Democratic messenger., 1910-02-26

Finally be made up his mind that II
man resembling Mr. Howard Beld-
ing were paying marked attention TO
Miss Gwynne Il would be known and
he (Shotweli would certainly hear Of
It, There was but one infcrence-the
man had either gone or without even
an attempt TO make Miss Gwynne's
acquaintance or he had betrayed his
employer with view to making capt.
tai with the young lady. Either Of
these propositions was sufficient to
throw Shotwell into fever. He fret
ted and worried and prIed till at last
he could stand the strain no longer
and concluded to get away from II by
making n trip abroad.
He came to this conclusion not only
because he wished to get the matter
of his mind. but because. having
somewhat cooled. he felt that he had
risked the respect OF all good men
and women who knew him. II the
matter should he known he would
rather be where he could not be called
upon TO face II. Perhaps by the time
he returned. II any trouble came OF II.
Il would have blown over. These con-
sideratlons. however. did not seem to
him Of great Importance. for he had
little doubt that the fellow he had
hired TO pcrsonate Belding had simply
pocketed the perquisites and left the
job TO take care Of itself.
Three months after Shotwell had
folI III, ,,io,. for ra~nuua nnnn Misc
Gwynne he went to Europe. There
after time the matter he had come
away to get rid OF ceased TO occupy
the greater part Of his attention. and
eventually he thanked heaven that the
man he had employed TO revenge him
had gone on without doing so. He
was feeling much relieved when In
Venice he met an acquaintance from
America. who said to him. among
other things:
Il hear your old flame, Virginia
Gwynne. IS TO marry the rich young
phllanihropist Howard Bedding"
Shotwel was astonished. terror
stricken. that so long after he had
repented Of his meanness the damage
had yet been done. He questioned his
informer as to when the wedding was
expected To come Off. but received no
satisfaction.
One desire now took possession OF
Shotwel-to reach America before Vir-
glnia Gwynne should full irreyoca-
bly, into the trap he himself had laid
for her. Making for Genoa. he found
steamer about to sail for New York.
For two weeks he paced the deck.
looking out On the same watery waste
trying TO stifie his impatience. They
were the longest two weeks he had
ever known. But at last the voyage
was ended. and he FASTENED ashore.
his first object being TO learn II Miss
Gwynne had married.
The wedding had not yet taken
place.
Shotwell wrote his former love
note telling her that he had something
OF great Importance TO her welfare 70
communicate to her and asking for an
interview He received brief reply
appointing the next afternoon at D
o'clock at her house. The clock was
striking the hour when he mounted
the steps leading up TO her home and
rang the bell He was all Of tremor
when he entered the drawing room.
where he had had many happy tete-a-
tetes with Miss Gwynne and where
he had parted with her In anger.
Presently she came In and stood with
hn M a
chair. He rose and stammered:
THANK heaven I am not too late"
"For what:"
"To save you from marrying man
whom you suppose to be a gentleman.
but who Is really
Heavens
II am here to make a confession. On
the day left you felt much aggriev.
ed. did that which. | admit. was un-
worthy OF me. Seeing man In rags
who was the perfect image Of Howard
Belding. persuaded him TO personate
that person TO win your heart. But
never intended that the matter should
go so far And, not hearing from my
man. In my cooler moments con-
graduated myself that he had disap-
peared without taking any action"
Miss Gwynne stood for moment as
II trying to recover from the blow:
then with one word, "Waitr' she left
the room. In a moment Shotwell
heard the ring of n telephone bell. He
remained where he was for some min
utes. when the front door opened and
Miss Gwynnc entered with her fiance.
We've met again" said the man who
had come III Shotwell. What have
you TO say against mef"
Shotwell was astonished ut the mans
assurance.
"You know what you are and OF the
bargain | made with you" said Shot
we'll
II know Of the bargain most assur-
edly. As to myself. AIN Howard
Beiding. When you met me that day
| was endeavoring incog. to find out
the needs OF the poor was succor'
Ing. could best do this In the cos
tune OF that region-rags. have to
thank you for being the means OF my