Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-05-06

reply.
!, Il see it troubles you" she said, with
the gentlest Difference. "We Will discuss
1t some other time
Whatever reply | may have made was
suppressed by the announcement of Il
visitor. 1t was Meldon. The serious
look on his face assured me that some
thing had happened
PART II.
There is an unexpected peril threat
ening US" he said, when we were alone
in the library. Zone of our friends is
preparing to abscond"
'One of the members? % I asked.
Yes, he is hundreds of thousands
short and is infatuated with an actress.
He wants to take 100000 and fly
But does he fear detection if he re-
mains?"
mo, but his wife has learned of the
actress and proposes to make trouble.
Exposure of his liason would result in
his removal. Don't you see?'
This was indeed serious.
What is to be done? | asked.
The very question | came to ask
you" said Meldon.
Gould this actress be bought off?
How retorted my companion. I'VE
would only expose ourselves to her
What do you say to killing herr"
This made my blood run cold. Muir
der was anything but congenial.
Il will think it over" l answered,
YEARLY.
"Do?'' said Meldon. eve have not the
means at hand to cover up that mans
stealings if he flies. Indeed, the death
of any member of our combination
would be serious
l could see that he was intensely per-
turbed. His face wore haggard look,
and his calm, self-satisfed air had left
him. [ got alarmed for him and did my
best to soothe his agitation.
When he had gone, his suggestion
about murder gave me new idea.
Much as l loved Margaret, nay, pre-
cisely because | loved her, l would
rather she and l were dead than be
dishonored in her eyes. The project
preached by Meldon turned my thoughts
in new direction. Could [ not kill
Margaret and myself? 1t was Il last
resort should affairs reach a crisis.
This thought seemed from that hour
to haunt me. 1t was in my mind when
Meldon visited me the next evening.
DO you think said he" you could
manage to interview this actress with
out arousing suspicion? After al, she
may prove pliable, and it is our only
hope"
'Who is she?'' I asked.
"Gladys Blake
The name gave me a new self-lOath-
IL WAS ludl OI Il DedullluI. ueDdSeu
creature with whom l had had assocla-
tons that | was not at all anxious to re-
new. But | simply had to see her.
Il will try" | answered, quietly.
''You are simply invaluable" replied
my mentor. do so at once"
| had no difficulty in seeing the fair
enSlaver of a fnancier, but the conse-
quences were disgustingly absurd. She
received me in the most appreciative man
ner and Immediately began to talk of
other days. This gave me new key of
the situation. Perhaps it would be pos
sible to win this creature away from our
susceptible fellow conspirator without
compromising our organization.
will pass the hideous days that en-
sued Within a week / had installed
the creature in superb apartments. l.
4 young man in the twenties, married
and passionately in love with my wife.
now led a double life. MeldOn was in
ecstasies. The elder defaulter who had
so nearly ruined us was comparatively
safe.
Why is it that the noblest impulses
in our fellow creatures are so often
sources of the most exquisite torture?
My double life had not endured q month
before | learned that Gladys Blake loved
me dearly. 1t seemed to be the one last
drop in a filled cup of bitterness. She
had no idea that | was now married |
found new depths in her and capacity
for good | never suspected
Dearest" she said, one night 81 am
tempted at times to regret the past.
Yet. for your sake, | am glad.
looked at her in mute inquiry.
'As it isl she said, you will never
marry me. Were it otherwise you
might, and thus ruin your life"
Gladys aroused my interest in spite
the situation she had brought about by
falling in love with me; but l must do
her the justice to say that she never
forced herself upon me. and was always
considerate and patient. [ had hoped
there would be a train of admirers and
that it would be contest of purses, in
which | felt sure of victory. But to
punish me, it proved altogether different.
why would you not marry me" |
asked.
Because l love you, DEAR she an
sWered, tenderly.
The matter was becoming absurd, and
that very absurdity made me internally
rebellious. [ left her and went home
to Margaret. Here again my life was
hell. [ could not be the same any
more. Instead of that, l made her cry
and cry, and then soother her into calm
by declaring that | loved her | Won
dered how others managed these mat
tiers so easily. Meldon told me once that
he had had even worse complications to
deal with in his early manhood
Thus the hideous life went on until l
could endure it no longer. | determined
to give Gladys up. But how tell her?
The wound would be very painful Mel
don was thrown into the most violent
alarm when l made known my deter
mination.
..e You'll ruin us, my boy" said he.
She'll go back to that old fool"
| was not to be shaken. Meldon be-
came profane and cursed all faithful
husbands heartily.
GLADYS said I that evening, 1,oa
know | am not rich
She smiled.
..'But | have money, dearest size
said. Besides, gain it, as you know.
My manager says this has been my best
season. Can l be of service to you?''
l almost cursed aloud in my humilia-
ton at these words.
ut isn't that I managed to reply.
Il cannot maintain you, dear, but I win
not let you maintain me-"
For a minute she looked in silence al
me.
Il cannot believe you do not care for
me- she said at last ''You have done
too much for me to let me doubt your
sentiments VIII lot