The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-03-13


for her legitimate prey; but he loved
Henrietta Schuyler and was so de-
voted and open in his preference that
the matrimonial schemers were one
and all discouraged.
But with all his wealth and superior
position, the course Of true love did
not run smooth for Temple Bonner.
The facts would make plot for a
novel. There was yet another young
man among those who came accounting
at the old brownstone mansion, but
one vastly different in many respects
from Bonner. This mans name was
Willard-Max willard"
I've heard the name." muttered Van
Vechten.
1T was an irony Of Fate" pursued
Mr.. Flint, that Bonner and Willard
closest sort of intimacy existed be-
tween them, genuine Damon and
Pythias attachment.
willard lacked about every ad-
vantage possessed by his rival; he
was poor, unattractive in appearance,
and had many peculiar traits which
made enemies where Templer Bonner
won friends. He was regarded as
visionary, crank, man who would
never make his mark. However, he
must have possessed some unusual
quality, because Temple Bonner had
implicit faith in him-believed that he
was a genius of some sort; but 1t was
characteristic Of Willard that he would
accept no assistance from his more
fortunate rival.
Bonner, it would seem, felt his own
position keenly. He realized that his
friend was almost overwhelmingly
handicapped, and as well as can piece
out from what actually happened, he
withdrew temporarily from the field
! and gave Max willard every oppor-
tunity to advance his suit. / suppose
the idea was, that If Willard was sue
cessful, Bonner would abide by the
consequences; II not, then Willard
was to stand aside and give Bonner
his chance. Much Of this is guess
work; 1t is hard to arrive at the truth
at this late day; but certain circum-
stances exist which indicate that what
/ am telling you is what actually hap
pened.
1T would appear from the sequel
that Max Willard had been the favored
one all along. Temple Bonner went
abroad; within two months Willard
and Miss Henrietta had eloped and
were married; within ten minutes aft
err he received news of the runaway
wedding Compton Schuyler had blown
out his brains.
There are the naked facts.
Temple Bonner never returned to
America, and Max Willard, instead of
justifying his friends confidence in
his talents-whateve their bent might
have been-had dropped entirely from
sight. His wife, you tell me, has been
dead a long time; but were there no
children? Is Max Willard still alive,
where Is he, has he any family, what
is his occupation? Those are the
things / want you to find out. fancy
the runaway match, with all it's at
tendant circumstances, created some
thing of stir at the time; some of
your older friends should be able and
willing to supply you with the facts"
ooh, I have no doubt that can
learn all you want to know" agreed
Van Vechten. Most of what you have
Just told me is not exactly news; but
had forgotten lit all happened be-
fore my time, you know. Josephine
is generally regarded by her friends as
q woman who has suffered much, one
deserving pity and sympathy; but
heavens and earth-she Is no martyr
to tribulation; she's the jolliest sort
imaginable. But how will this
help you to solve your murder prob
lem, or-what more nearly concerns
me-flnd some trace of my cousin?"
For some moments Mr.. Flint sat
silent, gazing meditatively through tho
window. Number 1898 dingy front
doomed dingier than ever in the late
afternoon sunshine; but Mr.. Flint had
no eyes for the old house just at pres
ent. After bit he turned to Van
Vechten.
Before answering your question,
Mr.. Van Vechten, / am going to lay
another matter before YOU" said he
gravely; 1T may seem impertinently
personal, but there are occasions when
the ordinary civilities and amenities
must be laid aside and disregarded. l
know that you and Miss Carew are en-
gagged to be married; do not mention
the sentiment that usually accompa-
MES such a conventionality, for per-
haps shall pain you; but isn't there a
possibility that she has become In
terested In another more recent love
AFFAIR.""
Flint" was the prompt response.
you are not trespassing upon my feel
ings In the least. and l am going to be
frank with you. The engagement you
speak Of has always been more or less
of tacit understanding In our family
Paige Is only distant cousin, you
know; but we are clannish set, we
Van Vechtens, and she and have al
ways been awfully fond of each other.
but as for love. That's another
matter. In strictest confidence. Flint.