Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1906-08-31
Damon and Pythias
[Original.1

though know you consider that have
robbed you during your absence of your
bosom friend; consequently you are
anything but happy to meet me-"
Really
Don't tell any polite falsehoods. 1t
will do no good 1 know of the devo-
ton between you and Earle-that you
expected on your return to find that
he still belonged to you, that instead
you find in me a wedge between you
and him-that you are prepared to hate
me."'
81 assure you you wrong me. On the
contrary
Here is the proof. In this letter,
written to Earle as soon as you heard
of his marriage, you say
"Please don't read it. was fool to
write such stuff. OF course Earle had
a perfect right to marry, and had 1
been in his place should have
"Never mind these bits of conven-
tional fattery; they will do no good.
l am going to try and capture my en-
envy. Earle has just left for the Pa
cific coast, to be gone dear knows how
long. Meanwhile 1 am going to try to
take his place with his best friend. l
shall play Damon, with view to max
ing you my Pythias. Earle went away
crushed at your cruel letter. 1 prom
Used that when he returned he should
find we three a trio, though one of US
is woman"
Earle Warren was absent ten weeks,
and the day before his return there was
had left behind.
"You are my evil genius"
'Your evil genius?" she asked in a
tone far from indicating that she was
offended.
Eyes, 1 came home expecting to find
possession. Then under pretext of
making a trio of friends you have
made me the lover of my friends
wife"
The lady smiled.
"You have made a wreck of me,
and now you laugh at me-"
Men have died, but not for love-"
Honorable men have done dishon-
orable things for love-"
81 would delight to make you turn
against your friend for me. 1 should
know myself to be loved as wish to
be loved"
you are a devil"
'You say 1 have made you one. We
are we'll mated"
'It only remains to consummate a
double villainy. Will you fly with me
before Earle returns?"
She turned away with bent head.
He wondered at this first display of
conscience she had made since they
met.
"Now you have your victim within
your tolls" he said, you hesitate to
crush him."
"Come tomorrow night at 10. Earle
returns little later. If have made
you bad I will be as bad as you"
At the appointed hour the next night
Stanton King drove in a carriage to
the house of Earle Warren. 1t was
Damon going to rob Pythias of his
wife. He knew that a woman who
would play such part must be very
devil, but it seemed the greater the
devil the greater her power over him.
He drove up to her door just as a
to- orr Of
Jumping from his carriage, he ran up
to the door. 1t was opened by the
lady herself.
"Come in," she said. 1--WE have plen-
ty of time"
"But expected you would be dress
ed for the journey"
"The journey to the realms of Sa
tan?"
eff there were worse place would
follow you there"
A sound of wheels without and a
carriage drove up behind the one that
came up the steps. The lady who
was to run away with her husbands
friend threw herself on a sofa and
buried her face in the cushions. A man
entered and stood for a moment look
ing at the couple. He was Earle War
rem. Following him was young and
beautiful woman.
stanton" he said gayly.
Stanton King reeled and was about
to fall when his friend caught him in
his arms.
stanton, old man, it's all right
We've put up a job on you. That's
not my wife; it's my wife's cousin,
Emma Steele. The women did it.
told them it would be q shame, but
they wanted to make a quartet of US
all. This is my wife. Ellen, this is
my best friend, Stanton King. You
don't have to elope, old man. You
shall be married from this house"
King turned and looked at the wom-
an on the sofa. She arose and cast
quick glance at him-a glance to know
II she would be punished for what she
had done. King started to leave the
house. At the door he turned for a
last glance and saw the woman who
had deceived him ready to sink back
pale and trembling on the sofa. Rush
ing to her, he caught her in his arms.
There was clapping of hands on the
part of Mr.. and the real Mrs. Warren,
and a shower of congratulations, min
gled with taunts on the part of the
latter. Miss Steele, disengaging her
self from King, held up her hands
deprecatingly and said:
81 know that 1 alone could have