The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-15
The TRAGIC TRIANGLE.


"One!"
The woman's voice was low and even,
with just a suspicion of the trill of tri-
umph.
Two men stood on either side of the
table facing each other. Their right
arms were extended so that the muz-
zles of the pistols they held almost
touched each other.
The younger man was calm, but pale.
He looked steadily before him. His
lips were compressed rigidly. The elder
mans face was flushed, and there was
a CLEAN of anger in his bloodshot eyes.
A moment before he had been intoxi-
Gated with wine and passion. He looked
at his opponent and saw his friend of
other days. The CLEAN of anger died
away, and his eyes faded far into the
past when he, Louis D'Antre, and Henri
LaScelles were comrades, brothers in
arms, brothers in all but blood-ay,
more than brothers of blood. Then their
thoughts were in common, their lives
lived together in unison. He corrected
the rash impulses of generous youth,
and received in return hot enthusiasmS
for great causes.
Together they had toured the world
Together they had spent money and
risked their lives for the cause of free
dom-for Italy, and later for their own
native France. Not a breath of dissen-
sion had ever come between them until
they met this woman, who now stood at
the end of the table, their hostess who
ldo lnN4LCO OlG VI lu0Iu 10 QSdLH.
He loved her. and Henri had tried to
rob him of her love. They met her here
in Paris. beautiful creature. alluring.
incomparably desirable. He had known
her Srst, had loved her first, too, and
then, firm in the faith of his friend. he
had brought Henri to her. After that
-? Yes, after that they had both loved
her He knew now. But for four
months they had remained in ignorance
Of each others passion for her Then
one night he discovered that Henri, his
friend, had undermined the affection
that she had borne him. At least, he
thought so, until he upbraided her with
her INCONSISTENCY Then she told him that
her love was still his. but that Henri
possessed a secret that would ruin her
What was it? All. She would tell HIM
but it was not she who would be the
chief sufferer. Henri knew, and Henri
ruled her: he. her Louis and she could
never be happy together while Henri
was possessed of that secret
That was all she had said; but it was
enough. He left her that night with
those words ringing in his ears: IT love
you, my Louis, but we can never be
happy together while that secret lives -
Since then he had been racked by the
old feeling of friendship for Henri pull
ing against his desire for her.
What was she, this woman? Some
one had once asked him that question
with sheer. and he had felled the
sneerer to earth. Yet-wtat was she?
4HS QueStiOi DeCdIne TelIerdnI dIler ne
was told that his friend possessed a
power over her. And in the early morn
ings. when he awoke. it was ever with
the determination to break with her.
| But every night found him there dining
with her and Henri.
He, in his mad frenzy to prove his
| love, had made a will leaving all his
wealth to her She had protested she
did not wish it. But he had insisted
it would show her how he trusted her.
Yet, what was that secret? He had
never asked Henri; he would not so
prcfane her name. So
Tonight they had dined together in
her house She was moody, Henri bril-
! liant, triumphant. When dessert was
on the table Henri put his hand across