The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-11-09
A SCOOP.

I Il. Il
rows Of dark dwellings which lined
each side Of the street made one little
house look brilliantly illuminated by
contrast. Alvin Barstow walked quick
ly toward it, considerably surprised as
he drew nearer to find that it was his
own and not one of the other five in
the row. What could be the meaning
of this lavish use of gas? For second
time in his married life suspicion Of
his wife flashed through his mind.
Once, when they were first married,
there had been a letter-but, "Pshaw!
All that had died out years ago." he
said to himself. Still, it was queer that
she should have received a letter in his
presence and destroyed it without tell
ing him of it's contents. She had
named the writer at his request, but
more than this she had not told him,
and he had been too proud to urge her
confidence. He was annoyed that the
recollection should return so wildly
now. His wife did not expect him be-
fore 1 o'clock, as this was the time
when he usually got home from the
newspaper Office where he was employ
ed, but owing to the illness of one of
the staff he had been ordered to start
in the morning on a 'detail'' to dis
tant town. AS he approached the house
he saw that the DarlOr windows were
wide open and the curtains sWayed to
and fro in the draught From the win
dow Of the adjoining house the head Of
an inquisitive neighbor was furtively
Withdrawn. AS he opened the front
door with his latch key the husband
felt a pang Of shame that he should do
it so softly.
Through the open door of the parlOr
he saw his wife bending over the figure
of a man lying on the lounge. AS he
advanced step nearer he saw that his
wife's late visitor and the writer of the
fetter-a wealthy and prominent man
were the same. At the sight of her
husbands face Mrs. BarstOW appeared
strangely disconnected, but she did not
cease her occupation of bathing the
head of the unconscious man. When
he began to show signs Of returning
consciousness she motioned her hlls-
band back.
Don't let him see you," she said
hastily.
Her gesture was so imperative that
almost involuntarily Barstow moved
out Of sight. An instant later the man
opened his eyes. For q moment he
Eazed stupidity UP at the woman stand
ing over him, then 4 look of hatred
passed over his cOuntenance.
c1D1
she asked
Eyes, I am better, 1 suppose. The
fact is, I'm so used to doing as | d-n
please that I can't stand it to be
crossed He raised up on one elbow
and glared at her. Are you a woman
OF a devil that you defy me so? You
must have a price-name it!'
'Hushr' she cried warningly.
Her husband came forward. and at
sight of him the man fell back on the
pillows
'Ah! So you have told him.
IL nave told him nothing" she re-
piled with emphasis
She drew her husband out of the
room. He may have a stroke of apo
plexy if he is excited; he came near
lone as it was"
II must know what this means"
You insist?"
~"'Certainly.'
"S'Then you mistrust mel" she broke
e out, sharply.
They regarded each other silently for
a moment. Reproach and appeal were
written in her eyes. He dropped his
own.
eyes," he said shortly.
every well, will tell you after he
has gone"
He grasped her wrist. "You swear
it?'
She recoiled as if he had struck her.
II said I would tell YOU Her voice
was cold. ''You must ring for a car
rage now, and get him home as quick
ly as possible"
They returned to the parlor, but their
visitor maintained sullen silence until
the arrival Of the carriage At the
door he turned to the wife" Remember
the power Of money" he said, and,
without a glance at her husband, he
'Was gone.
When they heard the carriage door
shut husband ard wife faced each
other.
1T will be wrong for me to tell YOU
the meaning of all this, for it is anoth-
er's secret" she began.
II don't care whose secret it isl he
replied, brutally; Il demand to know
the truth, and the whole truth
II once witnessed murder This
man, William Sage, was the principal
and one who was very dear to me was
accessory to the crime
Instantly the expression of the mans
face changed. The jealousy, which had
predominated, vanished, and new
look-heen, shreWd, calculating the
look of a sleuth- hound-took it's place.
''And who was the one who was so
dear to you?'
For a moment she hesitated.
"My father" she whispered.
N'And the victim?'
@'Was George Stern, former partner
of theirs. 1t happened in our cabin
near Altayille, Colorado. The three
had been playing cards, when a dispute
arose and my father charged Stern
with cheating. Stern gave him the lie
and my father knocked him down.
For some time previous there had been
bad blood between them about a mine,
and if was Onlv hnca,1sa S+nrr, b.d Nv