The Devils Lake world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1911, 1911-03-17
A RUSE, HAT
FAILED
b. LAURA lp.A MOSS
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

WIS GOl.SlitpllA HlEftNt'Ass IhSIAA A''lsSA"
bic. 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 100000 Of property which John
expected or at least hoped she would
leave to him ut 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 We're
a 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
1t 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 new era in the lives of
John and Gertrude. Not q 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 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 i'll.
and Gertrude was obliged to go to her.
While she was away John slept in the
house. taking his meals at restaurants.
He would return from business late In
the afternoon, get on as best he could
till dinner time. then go out and dine
alone at cheap cafe.
At last Gertrude's presence ut her
mothers home was no longer neces-
sary. and she concluded to give John q
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 1t
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
". so the demon Of suspicion entered
Gertrude's breast.
$50 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 time tear stood in her eye.
The woman made no reply at first
She seemed to be thinking. Presently
she said:
II presume you are John Bingham's
wife. If 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. I beseech you
let me go. John will tell you how we
have been tempted"
II will let you 60 after John comes
home and l 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 at 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
hail. His wife turned upon him like q
fury. The cornered woman simply
stared at both the others without
speaking.
II never saw this person BEFORE
said John quietly, but firmly. mad
am" he added, addressing the stran.
ger, what did you come into my
house for? You had some object in
doing so. but I confess it puzzles me
to guess what it is. You are too well
dressed for thief Your pretending
to come here to visit me is subter
4 fuge."
He studied her for a few moments
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 goins
hard with her. John turned to Ger
trude and said quickly:
"Aunt Caroline is dead. I received
notice to that effect at the Office to
day. She died the day before yester
day The letter was delayed by bein,
sent to the wrong address"
Husband and wife looked at eacl
other. An idea struck them at tn
same moment. or perhaps it was CON
municated from one to the other b.
telepathy.
'aThe willw exclaimed Gertrude.
''Go to my desk and see If it i
there" said John. "Here is the key.
She took the key from him as sh
passed him. went to the desk an
looked for the will.
'Tts gone" she cried, running bac
to where she had left the other two.
, MADAM" said John sternly to til
woman. "you are some relative Of min
? who, having heard of the death OF m
! aunt and having an old will leavin
. her property to you, have stolen min
; to destroy it, Give me the paper an
> 20 free. Retain it and shall sen
' you to police station to be searched
] This is penitentiary offense."
a The woman considered awhile, the
J. taking a paper from hand bag ST
b carried, tossed it at him.
i "Who are you?" he asked II wis
+ to know from curiosity alone"
!. "Jane Midway. a cousin Of yours
your mothers side. Ten years af
your aunt made will In my favor"
Rismarck,s Comment.