The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-03-22


never so much smoke without n lttlo
fire. T.
Mrs. Alison interrupted him with blaz-
ing eyes. "Rumors, indeed. You need
say 10 more. do not believe one word
OF II at all, and shall go. That is de-
But, Maud
don't wish to hear any more. am
going" "N'
And she went-went with Mrs. Leigh
ton when she called for her-went with =
Shillins face and an angry, rebellious
heart.
ne NllVertons greeted her with effu-
SION. But there were very few of hor scr
present. Somehow the atmo>phere snem-
ed different one from what She had
been accustomed to. There were a num-
per OF strangers present. ladies and gen
tlemcn. The former did not impress her
1ayorabiy, and the latter seemed rather
demonStrative in their dcyotions to tho
fairer sex. Mr.. Wilverton made her nm
comfortable, moreover with his norsist-
ent attentions, and altogether she was
not sorry when Mrs Leighton pronoseJ
returning home. They went early, and
most of their particular set followed in
lhelr wakc-those, at least, who had NOT
gone before.
Very little conversation passed bnt,voon
Mr.. and Mrs. Alison that night-yerv Iit.
tie for some days thereafter. He consid-
eted hlmseif justly aggricved and was in
dlEnant accordingly. She felt herself in
the wrong, was too proud to own it and
was miserable in consequence.
Meanwhile the whispers against the
NllVertonS increased in number and i'm.
portance. 1t began to be generally con.
ceded that there was something wrong
about them, and people who had taken
tnem up on trust We're gradually drop
ping their acquaintance. Mrs. Alison.
however, prided herself on being no sum
mer friend, and her intimacy with the
Nilvertons seemed in nowise diminished
seemed, | say, for she was growing ia
dislike them both as she saw more and
more of them. Mrs. Wilverton's dashing
ways seemed coarse now. and no word
could tell how she was growing to loothe
the man, who grew more bold and
outSpoken in his admiration of her each
day.
But the end was very near.
Mr. Alison came up to dinner one even
ing in half subdued tremor of excite.
ment.
Maud, dear, l have news for you" he
said, striving to speak calmly, but fail
ing signally in the attempt.
Mrs. Alison looked up a little surpris-
ed at the dear" which had fallen from
his lips but rarely since that unfortunate
ball, but. truth to tell, rather glad to
hear it again.
What is it?"
Its about the Wilvertons. You see. ''
he went on hurriedly, there's been. rs
you know, a great deal of talk about
them lately-more, perhaps, than you
We're aware of-and people haven't scru-
pied to call them adventurers. if not
swlndlers. 1t seems that they were even
worse than that"
What" cried Mrs. Alison sharply.
Criminals. At least the man is. lie
was arrested this morning by detective
who has been on his track for some time.
Ills very holiness in coming here and
launching out in the style he has. under
an assumed name and with all the ap-
pearaEce Of great wealth. had thrown
the police off the scent for u little while,
but they have got him now. and he's safe
for 20 years term at least"
What hes he done?" asked Mrs. Ali
son.
Perhaps YOU will recognize his real
name-it is Willis
THE notorious bank robber?"
'l,a
Mrs. Alison did not speak for many
minutes. Then she remembered that she
had been, or tried to be, friend Of Mrs.
Wilverton. She could not desert her
now that so {errible a sorrow had fallen
upon her.
"WilI you ring the bell for Lucy?" she
said to her husband very quietly Il want
my bonnet and shawl. am going to see
Mrs. Wilyerton. She ought not to be left
to bear this trouble alone, and | know
of no one who will go to her now"
Mr. Alison stared, amazed. Even he
had never realized half the real nobility
that despite her faults was inherent in
his wife's nature. She had risen now
and was standing very pale and still by
the table. He went TO her and put his
arms around her and drew her head
down to his breast.
'Aly noble Maud" was all he said.
She clung to him sobbing.
"Oh, Fred, you do forgive me for treat
ing you so badly the other night|' she
pleaded. Pm 50 sorry now"
Il need forgiveness, too, darling. for
having been sullen," he answered ear
nestly, "and we viii both forget. and for
give. Shall it not be so?'
She lifted her face and kissed him soft
".
"And poor Mrs. Wilyerton, Fred! VIII
you not go with me to see her. do not
like her, really, though | have tried TO,
but | cannot leave her to bear this
alone"
Mr. Alison held his wife in a close
clasp.
81 have not told you all. dear" he said.
"Thcre is no Mrs. Wilverton. or Willis,
as her name would be if she had any
right to bear the name of tine man she
has lived with all those months and who,
il reports say true, ruined himself and
committed the robbery to CRAFTY her 90
trayagant demands"
"Fredw And Mrs. Alison's face grew
very pale. You don't mean that she'-
"Was not his wife" he answered stern
".
1t was a severe lesson, not only to Mrs.
Alison. but to the people of Bolton who
had admitted these people into heir SO
ciety without question, simply because
Of the lavish display OF wealth they
made. and, it is safe to say. thoroughly
Clrcctual one.
Moreover there are few differences Of
opinion between Mr. and Mrs Alison
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