Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-25

republic. He loved to proudly ignore, ana
gaping faces watching the boxes. DR.. Cor
don's box was an object OF especial interest.
Indeed, that was the only one to be depend
ed upon to contain something when the Two
mails per day arrived Gordon, moreover,
took the only New York paper which
reached the little hamlet. Alton had no
paper Of it's own. The nearest was printed
in Stanbridge. One man, the Presbyterian
minister, subscribed to the Stanbridge paper,
and paid for it In farm produce. He had
little farm and titled the soil when he was
not saving souls. The Stanbridge paper had
arrived the night before. and the minister
had been good enough to impart some of
its contents to the curious thronS an the
store. He was accustomed to do SO. Like
wise Gordon, when he was not too hurried.
the most startling headers" to wide-eyed
| audience. This morning the paper was in
the box as usual, with a number OF letters.
The men pressed in a suggestive way
around James as he took the parcel from the
postmaster. There were no lock-boxes.
| James hesitated a moment. He had not
much time, but he was good-natured, and
the eager hunger in the mems eyes appealed
| to- him. There was something pathetic
about this outreaching for intelligence of
their kind and its progress or otherwise
among these plodding folk, who had so to
count their pence that a newspaper was an
unheard-of luxury to them.
James opened the paper and glanced over
the headlines on the first page. Now, had
sinister and malicious in the curious eyes,
but he was so dazed by the very first thing
he saw to be for the moment oblfvtous to
anything else. On the right of the first page
was the headline: Strange dual life OF
prominent physician in Alton, New Jersey
Doctor Thomas B. Gordon has lived with
his wife for years, and called her his wild
| owed sister. Mrs. Clara Ewing. Upon her
death, few days since, he revealed the Sc
cret. Will give no reason for this strange
conduct, simply states that he was justified
even compelled, by circumstances. Then
followed a caricature portrait of Gordon,
photograph of the house. one Of the village
church and the cemetery and Gordon's
wifes grave, with various surmises and
comments enough to fill the column. James
paled as he read. He had not known OF
Gordons action in telling that the dead wo-
man was his wife. He looked around in a
bewildered fashion, and met the hungry
eyes. One small mean face OF small man
peered around his shoulder gloatingly.
Some news this mornin'?'' he observed,
with smack of the lips. as If he tasted
sweets.
faced them all and smiled coolly. Yes" he
replied you mean about DR.. Gordon?'
There was a murmur of assent
James read the article from beginning to
end. IT suppose it is news to you," he
said, when he had finished. He looked at
them all with superior air. He looked
older and more manly than when ne mad
first come in their midst. He was older
men recognized it, not sullenly nor defiant
ly but with the unquestiontng attitude OF
the New Jerseyman when he Is really be
low the scale in birth and education. Still
their faces all expressed malicious cunning
and cruel curiosity, which they hesitated
to put into words. They knew that Elliot
was to marry Gordon's niece; they were
overawed by both men, but they were
afraid of Gordon.
Still Jim Goodman found courage Of his
meanness and smallness and spoke 1T
seems strange thing he said, that DR..
Gordon should hev came and went here
for years, and all of us thinkin' his wife
were his sister when she were not.
well, what of it?'' asked James.
The men stared at one another.
what of it?' repeated James II don't
suppose there is anything criminal in a
mans calling his wife by his sister name.
DR.. Gordon has sister named Ewing"
Again the men stared at one another, and
Jim Goodman was the only one who had
the miserable courage to speak. "S'pose
him an her were married." he said, in
thin voice like the squeal of a fox.
Which of you wants to be knocked down
can make a statement to the contrary,
Numbered James. rs that what you make
of it?
Goodman shuff1ed from one foot to the
other. Men nudged shoulders, Goodman
spoke. Nobody never knows what is true
or amt true in them newspapers" he OBJ
served, and there was note of alarm in his
voice.
II did not read thing in the whole col
umn which even implied such thing as
you intimated," James said hotly. Don't
put it off on the newspapers
Then another man spoke, farmer, tall,
dry. lank and impervious. He was man
about whom were ill-reports. His wife had
died some years before. and he had house
keeper, ford, blonde creature, dressed
with dingy showiness of whom people
spoke with covert laughs. 'All we want
to know is why DR.. Gordon has never said
that her was his wife, and not his sister,
he said in a defiant nasal voice.
The malignant Jim Goodman saw his
chance. He jumped upon it like spider.
That's So" he said. why didn't he say
she was his housekeeper? There was
shout of coarse laughter. The farmer gave
a hateful look at Goodman and pulled at
q rank pipe.
James was furious, but he saw the neces-
sity of statement of some kind, and his
wits 1eaped to action. WELL" he said,
suppose there was a question of money"
The crowd pressed closer and gaped.
Money! said Goodman.
Eyes, money" pursued James recklessly.
did you never hear of people being OPP
posed to marriages, rich people mean, and
threatening to dsinherit a woman II she
for herr"
WAS that it?' asked Goodman.
IT am not saying that it was was not.
I am not going to discuss DR.. Gordon's
secrets with you. It's none of your business,
and none of my business. All l am saying
is this, suppose there had been girl years
ago with very rich bachelor brother.
Z