The Washington herald., 1914-01-21
Daily Short Story
EVIDENCE
Dy CAsPAR JOHNs0N.

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Talbot Dean put the papers in . pigeon
hole. cleared the litter from his biottsr
and closed the desk.
This was the last Of the once tor three
months. Tomorrow he was to marry the
incest girl in Al the world and they
would 90 abroad for their honeymoon.
Everything was fixed at last Business
matters were all settled. Now for three
months abroad with Frances-the cathe-
drais Of England. the gay life of Toulon
and Dieppe. the soft blue-gray ciins OF
Sorrento.
Dean began to whistle more blithely.
and then, without any preliminary tap
ping the once door opened very softly.
some one slid In. Frances Van was SIT
ting In the big chair by the window. the
traces Of recent tears in her eyes ana
pathetic droop to her shoulders.
Dean sprang forward.
Good Hesyensr he cried Frances
what ID II? what's happened7 You've
been crying. dearie-you've@
She held out hand A. II to ward him
on. The look on her face frightened
him.
please sit down--over there-at your
desk" she said.
Dased. bewildered. Dean, did AZ she
bade him.
'Trs all a mistake" she said. This
marriage Of ours, I've just found out In
time 1t would be an awful-a frightful
mistake"
He stared at her as IL he could not
believe his senses.
'T reasoned It all out this afternoon.
had to tell you at once"
Dumbly he stared at her for a good
half-mindte. Then he spoke. quietly. re-
servedly. as was always his wont, no
matter what the stress. His voice showed
neither surprise nor excitement.
May ! be permitted to ask" he In
quired, "why? This Is not like you.
Frances. You are not impulsive. You
weigh things before you act. I confess
I'm surprised. Therefore. why?"
IT'S a mistake" she repeated. pressing
her gloved hands together. I'VE should
never be happy; We couldn't be. feel
IT."
"A woman's reason he said.
'T am a woman" she flashed.
There must be a better one" he
urged.
please, please don't let's discuss IT,"
she said. please let Il go as 1t In. 1
counted on you to let me have my way.
'Tf you are sure you wish IT," said
Dean.
81 do" said she. Il do. I do"
VERY well, then" said he. 1T shall
be as YOU wish trust you implicitly.
Frsnces-your judgment, your lack OF
disturbing or inane impulsiveness- Your
reason, too or lack Of IL, Will be quite
sufficient, IL you wish II that way. Well
simply call this the end OF II"
"I knew you'd be like this" she cried.
and he couldn't tell whether it was graft
tude or disappointment In her voice
She stripped OF her left glove ana
from her third finger removed the single
diamond.
Here is the ring" she said. passing it
to him.
He took 1t and put it in his vest pocket.
"As always. as you wish," was his only
comment.
But she noticed hard lines appearing
at the corners OF his mouth. Still. he
was smiling. albeit a forced smile.
She replaced the glove
There seems to be nothing more" she
said.
Nothing, evidently" Re returned. and
stepped to the door to open 1t for her.
A minute he stood there fumbling the
knob Then all at once he wheeled about,
his face contorted-
NO. he cried hoarsely. by heavens.
MOI This is one too many! You're driven
me 100 lar lot ONCE Sll uO"h-
She stared at him in unbelief.
.I say sit down. he Numbered. and.
her by the arm he forced her
back almost roughly 20 the chair by the
window. Then he locked the office door
and put the key in his pocket.
What arc you doingT" she cried
He did not answer her. Instead he
picked up the telephone on his desk.
Savagely, he manipulated the receiver
hook until he was answered.
Give me 4s46 South" he called; and
moment later: This Billy Jordan? Say,
Billy, you're a justice of the peace. aren't
you? You can perform marriages.?
The girl in the chair by the window
stiffened.
well. hike right over here as fast as
you can
Frances Vail gasped-
"You wouldn't she gasped-
Wouldn't Il" he cried. Watch. This
Is just a little too much-to come in here
the evening before the wedding, when
everything is all arranged. when the tick
cts for the trip are bought and the book
ings at the hotels made, and tell me it's
all of-all OF because you feel We won't
be happy. Well. happy or no. you'll
marry me Just the same, and you'll go
abroad with me II 1 have to drag you
there in chains I am human. Have you |
ever thougnt OF mat!
Her hands pressed tight together. Her |
little teeth were set. Out OF her gray |
eyes flashed f1re.
You brute" she said.
"Quite so.' he returned. placidly again. |
At that juncture there came a tapping |
at the door. Dean lesped up. unlocked |
it. and grinned. Billy Jordan entered. |
looking rather mystifed and decidedly Ill |
at ease.
Here" said Dean, drawing some pa
pers from his pocket, ARE some licenses |
for a wedding tomorrow. See IL they are
all right"
They are quite right" said Billy Jor-
dan.
Now, then. this is the day. We've de-
cided to be married here
Billy Jordan looked uneasily at the girl. |
May 1 ask the, lady one or two ques-
tions?' said he.
Mo- thundered Dean.
He stepped to the window and fairly |
Frances out of the chair.
Proceed" he commanded Billy Jordan |
again.
Billy Jordan hesitated.
THE door is locked. believe I'll muir |
der you il you don't" said Dean.
Out came a small. black book. Billy /
Jordan began to read. When 1t came to |
the point where he asked Frances II she |
husband. the girl hesitated.
Say that you do" hissed Dean. glar-
ing down at her.
II do" said Frances in a weak little
voice
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