Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-11-21

charges against the dead woman. be-
meath contempt"
what did he say about herr" asked
old Kirkby.
you know my story?" asked New.
bold.
Eyes"
HE said that my wife had been IN
faithful to me-with him-and that he
had refused to take her back. Great
God!"
And it was true" snarled Arm
strong.
1t was all Maitland could do to
check Newbold's rush, but in the end
1t was old Kirkby who most effectively
interposed.
That's a damned lie" he said quiet.
ly with his usual drawing voice.
you a say So" laughed Arm
strong, "but that doesn't alter the
facts"
And I can prove It," answered the
old man triumphantly.
1t was coming, the secret that she
had tried to conceal was about to be
revealed, thought Enid. She made a
movement toward the old man. She
opened her mouth to bid him be silent
and then stopped. 1t would be use
less she knew. The determination
was no longer hers. The direction of
affairs had been withdrawn from her.
After all 1t was better that the unlov-
ing wife should be proved faithful,
even If her husbands cherished mem
DRY of ner love for him had to be de-
stroyed thereby. Helpless she list
ened, knowing full we'll what the old
frontiersman's next word would be.
Prove It," Knocked Armstrong.
"How?"
"By your W hand, out of your own
mouth, you dog" Numbered old Kirk
by. Miss Enid, where are them let
tiers l give your"
I'll" faltered the girl, but there
was no escape from the keen glance Of
the old man; her hand went to the
bosom Of her tunic.
Letters" exclaimed Armstrong.
What letters?"
"These," answered Enid Maitland,
holding up the packet.
Armstrong reached for them, but
Kirkby again interposed.
mo, you don't" he said dryly.
| EWrhnno oipIk Gov ~, AVA 1yok M
Newbold, l found them letters on the
little shelf where your wife first struck
when she fell over onto the butte
where she died. I figured out her
dress was tore open there, and them
letters she was carrying fell out and
lodged there. We had ropes an we
went down over the rocks that way.
l went first an l picked 'em up. l new
er told nobody about it, an l never
showed EN- to a single human bein'
until l give 'em to Miss Maitland at
the camp"
why not?" asked Newbold, taking
the letters.
There wasn't no good tellin' nobody
then, jest fer the sake O. stirrin' up
trouble"
But why did you give them to her
at last?"
Because I was Altered she might
fall in love with Armstrong. l sup
posed she'd know his writin', but w'er
she didn't I. just let her keep EN-
anyway. 1 knowed it'd all come Out
somehow; there is a God above us ii
spite of all the damned scoundrels OF
earth like this 'un."
Are these letters addressed to my
dead wife," asked Newbold.
They are" answered Enid Matt
land. Look and see."
And did Mr.. Armstrong writ,
them?"
He'll deny it, I suppose" answered
Kirkby.
But I am familiar with his hant
writing" said Maitland.
Taking the still unopened packe
from Newbold, he opened 1t, examined
one of the letters and handed them al
back.
There is no doubt about it," h
said. Its Armstrong; hand, +,
swear to It"
ooh, III acknowledge them" sal
Armstrong, seeing the absolute futi
ity of further denial. He had forgot
ten all about the letters. He had no
dreamed they were In existence
you've got me beat between you; tn
cards are stacked against me. Nv
done my damndest"-and indeed tina
was true.
Well, he had played a great game
battling for a high stake he had stuc
at nothing. A career in which som
good had mingled with much bad wa
now at an end. He had lost utterly
would he show himself a good loser?
INT. Armstrong" said Newbol
: quietly, extending his hand. here ar
your letters"
, What do you mean?"
q" am not in the habit Of reading lie
| tiers addressed to other people withor
permission, and when the recipient {
, them is dead long since. I am doubl
bound"
You're e damned fool" cried Arm
strong contemptuously.
n "That kind Of a charge from YOU
kind Of a man is perhaps the highe.
complaint you could pay me. don
.