Gilpin observer., 1914-01-29

couldn't quite bring myself to pay on
my own debts by spelling another
woman's life. guess I'd be failure
at politics." she ended with little
laugh Of self-disgust. That's all.
Good-by."
And So" said Grzce slowly. you
came to me-just to help me? You
didn't think for an instant that, out
of gratitude. might help you?"
Help me? How?"
by making 1t easy for you to carry
out your idea of marrying my brother?
Perhaps by using this scandal story as
a threat to force me into helping you?"
Wanda looked at her for full half
minute in blank silence. Then, turn
ing to the door, she said:
Il guess was fool to butt in"
"One 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 a way
to defend yourself without insulting
me. Let that go. You want to know
how l found out? I'll tell you. Early
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. M1.
Standish's first thought was to warn
the Woman. Just as Blake had known
| 1t would be. He called up your house
in New York"
What of that? 1 was not at home
this evening. l was on my way here
| to"
But Mr.. Standish didn't know that"
And" pursued Grace fiercely. lust
because Mr.. Standish CHANGED to call
up my husbands New York home.
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 OF
all calls is forwarded every evening
to central and"
That proves nothing!" declared
Grace. Nothing at ALL oh, it's pret-
ty trick you're playing, Miss Kelly. A
very pretty trick. But it will fail. You
build it all on the statement that some
one called up the house of Governor
Robertson. Fifty people call up our
house every day. And on the strength
of that, his wife is to be involved in a
story of low intrigue-Oh. it's out
rageous!"
viii Mr.. Standish explain to your
husband why he called you up?"
He didn't call me up. Mr.. Standish
could have had nothing to say to me-.
He'll deny every charge you make.
And my word will be believed ahead OF
blackmailing phone girls. l need
simply say you tried to gain my help
by means of threats to"
You need simply say it? Will you
swear to it?" 4
"Yes!" flashed Grace. "If the need
arises. woman's reputation isn't de-
stroyed so easily as you seem to think,
Miss Kelly"
And the country hotel proprietor"
asked Wanda Il forgot to say they've
sent for him. He can identify the
Woman who was registered as Mrs.
Fowler He"
do you suppose, for one moment" "
said Grace, white to the lips. that my
husband would subject me to the in
dignity of being looked over like a
common criminal? need only tell
the truth-deny the whole malicious
lie-and-"
Obi" broke In Wanda, with reluct-
ant admiration. you're brave. Mrs.
Robertson! AS brave as they make
them. You're putting up glorious
fight. And l can't help liking you for
it. Because know-behind the brave
front-you're sick with fear"
You think"
'I know 1t. And-believe me or not
you've got me sized up all wrong.
I'm not going to marry your broth
er. But | don't want to see his sister
get into this mess. Why don't yov
trust me?"
Really"
CTO BE CONTINUED)