El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-10-09
By Francis Russell Gilbert.

- A ND NOW, Mr.. Masterton, that
Il you have my verdict, must
L - hurry away. 1 have another
patient TO see a few miles farther down
the coast-the patient by the way,
whose illness enabled me to make an
exception to my rule, to reduce my Gus
tomary fee. 20 guineas on your wife's
behalf. I am sincerely glad that I have
been able to do so. and I trust that I
have succeeded in Tightening your fears
somewhat" said the great Harley street
specialist taking up his hat and
gloves and looking at the man who
stood opposite him.
Allan Masterton muttered a dis
tracted and indistinct reply. His chief
feeling at that moment was one of
wolfish greed, and it was reflected in
his eyes as he watched the doctor take
up the crisp roll of bank notes and
thrust them carefully into his pocket
Now, take my advice, Mr.. Master
ton. Get your wife away from here
/ without loss of time-a week sooner
or later often makes all the difference
in a case like this; all the difference,
my dear sir" he repeated with a benev-
Olent smile, as he stepped into the
huge touring car and swept off down
the road, disappearing in a white cloud
of dust
Il must take her away, the man from
Harley street said, away to the warmth
of the south, to the sunshine of the
blue sea She must live well, have Of
everything the best-and he has my
last penny in his pocket"
For long he sat staring into the
empty hopeleSsness. of the immediate
future, unable to think, save of the
I futility of everything under heaven,
when a thin voice called him.
Well Allan, what did the doctor say
If it was anything very dreadful don't
be afraid to tell me. I've screwed my
courage up, and 1 want to know the
truth?"
Vera Masterton looked up into her
husbands face as he bent over her
couch.
well, it seems that we have been
worrying ourselves quite lot over
simple matter, dear. There is nothing
dreadful to tell, except that we are
ordered away for another honeymoon
he replied with forced cheerfulness.
Going away Oh. Allan, how per-
fectly splendid!' Then the brightness
faded from her eyes. "Oh, but I for
got OF course, it is quite impossible,
we can't afford it, My poor Allan, you
gave up more than you imagined when
you married me against the wishes OF
your family.
See what have brought you to,
poverty and worse than poverty, OBJ
security in a ramshackle cottage on
lonely coast: without friends, without
money almost, and with a Sickly wife
] have much to answer for dear and
YOU who should have been among the
great of the earth, you are here chained
hand and foot"
When we are in the warmth of the
south, away from these dull rocks and
frowning crags, you will forget all
this and be my own merry little Vera
again. Halo, what's this?'
"Oh, of course, 1 quite forgot" cried
Vera, as Masterton picked up a letter
from the mantelshelf That came for
you couple of hours ago"
1T is from a friend who is staying
over and see him tonight That means
that I shall have to start at once. You
won't mind being left?"
NO, dear. But to row across the bay
now-it is almost twilight and it will
[ be quite dark before you return. Is 1t
very important that you should gO?"
Very. 1t may be the means of Sc
curing US our second honeymoon. Don't
worry about me and the twilight, be
sure I shall be safe. Put the beacon
! light in the window as usual" replied
Allan.
7 hate to see you go out in the
gray hour"
But. dear. the sea is like a mill pond
"a lake could be no calmer."
1T is not the sea I fear. 1t Is be-
cause you grow mysterious when I can
no longer follow you with my eyes"
Masterton laughed at her for her
imagined fears, kissed her as if his
| heart were gay, and went from the
room and from the house.
AS he stood upon the breakWater
! where his boat was moored, he again
drew the letter from his pocket and
read it for the second time
What does he want me for2" he
muttered, froWning heavily. What can
he want me for, except for some job
which he knows that only desperate
man would dare attempt? Well if I
81 oh oh r=N rrrh
heaven alone knows how long I have
resisted it, and this mans overtures."
He entered the skiff and pushed off
from the breakwater.
In due course Masterton came under
the cleaning white walls of the harbOr.
After making his boat fast. he
stepped out upon the slippery stairs,
still wet from the wash of the tide.
He walked rapidly. keeping pace
with his thoughts.
He came to his destination at last
An old rambling house that had once
been a farm house, but that now was
I hardly habitable and in sad need of
repair. Was he expected? Even as
he asked himself a click made him
turn his gaze aside, and he started
| back in surprise. For he was gazing
into the sinister face of the man he
sought. the man who looked fiXedly at
him through movable panel in the
\ wall.
"Ah, So it is Mr.. Masterton? I bid
| the brave Mr.. Masterton welcome to
my humble abode; it is so humble be-
cause 1 so seldom occupy it. But come
| in"
81 received your letter" began Mas
1 terton as he stepped into room that
was in comfortable contrast to the rest
7 of the place.
Now, Mr. Masterton. take a seat.
There are cigars at your elbow. l
father think you'll like the brand. You
have lived in this neighborhood for
some time, I believe2"
ITO be exact. for two years, Mr..
Hasslache. I was surprised to known
that you had found me-" replied Allan.
Hasslache smiled peculiarly IN
pleasant sort of smile.
MY friend" he replied quietly, 81
had never lost you
Masterton started.
"But-but not even my family knows
my whereabouts he cried. Il have
not communicated with any friend
since we came to this God forsaken
spot Heaven knows. ] was glad to
hide myself from them all. Why, then,
should you keep me in sight?"
For the same reason that sent you