Blow the Man Down - A Romance of the Coast

"Certain sensible things can be done," Marston called after him. "You'd

better get out of New York. If you know of a place to hide you'd better

get into it."

Mayo did not reply. He strode out through the offices, descended to the

street, and went on his way.

He did not notice that an automobile pursued him through the roaring

traffic of the streets, halting ahead of him when, he had turned into

one of the quieter thoroughfares.

The car was close to the curb, and Alma Marston put out her hand and

signaled to him. "He gave-you no hope-nothing?"

"Nothing!"

"I have waited. I thought of asking you to come for a talk with me."

He shook his head.

"Perhaps it's better as it is! There isn't very much to be said-not

now!" She leaned over the side of the tonneau and the clatter of traffic

enabled her to talk without taking the eavesdropping chauffeur into

their confidence. "I am not worthy of your thoughts or your confidence

after this, Boyd. What I was yesterday I am not to-day; I have told you

that. No, do not say anything! I know, now, that I was only playing with

love. I cannot name what I feel for you now; I have insulted the word

'love' too much in the past. I'm not going to say anything about it. Was

it any excuse for me that you had sunk a ship, were going to prison for

killing men, so the papers hinted? No, it was not! But I allowed myself

to make it an excuse for folly."

"You don't know what love is," he declared. In the agony of his

degradation he had no relish for softer sentiments. But he did not dare

to look up at her.

"I did not know! But perhaps some day I can show you that I do now

know," she replied, humbly. "That will be the day when I can give you

the proofs against the men who have tried to ruin you. I am inside the

camp of your enemies, Boyd, and I'll give you those proofs--even against

my own father, if he is guilty. That's all! Let's wait. But while you

are working I hope it's going to give you a bit of courage to know that

I am working for you!" She patted his cheek. "Go on!" she called to her

driver. The car jerked forward and was hidden among the chariots roaring

down through the modern Babylon.