The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1908-09-09
and me In q ratfge

AuO u1S ~ ~
comfort.
In social life I had been considered
what the Americans call "a firt." but
was never dishonorable. would
never attack q man unless he was In
clined that way himself. Now was
expected to win one simply for pay.
The temptation was too great for
me. yielded. boarded the ship ut
Marseilles Roger Sutherland. whom
was to snare, was modest look
ing, quiet man. l soon made his ac-
duaintance. and he seemed to take to
me at once. He said that If 1t were
not for my accent he would not be-
lieve me to be English: that had all
the sprightliIess Of an American girl.
The game 1 was playing was natural
to me. / didn't have to try to win
him. If / had possibly l might have
failed.
But, as to stealing the information. !
didn't know where to begin. We had
passed through the canal before l ven
tured to make move in that direc-
ton. l began by asking his occupa-
ton. He prevaricated. | leased him.
He told me that he had government
position, and that was all that | could
get out OF him for a long while. Then
suddenly he told me everything.
wondered why he who had so long
been reticent should have changed so
quickly. He answered my every ques-
f,111v hn fv
in his trunk in his stateroom. Did he
not fear it would be stolen? No
There was q lock on the trunk that
had been made for it. The key was
of peculiar kind. The next time we
were on deck together. feigning to be
moved by natural feminine curiosity,
leased him to let me see the key.
He took it out of his pocket and
handed it to me. Feigning an inten-
ton to brighten him l ran to the side
Of the ship and held it In my fist over
the water. He didn't even follow me.
So took it back and gave it to him.
had provided myself with a bit of
wax and had squeezed an impression
of the key.
Pretending that l had lost the key
of my own trunk, / called for one OF
the ships mechanics to make me an
other from the wax impression. My
victim invariably spent an hour or
more after dinner in the smoking
room. l took a great risk. l entered
his stateroom and with the key made
from the impression opened the trunk.
found the treaty, took it to my state
room, copied tit was in. cipher-and
got it back to the trunk in plenty Of
time to avoid getting caught.
With success came the pricking Of
conscience. I told my victim of my
circumstances, the loss of my father.
my effort to obtain employment and
ended by falsely telling him that l
was going out to India to be gov
erness. From that moment his manner
changed toward me. had consid-
cred before that my success was due
to having won his heart. Now l was
sure of it. Then he asked me to be
his wife.
Now, for the first time. realized
that If had won him had been won
In winning him. Whatever was good in
my nature rebelled at my trickery.
longed to confess it and throw myself
upon his mercy. But l dared not
From loving me he would despise me-
I told him that could never be his
wife; that there was barrier between
us; that l was unworthy Of him. He
soothingly treasured me- said my con-
science was abnormally sensitive; that
he was sure one so lovely could not do
anything very wrong.
The night before we reached Bombay
we were on deck together under the
starry heavens.
Sweetheart" he said, 1--WE part to-
morrow. 1t rests with you whether
our parting shall be forever or shall
call on you on my return. You are not
cut out for diplomat. but you will
make a good wife for one"
"a diplomat! a diplomat!"
He took my hand. Il suspected you
the moment you began to play your
game, and I played mine to trap you.
I gave you my key on purpose and
knew how you used 1t by traces OF
wax adhering to it. Certain pages OF
the manuscript you stole were loosely
tackled together, and l found them de-
tached I was disappointed to learn
all this. but when afterward you told
me how you had been tempted pitied
you. You are lady and out Of your
element. would be sorry for you
losing your pay II wished You to
earn pay In that way"
"And my copy of the cipher dis
patch" faltered. Il will give it to
you at once"
Don't hurry. 1t is no cipher, but a
tumble intended to deceive you"
"And do you mean that you can love
one who has made this abject at
tempt?"
"If we only loved those who were
perfect there would be no marriage.
You have simply been parted for a
brief time by circumstances from your
natural self"
GWENDOLIN ADAMS.