Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1914-07-02

called" wentworth's voice was impa
TENT and q frown chased across hil
iacA ''0swald's been asking for II this
morning. When 4 quiet fellow Like
him makes up his mind to have q
thing. he's apt TO be confoundedly In
sistent-"
Then you want III"
Certainly"
II sat up until daylight 10 write thlA
It's an improvement on the other act:
l can nee that myself. Oswald will tell
you. ! think. that II carries out hil
ideas exactly. Before hand II over |
want to make q decker with you"
Wentworth stared at him blankly
"A dickerf" he repeated Els n
money!"
Money" Andrews face grew harsh
with scorn.
What Is II then?"
Il was dining last night at Colgas-
Ei'G. +"
Wentworth's face grew suddenly
scarlet, then Il whitened.
Z saw you there" Merry's voice
was relentless. II don't know q blessed
thing about the Paget woman, for or
against her. ! do know this, though:
every man who has lived among good
women knows she 10 not At company
for-your sister for instance"
Who said she was?" snarled Went
worth. II had not thought Of throw.
ing her into my sisters society. Dorcas
would not have to tolerate even pass
ing acquaintance with her behind the
scenes II l had my way"
She is not At to be seen with q de-
cent man."
You give me the credit then OF be-
ing--a decent MANI" sneered Enoch.
ITO q certain limit do"
well, what do you want?" Went
worth turned an apprehensive glance
upon him. -
Il want you to promise. before l
turn over this manuscript, that you
will have nothing to do with Zilla
Paget except in a business way"
why. are you interested In her
YOURSELF"
my God, Enoch!" Andrew stuffed
the roll OF paper in his pocket and
Jumped to his feet.
Here, sit down. I want this affair
Strengthened out-now."
Merry did not answer. He walked
across the ONCE and stood beside q
table where litter Of photographs lay.
He picked one up carelessly and
glanced at It. II was an exquisite por.
trait OF Dorcas. Her eyes gazed into
his with a Straightforward look which
was characteristic of the girl.
"Will you tell me-" there was stern
demand in Wentworth's voice. will
you explain why you are so concerned
about my morals?"
II don't care a damn about your
morals" answered Merry contemptu-
ously. II was thinking about your sis
ter. I am still fool enough to believe
that you have some decency left. !
will hand over this act. rewritten as
you want It. when you promise to have
nothing to do with Zilla Paget"
When Merry stopped speaking he
took a seat opposite Enoch and waited
for q reply.
A visiting card lay on the table.
Wentworth picked It up and tore It
into halves. He sat tearing and re-
tearing II in perfect silence. When It
was reduced to fragments. he gathered
them into the hollow Of his hand and
dropped them in the waste basket:
then he looked across at Merry.
THAT was Miss Paget's card" he
said harshly. I'm through with her"
Merry took the manuscript from his
pocket. laid II on the table before
Enoch, and walked out
A few minutes later Enoch opened
the door which led into the box ONCE,
A young man sat beside the window.
"Dingley." he said. Il have locked
the outside door. Don't let q soul in
on me. can't see Mr.. Oswald even.
Tell him I am busy. writing"
Wentworth locked the door Of the
once, sat down In his big chair. and
picked up the manuscript. He read It
slipped a blank sheet Of paper
into q typewriter. and began to copy
Il with slow dellberation. When It was
he read each typed page care
fully. He tackled them together and
rose to his feet. He began to search
the once rapidly with his eyes. then
he turned to q wash-bowl in the corner
He crushed into loose bunch each Of
the sheets which held Merry's writ.
ing and touched the paper with q
match. It leaped into red blaze. He
watched It carefully. poking the sheets
over with paper knife until each one
fell away into 4 shivering black ash.
When every spark had died he turned
on q faucet, and the light ashes were
swept down the waste pipe. He
rubbed q speck Of CRIME from his
hands and opened the box once door.
Oswald sat on Q high stool beside the
window.