Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-06-20
CHAPTER Ig.-tContinued. J

4 laugh lidt Alfeue AiteicSttilS A4ANdIAtiS
SILVER. Il wasn't born yesterday. When
your father found out the marriage, and
made you a pauper instead of his heir,
wasn't going 10 be hampered-I told
YOU that plain enough"
On effect said Inglesant coolly, "you
think now there is money, you may as
well hlve some of it"
That's it, sonny"
you are delightfully."- and cynically
frank" said Max. Il suppose you make
good deal of money by your profes
sion?"
Rather! But that's no reason why
shouldn't have more if 1 can get it
specially my husbands money"
Certainly not-from your point of
view. The getting it is the difficulty. If
you were destitute, and | We're satisfied
that YOU really are my brothers wife, I
might settle something upon you; but
since You are making good income, and
YOU have no moral claims whatever.
there is no reason why / should subsi-
die you, and | will not be blackmailed.
Please understand that"
He rose. as if to end the interview.
Lola rose too. She still thought that the
T.,
but she was not quite so sure as She had
been, and she saw that, for the present,
at any rate, she was batffed. 1t seemed
unlikely that Max would play a game
attended by such grave risk; vet similar
things had been DONE and that under
far less favorable conditions. Inglesant
either really was Alexis, or his effrontery
was astounding. She had not caught
him tripping by so much as a look.
What was she to do? Like all vulgar
people, when she was driven to bay she
was uncertain and Hurried, and the mans
very perfectly self-posscssed.
cool. sarcastic, the half-amused contenpt
openly expressed on his fine features
all Disconnected her She could rage, and
storm, and bully; but she was no match
for the kind of thing she had to meet to-
night. Her weapons were pokers and
shovels-not fine tempered swords and
rapiers. She burst out with a harsh
laugh, in which one could hear the angry
tears.
you can bluff it out in fine style. but
believe you're Max, for all that Your
very voice is his"
You are not the first who has said
that replied Inglesant, with the same
IoHSiidldHC iHdlhef am sorry Tor
your disappointment. But it is not my
fault that | am not my brother I must
ask you not to repeat this visit-at any
hour. Midnight was a strangely chosen
time"
1t won't hurt you-or me-" she said
with sheer. suppose L claim you
openly?"
She looked at him keenly. Here surely
ne would vince, for the test was a severe
one. But he only laughed and shrugged
his shoulders.
As you please" he said. "But forgive
me if | wrong you in saying that
should think my brother might easily
escape any obligation to maintain YOU"
She had not the mans iron nerve. She
WINGED.
He couldn't get divorce" she said,
defiantly.
Il don't know. But you are afraid.
Take my advice, Nile. Lola, and keep
your secret. Moreover, you seem to for
get that if you proved me to be Max you
would gain nothing, since Max has moth
ing, and is even liable to legal punish
ment | see you had overlooked that lit
tie point
For the woman had started visibly.
Like most cunning, but ignorant and i'm
Pulslve people, she was apt to overlook
details while driving at the main issue;
nut she quickly rallied, seeing-or think
ing she saw-another advantage as a
set-off against failure
In that case" she said, at would be
worth your while to pay me for my
silence"
But again she was foiled. Max Ingle-
SAINT was far too astute to commit the
iataI error of practically admitting guilt
by submitting to blackmail. A bold
game must be played boldly to the finish;
yleidlag to any compromise, or even hest /
tatlon, gives the game away. The horse
tnat smes at a jump comes a eropper |
AGAIN lnglesant shrugged his shoulders |
and laughed.
Why the deuce should pay you 90 he |
eald. DO you really imagine YOU can
carry your case by going up to Bow
street. Tor instance, and swearing that l
am somebody else? And, once more. /
"hat good is Max to your
should have revenge, at any rate"
she SAID shrewishly; but she was waver-
IHS IN her conviction of the mans iden- /
NY IL really looked as if she were mis- !
taKen. She could not comprehend the /
-'"I s"otiety or bold tactics
On well!' said he, "if revenge is /
worth so much trouble and expense. pray |
lake it. Do what you like, so long as
you let me alone. But l warn YOU on /
mat head"-there was no mistaking look /
VI ihanner-''I shall not put up with any
persuctlon, direct or indirect Now there |
must be an end of this. Let me escort !
you to your brougham, Mile. Lola"
ne woman looked at him as a tioress
looks at the keeper she would rend if /
she dared. He met the look. unflinching. 4
win cool contempt in his gaze. and.
passing her by, opened the door. She
was compelled to accept her dismissal.
ana ana went out with an angry dash. Ingle.
SAINT SAINT following, and opening also the
My brougham is farther on" said
- shortly, and she founced out into
T. sge street. Inglesant closed the door be,
.llha her. and returned to his sitting
room. There he flung himself down. and
'', ,t.r his face with his clenched hands.
W nv had ba rpr,o b,aI-g