Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-31
IL
THE SCApEGOAT.

1T is false he said, with slow anger
She stifrened. and looked coldly into
| his eyes.
1T is lie" he insisted. more quietly,
but more emphatically, folding his arms
across his chest Stella. are YOU going
to accept comparative strangers word
against mine? It's monstrous perfectly
abominable."
Il saw you drop thc Euaye 81 trunps
into your lap when Mr.. Manton led the
seven" she said in a whisper. deliber
atelv. And the knave of trIImps was
in Bob's hand =
And the knave OF trumps was in your
| brothers handy" he asrid, ri tel ~ mo-
ment's pause.
""Oh,' she cried springing up. 'you
mean your tone to imply that Bob might
| have been cheating as he was your part
ner How mean-how contemptibly
| meant You would like to make him
carry the load of your shame for YOU!
a boy of ia Carlton! There never
was a Carlton who would cheat at
cardsr'
Nor a Riversey" he answered, coldlv.
Il am sorry that | should have been
atlianccd to the Riversley who broke the
| line of honest gentlemen of that name"
she rctorted hotiy.
That is unworthy of you" he said,
gravely. II think l had better 60"
Yes she said, between her teeth,
tearing at her finger rings, You had bet
| ter 90" She held one out to him and a
look of faintness stole over her proud
| face
He took step toward her. and she
reached toward him and dropped the ring
| into his hand.
Thank YOU" he murmued. Z" He
checked himself. turned, and left her.
II knew you were cheating and that
Wallace and Manton realized something
was wrong; and ! was sure you'd play
the knave on the trick. and my knave
would expose your dealing. You must
tell her. Carlton! It's impossible ! should
90 about branded as a card cheat"
Il can't tell herr" cried the boy, stamp
ing his foot. impatiently. you don't
know what it would mean. Stella is as
proud as Lucifer. and-I don't know what
she'd do. She'd tell dad for one thing,
that's certain; and-oh Riversey, old
chap. YOU don't know what it would
mean or you'd never ask me to do it,
Well I've told YOU how | stand'' said
Riversey, rising and walking over to the
mantelpiece she believes | was cheat
ing. and she's chucked me; Just as any
Girl would believing it. don't blame
her for that; what blame her for is be-
lieving me capable of such thing"
Il can't do it! Good heavens! YOU
must be mad to think could 90 to her,
and-its impossible! I'm sorrier than |
can possibly say, Riversley | would have
done anything in the world rather than
it should have fallen ON you"
NO more words about it; you've got
to put it right. Within twenty four
hoNs / shall expect to hear from Stella
that she knows l am still gentleman"
On the balcony of q little hotel over
looking the Bay of Naples sat RNersley
in an armchair. The chair was comfort
able to luxurious degree; yet he moved
constantly as if he were uncomfortable.
He was thinking over Il paragraph he had
read half an hour before in The Morning
Post. which he regularly received each
day:
a marriage has been arranged be-
tween Miss Mary Vincent Stella Carlton,
only daughter of Gregory Carlton. Esq,
of Hadlev Park, Berks, and 341 Hill
street. w. TO Sir William Brundon Rous-
ton of 3ou-ton, Herts."
The announcement had come to him as
Il surprise. for there had been no hint of
such a thing in any of the letters he had
had from Robert Carlton during the past
ten months. Otherwise, OF course, it was
not surprising. Rouston was an excellent
fellow. Il handsome man. and an honest
gentleman. Not otherwise it was not
surprising.
Riversley moved uneasily in his chair
and the paper slipped from his knees.
Ne let it lie. Then he automatically
picked up the Paris paper which had ar
rived with his Morning Post and tore it
open Suddenly he started Bobby Carl
| ton was dead. Ste'le and her father were
in Paris. The boy had been hurled out
of the motor car he was driving, diving a
few hours later in the Paris hospital
| Had he spoken?
Riverslcy rose weakly from his chair
and hurried from the balcony. Forty
| hours later he was in Paris Immediate
| ~ IN his ARRIVAL Ne called at the hotel at
Which the newspaper said the Cartons
were staying.
Mr.. Carlton was not within After
hesitating. Riversley wrote a few words
ON a card and sent it up TO Stella. She
came to him in the waiting room and he
knew. with Il sinking heart, that the hoy
| had not spoken.
Il have read of the accident to Your
brother Miss Carlton. / was in Naples =
| he said. may ask if your brother
left amy message err for mef"
No: moi that | am nmnrn OF |" She nm