The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1913-08-27


little private Office was left unmark-
ed with his name, but the name Brans-
combe was prominently displayed
upon the door of the clerks room,
through which all visitors were ad-
mitted. Lucy was greatly surprised,
therefore, when, one morning during
her employers absence, she heard the
outer door, which was supposed to be
locked, open. She looked up. a
comely, well-dressed woman was
standing before her.
She looked at her SO fxedly that
Lucy knew trouble was ahead. She
was glad Mr.. Branscombe was away.
so you are the young woman secre-
tary," said the woman slowly, with
dangerous tension.
We'll, madam, what can I do for
you?" she asked. She would not
mention her employers name; she
had already learned caution in the
struggle with the would-be assassin.
The woman suddenly flung herself
down upon her knees and seized
Lucys hands.
Il want you to be an honest wom-
an give him up to me-" she said.
Il don't understand" faltered Lucy,
and a sense of impending disaster
,overcame her, SO that she could hard
ly see. She felt that she was trem-
bling and put out one hand to steady
herself.
The woman leaped to her feet; she
was menacing now. 20 yes, you un-
derstand.' she cried. "You have
stolen him from me; you have won
his love, you-you bad woman. He
was mine before he. ever set eyes on
you"
Her voice broke, and, snatching at
the document, she replaced it in her
gown again. .
Il want you to give him up" she
pleaded. 1T is not yet too late. l
have had you watched-both Of you.
I have my detectives watching this Of
fee now. / am going to bring suit
against you both unless you promise
me never to see him again.
You are his wife," inquired Lucy.
strangely dispassionate. 1t seemed too
ridiculous to be true.
Il am his wife and the mother Of
his child,' answered the woman,
catching at her hand again. "And I
want you to be an honest girl and let
him go. For he will tire of you just
as he has tired of me. He follows
every pretty face. You think he will
divorce me and marry you, you fool.
That will never be. Leave him.
Il had no idea Of such thing" fall
tered Lucy. She looked into the wom-
ans face. Through the tears that
nued her eyes she saw there the look
of outraged womanhood that bore sure
stamp Of conviction. This woman was
speaking the truth.
She had been Brancombe's play
thing. And how heartless he had been.
This had been no sudden and irresist-
ible passion, but cunningly contrived,
and she, poor fly, had walked into the
spiders trap. She knew now what
her mother meant by ''foolishness."
What are you going to do?" ques-
toned the woman eagerly.
Il am going:to leave this Office and
never come back said Lucy quietly.
God bless you-God bless you,"
the woman wept. You will never re-
gret it,
Lucy put on her hat and pulled on
her gloves. There was plenty of time,
for Branscombe would not be back for
an hour yet, unless the case ended
Unexpectedly.
And in spite of it all, she could not
regret those happy hours together.
She knew that she would always re-
member their love with pride and hap
piness. That was what made her so
calm now.
She unlocked the door and showed
the woman out. They stood together
one moment in the passage, and the
woman raised her hands to her lips.
Il thank you with all my heart-for
my boys sake" she said. Il am sure
you never knew
- mo, I didn't know" said Lucy.
They went side by side down the
passage, like old friends. Lucy
pressed the elevator button and the
cage shot down. They stepped in,
and a moment later were at the
ground floor. They stepped out and
ct the door came face to face with
Branscombe.
"Why, Lucy-Miss Bentwich," he
looked at her curiously.
She made to pass him, but as he
did not make way for her, she was
compelled to wait. The woman at her
side waited calmly.
You're sick-you're going home?"
he said, a vague note of alarm in his
voice.
mo, am not ILL.," she cried. Are
you going to deny your own wife in
my presence"
my wife," asked Branscombe, and
his eyes fell casually upon the vom-
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