El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-07-20
WOMAN'S WORD
A Short Story

q MALL boys raucously bawling the
haring headlines of the early edi-
ton Of the evening paper turned
into Halstead square-that mean,
squalid Chelsea, sIum and backwater
of civilization.
In back room of No. % a woman
a very young woman, her glorious
chestnut hair splaying out on her bill
lows and making her look even younger
"a woman lay with half-shut eyes on
a bed.
The boys shriIl cries floated Up, but
she did not heed them; nor did the two
men-the one DR.. Hoathly, grim, pre-
Keynes, husband of the white faasd
girl in the next room, despairing,
choking, miserymaddened
She wants feeding up, Mr.. Keynes.
little Wine-chicken-keep her on
white meat \ good tonic-yes, I've
left the prescription. Take her away
to the sea-"
Suddenly Philip loughed. A laugh
which made his wife vince as she
heard it and DR.. HOathly flush an
griiy.
Wine-chieken-the scar he cried.
his face working. Bread and water;
paupers-didn't you know that? Pau
pers-social wrecks, drifting through
the rocks of starvation to perdition!
Wine-chicken-the scar
Again that horrible laugh burst
from him. PennilesS Philip keynes
prospectless actOr-unemplOyed
wanted-What mOckery were the
doctors orders!
And when Dr. HOathly had taken his
departure, Philip fell on his knees Dy
the window. his elbows on the sill, his
! head on his arms, while great shud-
dering sobs shook his sparse frame
''Philip-Philip-dar
Philip! Philip-OId man| a voice
echoed.
The voice-a mans husky, reckless
tOnes-came from the rickety stairs.
Philip scrambled TO his feet
Marcus" he exclaimed beneath his
''DOn't-don't see him. his wife
begged swiftly. He'd bad-a wicked
man"
''Philipl Where in Hades have you
Marcus Keynes, burIy Marcus, so like
his brother Philip, yet so unlike, mas
terful, wild, dissipated Marcus glanced
contemporary round the squahd
room.
Halo. virtue doesn't seem to pay!"
he sneered as Philip entered We'll
Phil, here / an turned up like a bad
penny. Don't ask me where I've been
or what I've done in the two years
since we met I'm in no mood for tic
ton, and you might not like the truth.
He sat down astride OF a chair, his
mocking, bloOdshot eyes fixed on his
brother. Swiftly he learned how Things
were Then, very abruptly he asked
Phil, you want money-badly-eh2
More than I've ever wanted any
thing before" said Philip.
Then I'll help you Swears you'll
tell no one-sWear, Philip
a swear, Marcus"
"She can't hear2' (Philip shook his
head.) We'll Phil, you've heard Of
the kidnapping OF Lord Eric Cowden,
grandson and heir of the old Marquis
of Grinstead2 No? Cad, the papers
are full Of it, Whsre're your eyes?
The boy disappeared from his pram
under the very nose Of his nurse yes
terday afternoon in RichOmnd park
She was talking to a soldier. She says
she WASH denies she ever took her
eyes off him; but I know better How
do 1 know?
He looked at Philip, winked. and
then whispered:
I took him-that's why!"
Your gasped Philip
Yes, Grinstead's grandson. You
know Grinstead Towers just beyond
Richmond. kidnapped him. He's
safe in a slum in Soho. ThereH be
huge reward, I don't doubt It's a
risky game L want you to take hand
in, Philip. It's this: 1 daren't go my
self, not into the house, anyway-for
the nurse might recognize me. But
you'd be safe Well 90 there tonight
You'll go in alone and see the old
marquis. Tell him you believe you
could restore the child if paid-What's
that?'
The two words came like twin ex-
plosions His brother spTang up,
striding to the bedroom door, Mary
stood there, with horror, disgust, and
loathing in her round, astounded eyes,
one hand to her heaying breast, the
other clinging to the Intel of the door.
"Tou-you deYilt" she cried with
strangled SOB. then continued
I'll tell him-the marquis. He
shall have the whole truth. If you
force Philip to join you in this"
Then I shall lock you in-send for
a neighbor and forcibly prevent your
decision had come temper. He loathed
the thing he contemplated. But still
more he hated her opposition. His con-
science tortured him enough. Give me
your word not to betray meme, your
husband-and I'll leave you free here
till"
BEST lock her in, Phil Women's
words are broken reeds to rely on
'Pn take your word, Mary" said
Philip, Ignoring his brother. Your
promise?"
He thought she was going to refuse.
Her lips moved as though In negation-
Then, suddenly, she fell back on her
Il promise not to betray you" she
Nor me" cried Marcus swiftly.
"Shes a Judas, Phil
Curse you, be SILENT" said Philip
passionately. Promise to betray nei-
ther of us by word or deed, Mary
4 promise to betray neither OF you
by word or deed" she repeated Go,
Philip. go; let me be alone"