Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-05-06

"0A~S SSV
Ward uttered an exclamation none
the less violent because it was half
suppressed.
1--WE should be glad Of an explana-
tion," he said, resting his arms on my
table and leaning across 1t toward
Keredec.
ut is SIMPLE" began the professor.
II learned my poor boys history well
from those who could tell me, from his
papers-yes, and from the bundles Of
old time letters which were given me.
From all these l learned what a beau
tiful soul was that lady who loved him
20 much that she a away from her
home for his sake. Helas! He was al
ready the slave Of what was bad and
foolish; he had gone too far from him
self, was overlaid with the habit of
evil. and she could not save him then.
The spirit was dying in him. although
It was there. and it was good"=
Wards acrid laughter rang out In
the room.
'eThe inconceivable selfshness, the
devilish brutality of it," Wards face
was scarlet. "You didn't care how you
sacrificed her.
Sacrificed" The professor sudden
" released the huge vciume of his
voice. "~Sacrifeedw he thundered. IF
l could give him back to her as he is
now it would be restoring to her all
t.slt she had loved in lin, the real self
of him! It would be the greatest gift
in her life"
"Then. my dear Keredec," I answer
ed, ''either you are really insane or I
am! You knew that this poor, unfor-
tunate devil of a Hartman was tied to
that hyenic prowler yonder who means
to fatten or him and will never re-
lease him; you knew that. Then why
did you bring him down here to fall
In love with q woman he can never
have?
my dear fellow" interposed George
quickly, "you underrate Professor Ker-
edec's shrewdness. he knows that
my cousin Louise never obtained a di-
vorce from her husband"
"What?" I said, amazed.
II say Mrs. Harman never obtained
a divorce"
Il saw notices Of It at the time" I
gasped. y
mo. What you saw vas that she
had made an application for divorce.
Her family got her that far and then
she revolted. The suit was dropped"
ut is true. indeed" said Keredec.
1.-The poor boy was on the other side
of the world. and be thought it was
granted"
l turned upon him sharply. "You
knew it,"
"It is a year that I have known It"
DO you not understand" George in
terposed. that what Professor Ker-
edec risked for his poor boy in re-
turning to France was a trial on the
charge of bigamyy'
The professor recoiled from the def
mite brutality.
II conceive it very likely to happen"
said George. unless you get him out
Of the country before the lady now in
stalled here as his wife, discovers the
truth"
"But she must mott" Keredec lifted
both hands toward Ward appealingly.
They trembled. "She cannot! There
Is nothing that could make her suspect
IT."
Zone particular thing would be my
telling her." said Ward quietly.
ttNever!" cried the professor. you
would not do that!"
IT will, unless you get him out Of
tho country, and quickly"
"George" I exclaimed, coming for
ward between them. "This won't do
at all! You can't
'That's enough" he said, waving
me- back. and I saw that his hand was
shaking, too, like Keredecs. His face
had grown very white. II know what
you think" he went on, addressing
me. "but you're wrong. 1t isn't for
myself. When / sailed for New York
thought there Yrs Z chance that she
would carry outsths action she began
four yearstaxo and I'D herself Of him
denniteiy-that Is. I thought until to-
day there was some, hope for me. IL
she's seen him again and he's been
anything except literally unbearabie
it's, all over with me. From the first
I had a chance against him.
He was q hard rival ven when he'd
become only a cruel memory" His
voice rose Heaven knows why it is.
It isn't because Of anything he's done
or has-its just because it's him, I
s~uppose-but l know my chance is
gone for good. That leaves me free
to act for her. No one can accuse me
Of doing it for myself. And l swear
she shan't 60 through that slough Of
despoBd again while. I have breath in
my bsdy"
George. for PHYS sakew I shouted.
throwing my arm about his shoulders,
fur nis voice had risen to a pitch Of
excitement and fury that l feared
must bring the whole place upon rs.
Some one was already knocking for
admission.
I crossed the room and opened the
door. Miss Elizabeth stood there, red
faced and clustered, and behind her
stood Mr.. Cresgon Ingle, who looked
obviously amused.
Miss Efiz1beth cut short q rather
emharrassed handshake vhich her be-
trothed and I excAapss4