The Washington times., 1909-03-19


point in my whole story, for might |
not seriously have turned my attention
to looking for the other woman
II fail to see what my being IN the
park has to do with some woman" said
Wharton.
What were you doing up town at
that early hour in the afternoon. when
you should have been in the business
section?'' inquired Nelson.
Cant a man go out on busines7?'
growled Wharton.
Certainly, but his business wouldn't
require his presence in the park at such
a lonely spot" replied Nelson, in a tan
talizing tone.
1T was only crossing the park in order
to get to the other side on my way back
to the office. I was sent up there on
important business"
Wharton seemed to feel sure that he
was making a plausible excuse
Its no use, Wharton. If you knew
what I know you would spare yourself
the trouble OF inventing lies
There's nothing TO know" insisted
Wharton.
Isn't there? How long has your
Nelson hesitated for fitting term, then
added. your friendship with Belle
stanton been gong onE
The woman's name fell like a thun-
derclap on Wharton.
"Oh. you know her, do your he
asked, family. "She told you all about
| it, did she?"
Nothing of the Sort replied Nelson.
''As a matter of fact, 1 haven't the
| pleasure of the lady's acquaintance. But
your being so far up town at such an
hour puts me wise 20 the idea Of there
being another woman. Nothing else
could have taken you so far out Of your
way"
But you have no real reason to think
so" said wharton 81 do know Belle
! Stanton, but that doesn't mean that I
knew her well. You have no proof that
1 do
| Wharton's courage was rising once
more, but it was dashed to the ground
the next moment.
"Oh, yes, I have proof" retorted Mel
son, with an irritating smile, II have
the strongest kind of proof and pfeEky
of it,
| Wharton, feeling that Nelson had still
more information UP his sleeve. tried
to brace himself for the next shock.
"You have been watched" went on
/ his Nemesis III d NOlCc i'd hlS dDONE oil
ordinary tone, but which 70 Wharton
seemed as loud as thunder
For Goes sake. man. don't talk so
loud" begged Wharton. She might
hear you"
"she2" repeated Nelson in Quizzical
tone
Yes; my wifei" answered Wharton.
glancing nervously toward the door.
well, you wouldn't worry about that,
would you2'' continued the Gibson man.
Any fellow who would do what you
have done must surely expect to be
found out some day. Better now than
later Besides, you didn't think Of her
when you called on Miss Stanton, did
you? You haven't bothered about her
at any stage of the game"
Wharton was silent for an instant
Then:
"See here" he burst out, 'Tf you
; think that your little game of blackmai
will work with me. you're going to get
sadly left. You have thrown out a lo1
of insinuation about my being watched
and all that, but you haven't proved
anything beyond the fact that I know
Belle Stanton"
Give me time, my dear Wharton
give me LlIu6s TtJOittO NtiSOts Dc
sides 1 haven't brought my proof Will
> me-"
"Ahr' exclaimed the other IN tri
umph- "You haven't got it with you
Ell? I thought so. When do you pro
pose to produce it?''
= He paused dramatically.
81 can have ii here at any moment,
I replied Nelson. ''but I fancy you won
: ] I,a@
: at this moment downstairs in my auto
| mobile"
Wharton went to the window an
gRnced out. There. in front Of tn
| house. stood the same big car which
l he had seen in the park that day.
He came back md faced Nelson.
; wen. what is your proof?' he aske,
with bated breath, for he realized tina
: Nelson had made good 50 far in every
thing he had said, and he was begin
ming 20 understand that the Gibson ma
was a person not to be trifed with.
= "Shan 1 invite him IMP
. "Him?" repeated Wharton.
: Yes. To be more explicit perhaps
y should describe him as my proof
r. meeting Mr.. Gibson. Of the firm Of Gil
Wharton sank back in his chat
W speeches. while Nelson went on.
so you see I am quite sure Of VIVA
p / say. When a detective of the shrewd
lie ness of Henry ellison personally give
~ his attention 10 a case you can we
~ understand there Is small chance {
re anybody making a big mistake"
'n oh" grOaned Wharton, realizing thu
he game was -
/" yes" said Nelson. Mr.. ellison yer
u kindly took matters into his own hand
He is waiting for me outside, at pre-,
"a ent. Shall ! invite him in, or woul
you prefer to finish your conversatio
with me alone2"
T. Wharton gasped cut weakly:
A Il think you and I can come
h terms"
I imagined you would see It thu
IA way remarked Nelson, smile ,
satisfaction on his lips.
-, Now 10 continue" he said, after
-, moments silence, during which VIVA
II ton en,teaYored 70 regain some Of h
rs equilibrium. THE woman in the ca
is merely an introduction to what
)lx mean 70 say. Naturally, you can fl,
a ure il oJt for yourself that If Mr.. CT
son knows all about that, he al