Frederic Taber Cooper

“ In his blind haste to win the world's prizes for her, he had made the blunder of leaving her alone; he had not learned that a woman's love demands the services of play as well as of work. He saw, now that it was too late, how, by his own fault, she had been flung back on other companionship, not always wisely chosen—men whom he ought to have shielded her from knowing, men of the type of Brandon Dana. ”

“ What can you prove? That's the point, what can you prove? Nothing! Just nothing at all! My word is as good as yours—perhaps a little better since the verdict. Let well enough alone, my dear, and when a fellow wants to treat you right, try to meet him half way!"
It seemed to Morgan Griswold as if there had never been a moment in his life when his thoughts were so lucid, his purpose so deliberately planned. With automatic calm, he drew the curtain aside and stood revealed. ”

“ He might have found it in his heart to forgive; he might have been weakling enough to take her back, had the man been any other than the one she had so strangely, so incredibly preferred. He had believed, in blind security, that he knew Natalie through and through—knew how fine she was by nature, how fastidious in her tastes, how scornful of frailty in others. Yet there was the damnable, black, proved fact of Brandon Dana. ”

“ He had already become schooled to the thought that, when once the need of keeping up the farce was over, Natalie and Brandon Dana would be seen together publicly; but the sight was one that he himself was not yet ready to bear. Instinctively, he recoiled behind the heavy portiere that screened the bedroom from the parlor before he realized that their tones were the opposite of friendly. Natalie's was vibrant with anger.
"How dare you! How dare you!" she flung at the man with her, from between set teeth. ”

“ You're jealous! Jealous of a woman who doesn't even exist! Jove, but you're handsome when you're angry! So you thought I was off with another woman? I wonder what you would give to know where I really was?"
If the woman was aware of the imminence of his self-betrayal, she at least gave no sign. It was apparent that she must make no slip, in word or act, if he was to be led into complete revelation.
"That is something I never can krtow," she retorted. "I should not believe you, even if you told the truth. I refuse, once for all, to listen!"
"Oh, come now, Natalie, I can read you like a book! ”

“ Morgan was speaking again, in words that, short and simple as they were, nevertheless went through him like the prod of sharp steel.
"Not so fast! Sit down. I meant to kill you—I may do it yet. I didn't kill you, because I'm going to make you useful. You're going to tell the world what a dirty cur you are. There is a pen; there is paper. Now, begin: 'I, Brandon Dana———' Goon—be quick about it! ”

“ You're still thinking of the other woman, and I tell you there isn't any other woman—there can't be any other woman so long as I know you. You don't have to take my word for it; I can prove it easy enough—I can find people who remember where I was, all right. ”

“ Come, now, Natalie, don't be foolish. I had rather not raise a row here in the hall, but I've get to have a talk with you, and I've got to come in. It'll be your own fault if you advertise the fact to the whole house. ”

“ We must be remarried, when and where you will, as quietly or as publicly as you see fit. We must decide how best to make the world understand the whole colossal blunder. Then—then I will go away, Natalie ”

“ Morgan felt rather than heard the swift, unequal struggle, the cautious closing of the door, and the man's step preceding the woman's across the polished flooring of hall and parlor. Every nerve, as he listened, was goading him to commit the folly of interference; but, when she next spoke, Natalie's recovered self-control restrained him.
"It was rather brutal, don't you think, to use force? If I must listen, kindly be as brief as possible, and then go."
"Oh, I say, Natalie, don't be foolish. You can't afford to fling over the best friend you've got."
"The-best friend I've got? Oh, no, Mr. Dana ”