The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-03-21

stead of going to bed or In any way
endeavoring to compose his nerves to
meet what promised to be a tragedy,
he called cab and drove to house in
one Of the prominent avenues.
Tell your mistress" he said to the
servant, that Winslow Manchester de-
sires to speak to her on matter of life
and DEATH
A few minutes later a woman came
into the room and stood facing Man
chester. She was simply and tastefully
dressed, without jewelry. She had once
possessed physical beauty to a rare de-
gree, but it was beginning to fade,
though she had not endeavored to hide
the coming change by the use Of cos
metics. From her appearance no one
would have judged her to be what she
was, an INSCRIPTIONS adventures.
Il supposed" said Manchester, when
1 last parted from you that it would
not be necessary for me to meet you
again. 1 paid high price for having
fallen into your tolls, but l was content
so long as you kept your contract and
refrained from annoying me. Now you
have bewitched my most intimate
friend, and tomorrow morning he is
going to shoot me fol telling him what
you are"
"And how does this concern me?" she
asked.
IF you have q germ of womanhood
about you 60 to him, tell him that am
right and prevent the meeting"
She turned and walked to the other
end Of the room. with her face averted.
He knew that she was celebrating and
hoped that she would show mercy. Her
mind was soon made up.
"You paid we'll for your own release"
she said. 'but you must pay more for
the release of Your friend"
name the sum-"
ut is not q sum, but person. There
is one way only by which you can pre-
vent a marriage between Writ Dixey
and myself. Marry me before your
meeting with him takes place. and he
will have no reason to protect me from
your aspersions."
you? l marry you! You marry me!
He'll and heaven are not more deadly
enemies"
II have at my disposal two means Of
satisfying my enmity. I leave you to
choose between them. If you fight Dix
ey one or both Of you may die. If you
marry me will play with you during
the rest Of your life as a cat will worry
a mouse"
III were sure to fall would prefer
the former, and yet in that event you
would carry out your purpose with
Dixey."
Manchester knew the woman and
understood the alternative. He spent
the time that remained before the meet
ing deliberating and at the last mo-
ment chose the marriage. When the
clock struck he was the husband of
this creature, whose object was not
now money, but revenge. AS soon as
the ceremony was over they stepped in
to a carriage and drove to the place
appointed for the duel. Dixey was
pacing back and forth excitedly. He
saw Manchester alight and hand out
the woman he was to marry.
Hear from her own lips" he said,
what you would not believe from
NINE"
"Wirt Dixey,' said the woman, II
first made fool Of Winston Manches-
ter and bled him for $4,000. But he
was not so great a fool as you and
would not marry me. At last, how
ever, through you. have forced him
to be my husband"
She paused for a moment and was
about to proceed when she was inter-
rupted by Dixey's second.
"Gentlemen." he said to those pres
ent, you have heard this woman aver
that she forced Winslow Manchester
to marry her."
"And suppose they haveT' asked the
woman angrily.
II am a lawyer, and with that state
ment, considering your character. l
will engage to secure an annulment of
the marriage"
Meanwhile Dixey had been taking in
the situation and, grasping Manches-
ter's hand, said bitterly:
"Winslow, can you forgive me? l
can never forgive myself. As for you
turning to the woman.
Spare yourself any disagreeable
words. I am comfortably settled in
life, and anything you would say to
me would not interest me-"
There being no further explanations
in ORDER" said Manchester to his wife,
II will hand you to your carriage. As
for me, will spend my honeymoon
with my friend"
Manchester after making application
to the courts for the annulment Of the
marriage went abroad. His wife died
a few weeks after the granting Of ths
decree. AMBROSE SPENCER.