The sun., 1907-11-10

shoulders a. II accepting yst dincardlng
his burden, whatever it was. I remember
it struck me nc the time fOrCibly.
Nov, who could IL have been With whom
this man In Mr. Shale's rOom-Mr. James
Shale. isn't its-shares q trait by its very
nature unsharable? Not Mr. Menting, Of
course. Perhaps IL was that Ralph Ship
ton OF whom you spoke, tho friend who
-Comel" cried Mrs. Dupin. her face
alight with the phosphoresSnce OF q tenn
pest torn night. @come, before 60 madl
There was delay after they raped al
Mr.. Shale's door, during which an alert
ear could catch sounds OF careful prepara-
ton from within Then tho door ODeDed
and showed a bearded man, Standing
erect, alert. like a sentinel.
There was q strained adjustment in
poise, Get Of clothing and cast Of cOunten-
anco. but IL seemed 60 Mr.. Plume that
in the Hrst fash OF recognition the whole
careRuliy reared structure disappeared
and then reappeared a. II a photographs
slide were Withdrawn end replaced.
Josephine, my darling" cried tho mar,
rapturously, you have come 70 me-.
And he held Mrs. Dupin in close embrace.
She was very silent, very irresponSlvs,
though her hand wandered lightly over
his face like a child's seeking assurance.
Then she drew herself away, stepping i'm
side and closing the door.
There was strange determinatcn IN
pectAncy on her oolorleas face, and u was
then that the man who had greeted her
adjusted himself into that stiff, almost
artificial posture OF defence.
James James Shale." began Mrs. DupiD
in even tones, i come on business with
this stranger. He is Mr.. unle, contidentla'
agent Of my attorneys. The case is SETTLED.
He 10 ready TO pay over my share OF tire
verdict in your presence and with your
consent
40 avoid possible complications with
YOUR future husband, hey9- returned Mr.
Shale lightly You might have told them.
dearest, there was no need for worry. 80
long as nave you the devil may have the
rest for all l care
Az he aazed fondly. fairly feasting his
eyes, ID seemed 70 Mr. Plume there was an
unconscious relaxation, natural ease.
"Poof," he added airily, 1fOr their filthy
lucre- The world is well lost with you.
And he shrugged his shoulders with superb
Mrs. Dupin uttered a sound. 40 low as
10 pass unnotioed had IL not poseeased
tho intensity Of a scream. She pressed
her handkerchief to her lips and It was
redstained when she took il away.
THE check. she muttered thickly, the
check Quickl"
She held the certified check 20 the light
which Mr.. Plume handed to her. She
pointed out the magic words and figures
in the Judges bold hand
See. James. James Shale," she cried
there dwells happineSs!
Shale's eyes glittered for all his airiness,
and ne knew IL.
Il IreiOice. beloved he replied. but only
for your dear sake"
Then rejoice no more!" she rstorted
fercely, tearing the check into shreds and
tossing them into his face. -Scoundrel,
| impcsfer. murderer. know you! You are
| Ralph SbipCOn! You learned my Adolph'a
| plans ~ secure the wealth we needed. You
CONT yed his death; you tried 20 put your
| self In his placei Oh damnable villainl'
And she sunk into her chair. again pres5-
! ing the reddening handkerchief TO her lips.
| N am Abe Cronkite.' said Mr.. Plume,
laying a heavy hand on Shipton g shoulder.
Shipton shrugged and laughed disdain-
| fully.
@LoOkl" he mooked. pointing 70 the prone.
inert woman. What proof will you have
\ to your fairy tales?"
@I'll live 70 see you die. monster painted
| Josephine Dupin. springing 20 her feet.
And Shipton's blood ran cold as Cronklte
| led him away from the sense Of the deadly
menace staggering silently behind.