The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-03-14
A RUSE THAT
FAILED
BY LAURA IDA ROSS
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

aunt. disagreeable old woman, who
was constantly making them misera-
bile. There were two reasons why they
should keep her in the house. One
was that she had no other home, and
the other was that she possessed
about $4,000 of property which John
expected or at least hoped she would
leave to him at her death Besides.
the old lady was constantly quarreling
with the only home open to her and
making new wills, leaving her money
TO some distant relative. There were
number of these wills outstanding,
but John knew that he had the last
one locked in his desk in his bedroom
Not long after this will was made
the old lady became an imbecile. and
it became necessary to send her to a
sanitarium. John now felt perfectly
safe. for his aunt could not make an
other will that would be legal.
The old lady's departure was the be-
ginning OF a new era in the lives of
John and Gertrude. Not a ripple ever
came between them. and their home
was peace and comfort True, Johns
Income was very small. but his aunt
had never paid any board, always
throwing OUT as a reason that at her
death he would be amply reimbursed.
But the cost of living was constantly
increasing. and at the time of the old
lady's departure his household ex-
penses were double what they had been
when the couple were first married.
Mrs. Bingham's mother became ILL.,
and Gertrude was obliged to so to her
While she was away John slept in the
house. taking his meals ut restaurants.
He would return from business late in
the afternoon. get on as best he could
till dinner time then 90 out and dine
alone at cheap cafe.
At last Gertrude's presence at her
mothers bone was no longer neces-
sary. and she concluded to give John
surprise By returning without notify
ing him. Her train arrived at such an
hour as would take her to her own
home about the time John reached IL
after business hours. She arrived be.
fore him. Going upstairs, she saw
figure fitting through the hall. Ger
trude gave chase and cornered wo-
man In one of the bedrooms. She was
altogether too well dressed for com.
mon thief. Indeed. she was very come.
ly. so the demon of suspicion entered
Gertrude's breast.
80 this is the way my husband
passes his time while | am away, is
it," she said TO the woman, the blood
mounting to her cheek, while at the
same dime tear stood in her eye.
The woman made no reply at first
She seemed to be thinking. Presently
she said:
Il presume you are John Bingham's
wife. II you make any ado about my
being here you will ruin him and me
You will also make my husband miser.
able and bring disgrace and unhappi-
ness on my children, beseech you
let me go. John win tell you how we
have been tempted"
Il will let you go after John comes
home and / have had an opportunity
to tell you both my opinion OF you"
You shall not prevent my going"
The woman started to leave the
room, but Gertrude stood in the only
opening How the matter would have
resulted no one knows. for Mt that mo-
ment the front door was heard to open
and close and some one was heard in
the lower hall In another moment
John Bingham appeared In the upper
hall His wife turned upon him like a
fury The cornered woman simply
stared at both the others without I
speaking.
II never saw this person before"
said John quietly, but firmly. Mad 1
am" be added. addressing the stran- /
ger, what did you come into my
house for? You had some object in
doing so. but confess II puzzles me !
TO guess what it is. You are too well I
dressed for thief Your pretending
10 come here to visit me is a subter-
fuge"
He studied her for a few moments. 4
during which she stood mute, looking /
from him TO his wife like one at bay. /
Whatever was her real object In en-
tering the house, matters were going I
hard with her John turned TO Ger I
trude and said quickly
Aunt Caroline is dead. | received /
notice to that effect at the office To-
day. She died the day before yester-
day The letter was delayed by being
sent 10 the wrong address"
Husband and wife looked at each
other An idea struck them at the
same moment, or perhaps it was COM
municated from one TO the other by
telepathy,
The willr' exclaimed Gertrude.
Go to my desk and see il it Is
there" said John. "Here is the key"
She took the key from him as she
passed him. went to the desk and
looked for the will.
ITS gonew she cried. running back
TO where she had left the other two.
Madam" said John sternly TO the
woman. you are some relative of niue
who. having heard of the death of my
aunt and having an old viii leaving
her property to you. have stolen mine
TO destroy it. Give me the paper and
go free. Retain It and shall send
YOU TO a police station TO be searched.
This IS a penitentiary offense."
The woman considered awhile. then,