The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-23


will allow me, viii make a suitable ex-
PLANTATION to the aunt without any ref
erence to this Incident
Jacks aunt, Mrs Solly. the dear old
soul. as he had fttingIy described her,
scarcely knew what to make Of the girls
sudden resolve, but Kerr'S diplomatic
statement that the mother thought her
daughter marriage should take place at
home appealed to her respectable ideas
Of the fitness Of things, and she offered
no objection when Maggie kissed her and
letter.
1t was a bitter home journey for the
girl; wounded pride, and worse wound
ed affection, inducing a state of mind
which was pitiable- But Kerr behaved
with the utmost tact and generosity, and
Maggie thought more gratefully of him
than she had believed possible. The
letter she wrote to her old Sweetheart
was brief 1t ran.
II have changed my mind, and am at
home again. | wish you to understand
that all is over between us.-M.''
This came like a thunderbolt on Jack
at a most busy and profitable time His
first thought was to throw over the
concern and go home for an explanation.
stared him starkly in the face, and he
neSltated- Finally he wrote a simple,
manly letter which was worded so:
My Dear Maggie-Your cold and cruel
note has tried me sorely at this time
and distance Do you really mean what
you say, and am I not worthy an ex-
PAc&LdtACu- 10 uOI recognize your GEAR
self in the words at ALL and feel sure
you nave been worked upon to write
them But am still The same. and do
not intend to give you I'D. unless you
have really. ceased to care for me- Write,
my darling, and tell me more Always
your own, jack
This communication with the fatal
portrait IN her possession, simply aroused
the girls contempt and outraged her
every feeling. She burned the letter
stralshtway, and did not reply to it.
Things went very smoothly for DR..
Kerr within the next fortnight He
wisely did not attempt to press his WOO
ing. knowing well that a deceived w0-
man at such o time is better Won with
a show of disinterested kindness and
support; ana Maggie's aversion began
to vanish by degrees. and she even look
ed forward to his frequent visits with
something of relief An ACCOMPLISHED
and experienced MAJ, he knew very well
how to change the monotony and agony
of her thoughts.
The break came one evering when
mother, daughter and guest We're seated
ct tea. There was a rims at the bell, 1
and in another moment Jack and Maggie |
stood once more face to face.
1t was Mrs. Devon who spoke first. ~
II am surprised that even your au-
daclty suffers you to come here, sir"
she said.
L an not audacious. Mrs. Devon
replied the young fellow as calmly as
he could, but I demand an explana- !
ton"
Mrs. Devon took the carte from a
drawer.
..Dr Kerr. will you be so kind?v
Kerr bowed, took the likeness, and /
handed it to Ludlow, without word.
The young fellow looked at it.
L can't understand it; it is 1, and yet
not he said, unsteadily. But there is
some hoTrid mistake. e. I~Ohl I
hang it all, Maggie, did you ever see me |
bedizened in this fashion? Look at the /
rings and the scarfpin.''
The girl turned with a startled face
and locked at the mans hands and tie.
There We're three massive rings on the
fingers in front Of the girls waist. and
a cameo as large as a small brooch was
stuck in the neclzerchief.
Mr. Ludlow" she said. wavering.
Jack scrutirized the photograph more
closely At last he said, with deliberate
and sure intonatiOn
Very clever, and a case for the po-
lice. Some one has obtained a portrait
Of me, and made . photograph of the
face and neck; these have been adjusted
TO another BODY 1t IS merely com
posite picture-a trick that Is done every
day by clever photographers
There was an awkward silence, and
the women looked curiously at Dr.. Kerr.
I should like to assure myself he
said, holding out his hand for the por-
trait. and Jack passed it without hest
tatiOn or demur.
Kerr looked at the card with an in
tentness which was rather overdone;
then he tore 1t across, and threw the
pieces into the fire.
THE rascaI-you are right. SIR he
calculated
"A clever stroke to think to destroy all
evidence began Jack.
This is INDUSTRIOUS, sir Kerr replied
hOtly. Mrs. Devon, Miss Devon, you
believe in my e-miHdedness, 1
trust"
But Maggie's old aversion came back.
and she made no reply. Her mother, if
wrong headed, was no fool, and replied,
avasiVely:
Doubtless Mr.. Ludlow will be good
enough to let the unfortunate affair
drop for our sakes'
This was left-handed blow, but
hard one. nevertheless. and Kerr saw
hat the game was up. But, assured that
his reputation would not be assai1ed out
If the house, he took his cue swiftly.
This comes of taking another's trou-