The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-10-11
THE WOMAN THAT
CROSSED HIS PATH
ey PAUL TR RENT.


enbankuelt their resting place 70,
The night
I'm wondering Ehgt it'll De TX:
when the cold weather comes
Sufficient unto the day" Phlb2ni
laughed harshly.
/. Vas weakness and 10, vice :hs,
rad brought him to this state II
south Africa he had fought brilliant
y. and returned 10 England ~.,h the
bTightes; prospects But = woman
lad crossed his pa,h-a woman -i,h
the devils beauty that had made him
forget everything save his desire.
Career had been sacrificed q, her al.
-ar-money had been thrown away
and then she had coldly dismissed
him. The descent had been rapid, and
noT for months he had been existing
from hand to noVth-and for the
las, few days homeless and halt.
starved.
i wish TO God they'd give me an
other chance, the younger suddenly
said
Phlbauk looked at him suspicious
y and seemed about to speak, then
hesi,ated and finally remained 81.
lent.
Could you make goodwill an
other chance?" he asked at last.
Il believe so"
Then you shall have one. Walt a
moment"
Philbank hailed passing police
man.
"OAcer, can you oblige me with a
piece Of paper and pencil?" he
asked
The constable put his hand in his
pocket and produced the required ar.
ticles. Philbank wrote rapidly, and
handed back the pencil with thanks.
Take this to the Savoy and ask
for Colonel Strathmore. But l want
your word that you won't say where
you have seen me- Philbank said
roughly to the other. Good luck to
you"
Thanks, and"
Cut along"
Philbank watched him cross to the
other side of the embankment.
Il believe | can do it-now," he
muttered, and drew near the parapet.
For moment his muscles were taut
and then his body relaxed.
Il haven't got the pluck" he said
with groan, and he despised himself
the more for his cowardice
He was about TO turn away, when a
shrill cry could be heard some thirty
yards of, and a crowd quickly gather.
ed, all eyes peering eagerly toward the
river. He hurried along and asked
what had happened
"A woman has jumped over" some
one said.
Philbank threw OF his coat and
dove toward a dark object which could
just be seen. He swan strongly. but
as he reached her she struggled fierce
ly to free herself from his grasp.
Let me die"
Don't be fool" he cried, and
when she continued to fight he raised
his fist and struck her sharply on the
temple
Then her struggles ceased and he
commenced TO tow her slowly toward
the embankment Her clothes became
saturated and his burden the heavier,
but still he struggled on. Bodily
weakness told at last and his strength
wayered, until his arms barely moved.
I'm done" he gasped and his
senses were vanishing, when a dark
body loomed over them and voices
sounded in his ears. /
When Philbank recovered con-
sciousness he was lying in a bed with
clean sheets, the touch of silk on his
skin
Where am T." he asked, feverish-
ly. And kindly blue eyes looked down
at him
"Strathmore!" he gasped
you mustn't talk, old man. Go to
sleep" was the gentle answer.
A couple OF days later he was seat
ed on the balcony, but now he was
well dressed and his stomach was no |
longer empty. Beside him was Col
onel Strathmore.
You are sure you are strong
enough to go to the inquest" the col
onel asked an@iously.
Quite sure And so the poor devil
is dead. Well, she wanted to die"
An hour later Philbank entered the
and his eyes rested on the
face OF the woman whose life he had
struggled TO save
Heaven" he cried, and his voice
was filled with horror 1t was the
woman who had ruined his life He
touched her hand and trembled at It's
chill. Her eyes-they were blue
were open, and on her forehead was
a bruise. Slowly he bent his head,
and the lips touched the discolored
SKIN; the memory OF fierce kisses
overwhelmed him.
And shen he went out to face the
world