovementofthehandtowardtheopendoor。
"Therewillbeaseancetonight，"hedeclared。"AtMr。
Hallowell\'s。Ifyouwishtoprotestagainstit，youcandosothere。Thisismyhouse。Ifyouhavefinished——"Herepeatedthegesturetowardtheopendoor。
"Ihavenotfinished，"saidMissCoatessharply；"andifyoutakemyadvice，youwillfollowherexample。"WithanodoftheheadshesignifiedVera。"Whensheseesshe\'sindanger，sheknowsenoughtostop。Thisisnotaquestionofafewmedium\'stricks，"shecried，contemptuously。"Iknowallthatyouplannedtodo，andIintendthattomorroweveryoneinNewYorkshallknowittoo。"
LikeacloakVera\'sself-possessionfellfromher。Inalarmshemovedforward。
"Whatdoyoumean？"shedemanded。
"Ihavehadyoupeoplefollowedprettyclosely，"saidMissCoates。Hertonewasassured。Shewasconfidentthatofthosebeforehershewasthemaster，andthatofthatfacttheywereaware。
"Iknow，"shewenton，"justhowyoutriedtoimposeuponmyuncle——howyoutriedtorobme，andtonightIhaveinvitedthereporterstomyhousetogivethemthefacts。"
WithacryVerarantoher。
"No!"shebegged，"youwon\'tdothat。Youmustnotdothat!"
"Lethertalk!"growledVance。"Lethertalk!She\'sfunny。"
"No!"commandedVera。Hervoicerangwiththedistress。"Shecannotdothat!"SheturnedtoMissCoates。"Wehaven\'thurtyou，"shepleaded；"wehaven\'ttakenyourmoney。Ipromiseyou，"
shecried，"wewillneverseeMr。Hallowellagain。Ibegofyou——"
Vanceindignantlycaughtherbythearmanddrewherback。"Youdon\'tbegnothingofher!"hecried。
"Ido，"Veraansweredwildly。ShecaughtVance\'shandinbothofhers。"Ihaveachance，Paul，"sheentreated，"don\'tforcemethroughitagain。Ican\'tstandtheshameofitagain。"Oncemoresheappealedtothevisitor。"Don\'t!"shebegged。"Don\'tshameme。"
Buttheeyesoftheoldergirl，blindtoeverythingsavewhat，asshesawit，washerduty，showednoconsideration。
Vera\'shands，tremblingonhisarm，droveVancetodeeperanger。
HeturnedsavagelyuponMissCoates。
"Youhaven\'tlostanythingyet，haveyou？"hedemanded。"Shehasn\'thurtyou，hasshe？Ifit\'srevengeyouwant，"hecriedinsolently，"whydon\'tyouthrowvitriolonthegirl？"
"Revenge!"exclaimedMissCoatesindignantly。"Itismyduty。Mypublicduty。I\'mnotaloneinthis；IamactingwiththeDistrictAttorney。Itisourduty。"Sheturnedsuddenlyandcalled，"Mr。Winthrop，Mr。Winthrop!"
ForthefirsttimeVerasaw，underthegasjet，atthefartherendofthehall，thefiguresofMannieandWinthrop。
"No，no!"sheprotested，"Ibegofyou，"shecriedhysterically。
"I\'vegotachance。Ifyouprintthisthingtomorrow，I\'llneverhaveachanceagain。Don\'ttakeitawayfromme。"Impulsivelyherarmsreachedoutinaneagerfinalappeal。"I\'mdown，"shesaidsimply，"givemeachancetogetup。"
WhenMissCoatescametogivebattletotheVances，sheforesawtheinterviewmightbeunpleasant。Itwasprovingevenmoreunpleasantthanshehadexpected，butherdutyseemednonethelessobvious。
"Youshouldhavethoughtofthat，"shesaid，"beforeyouwerefoundout。"
ForaninstantVerastoodmotionless，staring，unconsciouslyholdingtheattitudeofappeal。Butwhen，bytheselastwords，sherecognizedthatherhumiliationcouldgonofurther，withaninarticulateexclamationsheturnedaway。
"Thepublichastherighttoknow，"declaredMissCoates，"thesortofpeopleyouare。Ihavetherecordofeachofyou——"
FromthehallWinthrophadenteredquickly，but，disregardinghim，Vancebrokeinuponthespeaker，savagely，defiantly。
"Printem，then!"heshouted，"printem!"
"Imeanto，"declaredMissCoates，"yours，andhers，she——"
Winthropplacedhimselfinfrontofher，shuttingherofffromtheothers。Hespokeinanearnestwhisper。
"Don\'t!"hebegged。"Shehasaskedforachance。Giveherachance。"
MissCoatesscornedtospeakinwhispers。
"Shehashadachance，"sheprotestedloudly。"She\'shadachancefornineyears；andshe\'schosentobeacharlatanandacheat，and——"Theangrywomanhesitated，andthenflungtheword——"andathief!"
InthesilencethatfollowednooneturnedtowardVera；butasitcontinuedunbrokeneachraisedhiseyesandlookedather。
Theysawherdrawntoherfullheight；thecolorflownfromherface，herdeep，broodingeyesflashing。Shewaslikeonebysomereligiousfervorliftedoutofherself，exalted。Whenshespokehervoicewaslow，tense。Itvibratedwithtremendous，wonderingindignation。
"DoyouknowwhoIam？"sheasked。Shespokelikeoneinatrance。"Doyouknowwhoyouarethreateningwithyourpoliceandyourlaws？Iamapriestess!Iamamediumbetweenthesoulsofthisworldandthenext。IamVera——theTruth!AndImean，"
thegirlcriedsuddenly，harshly，flingingoutherarm，"thatyoushallhearthetruth!TonightIwillbringyourmotherfromthegravetospeakittoyou!"
Withaswift，sweepinggestureshepointedtothedoor。"Takethosepeopleaway!"shecried。
TheeyesofWinthropwerefilledwithpity。"Vera!"hesaid，"Vera!"
Foraninstant，againstthetendernessandreproachinhisvoicethegirlheldherselfmotionless；andthen，fallingupontheshoulderofMrs。Vance，burstintogirlish，heart-brokentears。
"Takethemaway，"shesobbed，"takethemaway!"
MannieDayandVanceclosedinuponthevisitors，andmotioningthembeforethem，drovethemfromtheroom。
PartIII
ThedepartureoftheDistrictAttorneyandMissCoatesleftVerafreetoconsiderhowserious，ifshecarriedoutherthreat，theconsequencesmightbe。Butofthischanceshedidnotavailherself。Instead，withnervouszealshebegantoprepareforhermasquerade。ItwasasthoughherpromisetoWinthroptoabandonheroldfriendshadfilledherwithremorse，andthatshenow，byanextravaganceofloyalty，wasendeavoringtomakeamends。
Atnineo\'clock，withtheVances，shearrivedatthehouseofMr。Hallowell。Already，tothesameplace，awagonhadcarriedthecabinet，aparlororgan，andadozenofthosecampchairsthatareassociatedwithhouseweddingsandfunerals；andwhile，inthelibrary，VanceandManniearrangedthesetotheirliking，onthethirdfloorVera，withMrs。Vance，waitedforthatmomenttoarrivewhenVanceconsideredherentrancewouldbethemosteffective。
Thisentrancewastobemadethroughthedoorwaythatopenedfromthehallonthesecondstoryintothelibrary。Totherightofthisdoor，inanangleoftwowalls，wasthecabinet，andontheleft，thefirstofthecampchairs。Thesehadbeenplacedinasemicirclethatstretchedacrosstheroom，andendedattheparlororgan。ThedoorfromMr。Hallowell\'sbedroomopeneddirectlyuponthesemicircleatthepointmostdistantfromthecabinet。InthecentreofthesemicircleVancehadplacedtheinvalid\'sarmchair。
Vance，inhismannerasprofessionalandundisturbedasaphotographerfocussinghiscameraandarranginghisscreens，wasexplainingtoJudgeGaylorthesettingofhisstage。Thejudgewasanunwillingaudience。Unliketheshowman，forhimtheoccasionheldonlyterrors。Hewasdrivenbymisgivings，sweptbysuddenpanics。Hescowledatthecabinet，intrudingupontheprivacyoftheroomwhereforyears，withouttheaidofaccessories，byhisbrainsalone，hehadbroughtMr。Hallowellalmosttothepointofabjectsubmissiontohiswishes。HeturneduponVancewithbitterself-disgust。
"So，I\'vegotdownaslowasthis，haveI？"hedemanded。
Vanceheardhim，undisturbed。
"Imustaskyou，"hesaid，briskly，"tohelpmekeepthepeoplejustasIseatthem。Theywillbeinthishalf-circlefacingthecabinetandholdinghands。Thoseweknowareagainstus，"heexplained，"willhaveoneofmyfriends，ProfessorStrombergk，orMrs。Marsh，ormywife，oneachsideofhim。Ifthereshouldbeanyattempttorushthecabinet，wemustgettherefirst。I
willbeoutsidethecabinetworkingtherappings，thefloatingmusic，andtheastralbodies。"AtthesightoftheexpressionthesewordsbroughttothefaceofGaylor，Vancepermittedhimselftheshadowofasmile。"Icantakecareofmyself，"hewenton，"butremember——Veramustnotbecaughtoutsidethecabinet!Whenthelightsgoup，shemustbefoundwiththeropesstilltied。"
Gaylorturnedfromhimwithanexclamationofdisgust。
"Pah!"hemuttered。"It\'sahellofabusiness!"
Vancecontinuedunmoved。"And，anotherthing，"hesaid，"abouttheselights；thisswitchthrowsthemalloff，doesn\'tit？"Hepressedabuttonontheleftofthedoor，andtheelectriclightsinthewallsandunderagreenshadeonthelibrarytablefadedanddisappeared，leavingtheroom，saveforthelightfromthehall，indarkness。
"That\'sthewaywewantit，"saidtheshowman。
FromthehallMannieappearedbetweenthecurtainsthathungacrossthedoorway。"Whatareyoudoingwiththelights？"hedemanded。"Youwanttobreakmyneck？Allourpeoplearedownstairs，"heannounced。
Vanceturnedonthelights。AtthesamemomentRaineycamefromthebedroomintothelibrary。Itwasevidentthattosustainhiscouragehehadbeendrinking。Hemadenoefforttogreetthoseintheroom，butstood，glaringresentfullyatthecabinetandtherowofchairs。
"Well，"exclaimedVancecheerfully，"ifourfolksareallhere，we\'reallright。"
Glancingbehindhim，MannietookVancebythesleeve，andledhimtothecentreoftheroom。
"No，we\'renotallright，"saidtheboy，"thatMissCoateshasbroughtafriendwithher。ShesaysHallowelltoldhershecouldbringafriend。Shesaysthisyoungfellowisherfriend。I
thinkhe\'saPink!"
"Whatnonsense，"exclaimedGaylorinalarm。"Nodetectivewouldforcehiswayintothishouse。"
"Shesays，"continuedMannie，disregardingGaylor，andstilladdressingVance，"he\'saseekeraftertheTruth。I\'llbet，"
declaredtheboyviolently，"he\'saseekerafterthetruth!"
Garrettcamehastilyandnoiselesslyintotheroom。HenoddedtowardMannie。
"Hashetoldyou？"heasked。
"Yes，"Gayloranswered，"whoishe？"
"Thereporterwhowasherethismorning，"Garrettreturned。"Theonewhothreatened——"
"That\'lldo，"commandedGaylor。Inthefaceofthisnewcomplicationheagainbecamehimself。SuavelyandpolitelyheturnedtoVance。"WillyouandyourfriendjoinMissVera，"heasked，"andtellherthatwebegininafewminutes？"
Forthefirsttime，aggressivelyandoffensivelyRaineybrokehissilence。
"No，wewon\'tbegininafewminutes，"heannounced，"notbyadamnedsight!"
Theexplosionwassounexpectedthat，foraninstant，whiletheeyesofallwerefixedinastonishmentuponthespeaker，therewascompletesilence。Gaylor，stillsuave，stillpolite，lookedtowardVance，andmotionedhimtothedoor。
"WillyoukindlydoasIask？"hesaid。WithMannieathisside，Vancewalkedquicklyfromtheroom。Onceinthehall，theboylaidadetaininghanduponthearmoftheolderman。
"Ifyou\'lltakemyadvice，whichyouwon\'t，"hesaid，"we\'llallcutandrunnow，whilewegotthechance!"
Inthelibrary，Gaylorturnedsavagelyuponhisfellowconspirator。
"Well!"hedemanded。
Raineyfrownedathimsulkily。"Iwashmyhandsofthewholething!"hecried。
Gaylordroppedhisvoicetoawhisper。
"Whatareyouafraidofnow？:hedemanded。"Ifyou\'renotafraidofadistrictattorney，whyareyouafraidofareporter？"
"I\'mnotafraidofanybody，"returnedRainey，thickly。"But，I
don\'tmeantobeapartytonomurder!"Hepaused，shakinghisheadportentously。"Thatmaninthere，"hewhispered，noddingtowardthebedroom，"isinnoconditiontogothroughthis。
Afterthatshockthismorning，andlastnight——it\'llkillhim。
Hisheart\'srotten，Itellyou，rotten!"
Garrettsnarledcontemptuously。
"Howdoyouknow？"hedemanded。
"HowdoIknow？"returnedRainey，fiercely。"Iwasfouryearsinamedicalcollege，whenyouwereinjail，you——""Stopthat!"
criedGaylor。Glancingfearfullytowardtheopendoor，heinterposedbetweenthem。
"Don\'ttakemyadvice，then，"criedRainey。"Goon!Killhim!
Andhewon\'tsignyourwill。Only，don\'tsayIdidn\'ttellyou。"
"Haveyoutoldhim？"demandedGaylor。
"Yes，"Raineyansweredstoutly。"Toldhimifhedidn\'tstopthis，hewouldn\'tlivetillmorning。"
"Areweforcinghimtodothis？"demandedGaylor。"No!He\'sforcingitonus。MyGod!"heexclaimed，"doyouthinkIwantthisfarce？Yousay，yourself，youtoldhimitwouldkillhim，andhewillgoonwithit。Thenwhydoyoublameus？Canwehelpourselves？"
Thebutlerhaddistinguishedthesoundsoffootstepsinthehall。Hefellhastilytorearrangingthecampchairs。
"Hush!"hewarned。"Lookout!"GaylorandRaineyhadbuttimetomoveapart，whenWinthropentered。Heregardedthethreemenwithasmileofunderstanding。
"Ibegpardon，"heexclaimed，"Iaminterrupting？"
Gaylorgreetedhimwithexaggeratedheartiness。
"Ah，itisMr。Winthrop!"hecried。"Haveyoucometohelpusfindoutthetruththisevening？"
"Icertainlyhopenot!"saidWinthropbrusquely。"Iknowthetruthabouttoomanypeoplealready。"HeturnedtoGarrett，who，unobtrusively，wasendeavoringtomakehisescape。
"IwanttoseeMissVera，"hesaid。
"MissVera，"interposedGaylor。"I\'mafraidthat\'snotpossible。
Sheespeciallyaskednottobedisturbedbeforetheseance。I\'msorry。"
Winthrop\'smannerbecamesuspiciouslypolite。
"Yes？"heinquired。"Well，neverthelessIthinkI\'llaskher。
TellMissVera，please，"hesaidtoGarrett，"thatMr。Winthropwouldlikeawordwithherhere，"withsignificanceheadded，"inprivate。"
Inoffendeddignity，JudgeGaylormovedtowardthedoor。"Dr。
Rainey，"hesaidstiffly，"willyoupleaseinformMr。Hallowellthathisguestsarenowhere，andthatIhavegonetobringthemupstairs。"
