Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1911-04-20
A RUSl. THAT
FAILED
BY LAURA IDA ROSS
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911,

John and Gertrude Bingham were
obliged to have live with them Johns
nunt, a disagreeable old woman, who
was constantly making them misera-
ble. There were two reasons why they
should keep her in the house. One
was that she had no other home, ana
the other was that she possessed
about $4,000 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 ana
making new wills, leaving her money
TO some distant relative. There were
number of these wills outstanding,
bur John knew that he had the last
one locked in his desl; in his bedroom.
Not long after this will was made
the old lady became an imbecile, and
Il became necessary to send her to
sanitarlunI. John now felt perfectly
safe, for his aunt could not make an
other viii that would be legal.
The old lady's departure was the be-
ginning Of 4 new era in the lives OF
John and Gertrude Not n 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 MS a reason that ut her
death he would he amply reimbursed.
But the cost Of living was constantly
increasing md at the time of the old
Iadv's departure his household eX-
penscs were double what they had been
when the couple were first married.
Mrs. Binaham's mother became i'll,
and Gertrude was obliged TO 20 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 80 out and dine
alone mt a cheap cafe.
At last Gertrude's presence at her
mothers home was no longer neces-
sary, and she concluded to give John n
surprise by returning without notify
ing him. Her train arrived at such an
hour ag would take her to her own
home about the time John reached it
after business hours. She arrived be-
fore him Going upstairs, she saw a
figure fitting through the hall Ger
trude gave Chase and cornered n wo-
man I'm one of the bedrooms She was
altogether too well dressed for a 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 10 her cheek while at the
same tune 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 Binghams
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 ana unhuppi-
ness on my children | besccch you
let me 60. John will tell you how we
have been tempted"
81 will let YOU 20 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 ono knows. for nj that mo-
mcnt 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 a
fury. The cornered woman simply
stared at both the others without
speaking
Il never saw this person before
said John quietly, but firmly Mad
am he added. addressing thc stran-
ger whit did YOU come into my
house for? You had some object in
doing So, but | confess IL puzzles mc
10 guess what it is You are too N,.,tl
dressed for thief Your pretending
20 come here 10 visit me is subtcg.
tuce."
lie studied her for few moments.
during which she stood mute looking
from him TO his wife like one at bay
Whatever was her real object In en-
tcring the house, matters were going
hard with her John turned 10 Ger
tudc aud said quickly:
Aunt Caroline Is dead received
~ ne.te To that effect az the Office to.
day. She diel the dly before yester-
af. The letter WIS delayed by being
sent 10 tae wrong address
Husband aud wife looked az each
other Au i1aa struck them at the
same moment or perhaps it was com
muuicatea from one 10 the other Us
trlomthy
"The win" exclaimed Gertrude
600 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 20 the desk ana
looked for the win
ITS Comet" she cried, running back
10 whore she had left the other two.
Madam said John sternly to the
woman, You are some relative of mine
thO, having heard of the death OF my