The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1912-11-08
THE WOMAN THAT
CROSSED HIS PATH
BY PAUL TRENT.

when the cold weather comes"
Sufficient unto the day." PhiIbank
laughed harshly.
1t was weakness and not vice that
had brought him to this state. In
South Africa he had fought brilliant
ly, and returned to England with the
brightest prospects. But a woman
had crossed his path-a woman with
the DEVILS Seauty that had made him
forget everything save his desire.
Career had been sacrificed at her al
tar-money had been thrown away
and then she had coldly dismissed
him. The descent had been rapid, and
now for months he had been existing
from hand to mouth-and for the
last few days homeless and half
starved
Il wish to God they'd give me an
other chance" the younger suddenly
said.
Philbank looked at him suspicious
ly and seemed about to speak then
hesitated. and finally remained ST.
lent
Could you make goodwill an
other CHANGER" he asked at last
Il believe So"
Then you shall have one. Wait a
moment"
Philbank hailed a passing police
man.
-~"Officer, can you oblige me with a
piece of paper and pencil?" he
asked
hn 81 hi y 1c IT,. ut
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 / 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 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 on his coat and
dove toward 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 a 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
wavered, until his arms barely moved
''I'm done!" he gasped, and his
senses were vanishing, when a darl
body doomed over them and voices
sounded in his ears
When Philbank recovered con
seriousness he was lying in bed will
clean sheets, the touch of silk on hi
skin.
Where am II" he asked, feverish
ly. And kindly blue eyes looked dow
at him.
"Strathmore!" he gasped.
you mustn't talk, old man. Go t.
sleep" was the gentle answer.
A couple of days later he was seat
, ed on the balcony, but now he wa
well dressed and his stomach was n,
longer empty. Beside him was Col
onel Strathmore.
You are sure you are stron,
enough to go to the inquest?" the col
onel asked anxiously.
quite sure. And so the poor devi
Is dead. Well, she wanted to die"
An hour later Philbank entered tn
mortuary and his eyes rested on tn
face of the woman whose life he ha,
struggled to save.
"Heaven!" he cried, and his voic
was filled with horror 1t was tn
| woman who had ruined his life. H
touched her hand and trembled at it
chill. Her eyes-they were blue
we're open, and on her forehead wa
| bruise. Slowly he bent his head
! and the lips touched the discolore
skin; the memory of fierce kisse
| overwhelmed him.
! And then he went out to face tn
| world.