The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-10-04
FAIR EXCHANGE
BY MARTHA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

BY MARTHA McCULLOUGH-W WILLIAMS.
Copyright 1910. by Associated Literary Press)
With woman In the caseseek the man." Ell
bridge paraphrased, nodding vigorously he spoke
Miss Minton stared 'imposisble!" she said Clara
Estes has not seen man. except through double
Grape, since poor Charley died"
HIM That proves nothing" Eldridge commented.
We're they happy together: 1t struck me always he
was never quite easy about her"
You never liked Clara" Miss Minton answered
slowly. No more than you did, Eidridge broke In.
BE honest Mary You know this
mon: We knew, all along, Charley had married the
Jessie was the wife hin--if he only could have
seen It, Well it's my belief he might be living still.
but nave TO say 1t for the girl he did marry-Ahs
has behaved admiraniy-the deepest black after two
whole years no company at all going except
liberal
her conscience" Eldrtdse growed "A who
mad not wouldn't have validated those unsigned cod
And under the viii took every ming"
dont see how YOU make that out Miss Minton
said shaking her head.
Eldridge laughed souriy IT she had fought
we might have looked into her past" he said De-
lehd upon II she has history. The Is in it..
she Is thinking of him. pinng for him, nights
she walks and down the halls
Il don't know hut what you right. Still there's
nothing We can do. Miss Minton began tentatively.
watch he said Let me know # the least thing
haprens-~for chafleys sake and our own
GU mean your own Miss Aiinton apostrophized
as he went down the walk.
fshe was good woman, churchly, charitable given
IL merces and clean minded but for ten years She
had been under Eldridge's spell by the hope OF
beng one day his wife They betrothed-ir
that he s r sns ha sa haa an
bond. As manager Of the Estes estate he brought
younger charming than herself vthal very
Elardse was Intensely ambitious also not little
sraspias He had held his disappearing attitude
Perhaps It was because Of her n. yesa a,a.
trust In her eyes.
She's keeping back ing-sometr,ng ought
Gould but IND II out she oua be IN his
o the power Something in her tamntaa him
much as even this other tnlns repe,Iea nm Mary
MIrt8n9 Mary WIS eana = e.
Ne had - .a ne .s,1 ~ out 81 the count.
but her Charey Estes would have married nra,v
Jessie Eldrase, thus bringing into the family the
necessary money Plus mone. Eidridga felt he could
rule TIL. state Iie.haa the u.,nc. az aaus,nanea
which made such ruling precious
doctor ne feIt more than ever pound 10 'pnf. ,h
family fortunes Miss Miutnns revelations appeared
to point the way--tsiara Estes had a saer.t-
LET him come upon IT, ana she would be ae,.
hands
Therefore his heart leapea when three day, after
Miss Mnton called guaraealy over the phone: We
have strange XisorMrathar layatas4eas I, sea
him come quickly
Exaels hour later he stepped through the door
Of the library Eaatwod- clara sat al the table In
front Of the ire. head her hands her eyes
dosneast. visitor stood beside me mantei thus
almost directly hsnsath the II owner
OF Eastwood E1driage started sight the stran.
ger 4 likeness, subtle. elusive, In a sense shos,I,.
the pictured face made him feel that nsra VIZ.
the beginning Of possible Tragedy
Clara looked up at his entrance IL th. ,er.na.
tiny sn@ aSk"a smiling family a. n he ptint
OF sending for soayel could not quite decide 10
do it
We'll, am here Ftdrdge sfIf*yV
Jhe stranser gt9Wered him. Neither man rad
made the least acknowledgement %; the Others pres
ence@
Gtara rose You said her head
high, TO help me in---tne Fighting Of wrong
Il don't understand FIaridQa hasa,
She held up her hand. saving Wait yn, xrnt
Let me you Marshall Estes owner -,
this house-og everythtngas soon as Won ~, iapas
transfer 1t him
YOU mad~-love ypad Ertar;8.,. sra.~os
member your husbands wil--hy retnarrtare Won ror
felt control estate It yeats instead In me-.
t.Yo, have nnna .@6,fa",s@ So.
tnars s,ls 49, M ~ my nushaha-from his IA
$3.50 main VINO oieo uhfndrrled-~-