The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-01-07
THE SCHEME
THAT FAILED

y
Laura BIakely read the letter once
more. How strange. she thought,
that Bertha Carlton should invite me
70 her house party at Christmas. /
always thought that she hated me BE:
cause that odious husband OF he's
proposed to me before he aid; 10 her.
Goodness knows that I long for the
lnxuries OF life bad enough but i
Would rather teach music ali myslife
Athani marry such q decrepit old dirt
81 Ralph Carlton"
Ih!another part { 1.-the city a young
mani was sitting at his easel, adding
the last few touches to a beautiful
pastoral scene that he had been WORK.
ling upon for many days. James LIND:
sey;; 50 the critics said, was certainly
a fine artist, his coloring was good
EandNhe portrayed an excellent likeness
81 nature: nevertheless, his pictures
did not sell readily. AS. he sat ssaz:
,ing, lovingly at the painting, a Knock
sounded at the door.
Come in" he said. without looking
up.
"a letter for you Mr.. Lindsey
said Katie hurry. the landladys
daughter.
"Thank you, Katie. and taking the
letter he felt the blood surge hotly
to his face as he recognized the hand:
writing. From Bertha Winslow or
rather Mrs. Ralph Carlton. and as
the letter lay unopened before him.
his thoughts few back to the time
when he was madly infatuated with
the beautiful face Of Bertha Winslow,
and after living In a FOOLS paradise
for a year she had told him that she
could never marry a poor man. hut
was going to be Ralph Cartons wife:
ifNYoald he ,eyersforget that night when
she chung to him and told him that3
she.5 &opldta1ways love him although
she did marry another man. How be
had ttnngI her from him and The toTf:
rent Of bitter words he had poured
forth sas ehep told her how she had
wrecked his life, and then he left
her.
Now after FIVE years she was writ;
Ing to him. Well, he might as well
open the, letter. An invitation to a
house party at Christmas; James
Lindsey laughed, a harsh, mirthless
laugh. How very amusing!" he
thought. Well. he would go and see
II Bertha Carlton was happy with
her rich husband.
1t was evening and the ballroom
in the Carlton mansion was all ablaze
with lights. Bertha Carlton, the beau:
tiful hostess, stood for a moment be.
hind q bank Of potted shrubs and
gazed out at the merry dancers. She
smiled wickedly as she saw Laura
Blakely dancing for the fourth time
with James Lindsey. They certainly
were a handsome couple, and more
than one pair OF eyes gazed ~enviously
at Laura's beautiful face as she went
eircling down the hall, keeping per.
feet time to the superb music. They
are happy now" thought Bertha Carl,
ton, but It won't be for long" and
she laughed softly TO herself as she
remembered Laura's look OF glad sur
prise when she had told. her. that the
handsome artist she admired SO much
was very wealthy. How warmly
James had pressed her hand when
she had told him that the rich Miss
Blakely was interested In him. Was
it possible that he had forgotten the
cruel taunts he had hurled at her on
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS night. All,
well, she would refresh his memory.
1t was New Years evening and
James Lindsey, finding Laura alone
In the. conservatory. had poured forth
the story Of his love for her. Laura
In the close embrace of his arms had
murmured that she loved him, too,
Although they had only known each.
other for short time they both felt
.as. IL they had been travelling along
iife's highway together for years!
Suddenly Laura said, a. have a con,
fession to make, James; when Bertha
told me that you were wealthy Unjust
admit that your money tempted ms
before I began TO love you, dear"
James Lindsey's face had turned
deadly pale while laura was talking.
Il see 1t all now heSsaid. And then
he. told her Of his former friendship
with Bertha, and that this was
| Bertha'S revenge. that zach should ha.
lieve the other wealthy until after
they were married.
But, dearest" he. said, II love you
and Il. you will marry me ] know
that with you as an incentive ! shall
succeed. What is It to be-" he asked,
looking longingly into her lovely face.
1T is to be yes" said Laura,
roguishly, III only to outwit Bertha.."
Mrs. Lillian Emily Carbin.