The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1904-06-23


and read it:
Have got the tickets. Be at my
office not later than T. and we will 60
Till death and after, Alfred"
He sat stunned, rereadlng 1t mechan
ically, as if it meant nothing to him
Gradually the words seemed to burn
into his brain. Here, then, was full
and dreadful confirmation Of bis worst
suspicious He had not been mistaken
last night in thinking there was some
secret understanding between them.
Here was their secret flashed Devil.
derlngly before him.
lie started to his feet and snatched
bis watch from his pocket. A quarter
past 6. There was a bare possibility
that he might even yet be In time to in
tercept them, and he must make the
most Of that.
AS he passed the Hilberts door 4
vaguely forlorn hope tempted him
aside, and he knocked till the servant
opened it.
us Mr.. Hilbert here?' he demanded
8No, sir" -
"Where is Mrs. Hilbert?'
"In the drawing room, sir.g
II want to speak to her. Don't
trouble. l will go to her. He stepped
inside and closed the door, and Nelly
was scared by the pallor and the tense
expression Of his face.
"Why-! What's wrong, Edmund"
she calculated.
He told her, painting and stammerlng
lncoherently.
"Nonsense!" she interrupted. There
must be some mistake'- = s-f'
"There is no mistaken he cried. ~
have his letter to her.
where is it?" sfI l+s
"He says'-he was fumbling hastily
in his pockets-!".he says he has booked
their passage and she is to meet him
at Ills office by Z. Oh, | can't
find it-must have left it at home. But
it doesn't natter-I've told you what it
says. What am to do?'
"0h, dear!' faltered Nelly. "Iknew
III told Alfred last night that he
was far too attentive to Letty-but oh!
| never dreamt"--
"The ruttian!" he ragged, wildly. "If
| can only lay hands on him! But
| can't stop. | want to catch the next
train to Euston. It's a fast train and
may get me to his office just in time"
sob, please wait-let me come with
you" .
They reached the station not a mo-
ment too soon. The train stopped no;
where until it arrived at Euston As
it drew up at the platform Edmund
sprang out and. assisted Nelly to
alight M W
Here! What's up? Where are you
two off to-"
They started round and were face to
face with Alfred Hilbert.
where is my wife," gasped Ed.
mnnd, Selling his arm.
Don't talk like O fool! Tell me
what's happened" .n
"You know well enough
VI tell you don't; | want to know!
And want to know, too, what are you
two tearing off together like this for?'
Either he was q hardened and &C.
complished hypocrite or he really did
find it hard to realize exactly what he
was charged with, and eventually he
was as batlled as themselves.
"All can say is" he reiterated, "that
note was not from me-"
But it's in your writing" Edmund
insisted. 9i-''fHat34
Cant help that. I've never written
to Lefty in my life-not since you've
known her, Ned, anyhow, Where's
tile letterW
Il thought | had 1t with NEED.
muhd began to search through his
pockets again-"I must have left it.
No, here 1t is"
He pulled 1t out, and the other two
read it over his shoulder.
Eyes, that's mine, right enough Al.
fred admitted. Then, all Of a sudden
he broke into q roar Of laughter. ut
is mine"
Its no laughing natter
why, mustn't a man write 10 his
own wife, then? It's the note sent to
Nell, here, the day before yesterday
ut can't be! How can it be?' pro-
tested Edmund 81 found 1t at my
house-in the fireplace
"Allrlght!e You ask Nelly ',-,-
Nelly glanced at 1t again eagerly.
$50 it is!9 she cried, laughing hyster.
icaly. "We were going to tile theatre,
and weren't sure whether we could get
seats and Alfred was to try and book
them on bis way TO the city and let me
know, and that's his note"
"And you both thought u
"Well, but Edmund interrupted, re.
lleved and mortified at the turn affairs
had taken, "how is 1t that 1t was In my
hou@?'
"Why, | called to see Lefty this