The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-08-20

Grace was well aware OF IL. Rut sht
managed, none the less, to give the
quickly spoken words a turn of civil
inquiry, and her face did not change.
YES" hurried on Wanda. They're
digging up the old scandal. They've
unearthed it all except the Woman's
name They must get that before they
can go ahead. When they get that
name they'll use the story to ruin him
and her"
"Yes?" returned Grace, her sweet
voice bare Of emotion and her express
sion one of polite boredom. And why
should you come to me with this
story? l am not interested in the
seamy side of politics"
"Oh, all right" said Wanda despon-
emily. IF that's the way you take it,
it's no business of mine. But you're
Tom Blake's sister and couldn't let
you run into the trap without warn
ing you. I've done it. And I've been
called impertinent for my pains When
/ / first found out it was you who were
/ mixed up in the case. | said to my
self: Let Jim Blake go ahead. Let
aim hit out in the dark at the Wom-
an, and smash his own heart with the
( blow It'll be fair Then, | got to
/ thinking it over. And-well | found |
! couldn't quite bring myself to pay off
my own debts by spelling another
woman's life. l guess I'd be a failure
at politics." she ended with a little
laugh of self-disgust That's all.
1ood-by."
And So" said Grace slowly, you
same to me--just to help me? You
iidn't think for an instant that, out
If gratitude. might help you?"
Help me? How?"
"By making 1t easy for you to carry
cut your idea of marrying my brother?
Perhaps by using this scandal story as
threat to force me into helping your"
Wanda looked at her for a full half
minute in blank silence. Then, turn
ing to the door she said:
II guess was a fool to butt in"
Zone moment" interposed Grace;
adding, as Wanda paused: "You-you
made certain insinuations about me,
Just now. You must prove them-you
must give me your reasons for the
absurd supposition that l might know
anything about this Standish scandal"
Mrs. Robertson" replied Wanda,
her hand still on the door-knob, I'm
not in your class. | don't know just
how women in your station Of life
manage such things. But it seems
rather tough that you can't find way
to defend yourself without insulting
me. Let that go. You want. to know
, how | found out? I'll tell you. Early
r this evening Mr. Standish learned of
this scheme TO wreck him. He knows
the story couldn't be used without the
Woman's name. And Blake bluffed
him into believing the machine would
have the name before midnight. Mr.
Standsh's first thought was to warn
, the Woman. Just as Blake had known
J it would be- He called up your house
l in New York"
I what Of that? l was not at home
this evening. l was on my way here
, to"
But Mr. Standish didn't know that
=, And" pursued Grace fiercely, Just
i because Mr.. Standish CHANGED to cal
: up my husbands New York home
T you've evolved this insane theory
= What proof is there-beyond your un
: backed word-that he called up my
house?"
THE time-card at central. A list o
all calls is forwarded every evening
to central and"
THAT proves nothing" declared
Grace. Nothing at ALL oh. it's pref
ty trick you're playing, Miss Kelly. 4
very pretty trick. But 1t will fail. fo'
build it all on the statement that SOM
one called up the house of Governo
Robertson. Fifty people call up gu
house every day. And on the strength
of that, his wife is to be involved in
story of low intrigue-Oh, it's out
rageous."
"Will Mr.. Standish explain to you
husband why he called you up?"
He didn't call me UP. Mr.. Standisl
could have had nothing to say to me
He'll deny every charge you make
And my word will be believed ahead
a Matchmaking phone girls. l nee
simply say you tried to gain my bel
by means Of threats to-"
you need simply say It? VIII 20
swear TO III"
"Yesl" flashed Grace. IF the nee
arises. A woman's reputation Isn't d.
stroyed 80 easily as you seem to thinl
n Miss Kelly"
a "And the country hotel proprietor?
i. asked Wanda. II forgot to say they's
sent for him. He can identify tn
. Woman who was registered as Mr.
Fowler He"
7 do you suppose. for one moment
said Grace. white to the lips< that N