The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1909-03-18
Ross-H HuntressC Company
Cor.West and Grove SITS.
Rutland. Vermont.

his coat pockets.
"Now you may co. she said cooliy.
He went, not. however, 10 his room,
but straight TO the house OF the fash
ionable physician who ministered to
wealth with an umctlon and success
that had permitted him In summer timc
to occupy his own villa at Newport and
dispense further mlnlstratlons when re-
quested
On the night Of the conjugal con-
ference between Nina Gerard and her
husband and almost at the same hour
Jack Ruthven, hard hit In the card
room Of the Stuyvesant club, sat hud-
died over the table, figuring up what
sort of checks he was to draw to the
credit of George Fame and Sanxon
Orchil.
And now as he sat there, pencil In
hand. adding up the score cards be re-
membcred that he was to interview his
attorney that evening at bis own house,
q bate appointment. but necessary to
insure the presence OF one or two ply
slcians at a consultation to definitely
decide what course OF action might be
taken to rid himself of the wife who
had proved useless and almost ruinous
to him,
He had not laid eyes on his wife that
summer, but for the first time he had
really had her watched during her abb
sence. What she lived on, how she
managed, he had not the least idea and
less concern. All he knew was that he
had contributed nothing, and he was
quite certain that her balance at her
own bank had been nonexistcnt for
months. In the autumn he had heard
of her conduct at Hitherwood House,
and week later, to his astonishment
he learned OF her serious illness and
that she had been taken to Clifton. 1t
was the only satisfactory news he had
had of ber In months.
When he had finished his figuring he
flshed out q check book, detached a
tiny gold fountain pen from the bunch
of seals and knickknacks on his watch
chain and. filing In the checks, passed
them over without comment.
As they filed out Of the card, room
into the dim passagcway, orchIl lead
ing. tall, shadowy figure In evening
dress stepped back from the door Of
the card room against the wall To give
them right Of way. and Orchil, peer
Ing at him without recognition IN the
dull light. bowed suavely as he, passed,
as did Fame, craning his curved neck,
and Harmon also, who followed IN his
wake.
But when Ruthyen came abreast Of
the figure In the passage and bowed
his way past a low voice from the
courteous unknown, pronouncing his
name, halted him short.
Il want a word with you. Mr. Ruth
ven," added SelwyH; that card room
win suit me. l you please"
But Ruthyen. recovering from the
shock Of selwyn's voice, started TO
pass him without word
~ said that | wanted 10 speak 10
YOU" repeated Selwyn.
Ruthyen. delgning no reply. attempt
I'd TO shove by him. and Selwyn, plae-
Ing one hand fiat against the others
shoulder, pushed him violently back
into the card room he had just left
and. stepping In behind him, closed
md locked the door
"W-what the devil do you meaDy'
yaspcd Ruthven. his bard. Ininuteiy
'hayen face turning deep. ped,
What ] say" replied. seiwynr--"that
want word or two with you"
He stood still tor a moment ~ the
,enter Of the little room. tall. gaunt Of
'eai,ire ard very pan
"Ruthven." he said. n few years
lgo you persuaded my wife 10 leaveI