Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-06-26
VENGEANCE
Nv BURKE JENKINS.

like. l had just been reminded OF my
poverty. And there was still another
reason.
Two weeks thereafter their engage
ment was announced; and, prompt to
the announcement, the wedding oc-
Cured.
l laid my plan, and sailed for Paris
to study.
had located my Office In little
back garden among shrubbery, well
hidden from the Rue de Toigne. 1t
suited my purpose nicely. and the
walls were thick.
True to appointment, he arrived at
$50, From my revolving desk
chair heard the brakes applied and
the car groan it's way to the curb.
Il am in the presence OF Doctor
Froisic?" He used French poorly
enough.
YES" l asselted.
He gave his name, and l bowed.
II suppose that my personal appear
ance tells its own story" he ex-
planned. II, like the rest of the
world, have heard Of your wonderful
cure. desire to place myself under
your treatment"
We'll, sir" said I. adopting busi'
nesslikc tone, I'll begin right away.
Kindly remove your coat"
rose, and, going to the door.
locked it. He manifested no concern.
returned to him as he lay back
awaiting my examination. or sud
den / whipped the glare of the light
upon my own face, and, bending close
over him, I cried:
Now, do you know me?" ..~*
He made to rise, then sank back
with what could have been taken for
q smile.
Guy Whitman"
"Yes-Guy Whitman" I said, 1.-THE
poor medical student at that time
But rich-yes, rich in the love OF a
woman; rich in a love to&which am
bition and a name would have been
quickly added by its own inspiration
You came on the scene. Your inner
tied wealth and your internal knowl-
edge of how to WELD 1t threw the cogs
of my happiness out Of mesh. The
girl was young The glitter told. Her
mother swayed the decision by her
world standards. She married you.
She loved me.
Revenge sank deep in me, and 1t
has been the motive. The profession
had striven years in vain for a weapon
to down tuberculosis. l studied.
Hard? Oh. yes-hard. ! perfected
myself" r.
He sat up and gazed at me IN
something of a quickened interest,
though apparently little moved by my
words. continued: r. 81: 49,.
Then. one day, discovered my
formula. l assumed the name of Doc
tor Froisic, and published my discov'
cry to the world, though kept its
ingredients secret.
"Ive been waiting for you. Here
you are-you, with all your wealth.
Here | have you. in Doctor Froisics
little secluded Office, with the door
locked, to tell you all this. can cure
you of that which my skill tells me
will kill you within year. l alone
can cure you, and
bent to his face.
II won't"
He raised himself to his elbow and
regarded me intently. Then he asked
quietly: "You still love herr"
His change of idea chok>d me q
moment: then l blurted: "Yes!"
Good" he replied; and continued
in an altered tone: 80 it's you to
whom I'm indebted for that glazed
look of introspection in my wifes
eyes these years. The wall Of a
strangled passion lurked in every
word she spoke"
"spoke?" cried. shes dead?"
NO" he answered quietly-"to me,
but not to you. She confessed to me.
I understood, and we planned"
"What?"
mo use to kill two when one can be
| saved. She sailed for New York last
Tuesday on the Zanthia. She's look.
ing for you"
could feel the air pass my teeth
on an in-breath.
interruption startled us In a rap at
the door, quickly followed by a vigor-
Gus pounding bounded for the lock
in the fury Of having my orders thus
>disobeyed.
Jacques stood outside In trembling
disobedience, and beside him stood an
importunate chauffeur.
"A cablegram. SIR" said the begog'
gled one, approaching my patient re.
spectfully. Both servants withdrew.
The quick tear of an envelope was
followed by the crackle Of opening pa
per.
Then he passed 1t to me.
"Stupendous calamity. Steamship
Zanthia sinks in mid-ocean. Every
life lost. Particulars in tomorrows
papers"
We looked at each other while the
little eye of the desk-light cast ita
small radiance on US both.
The gaze held.
Iwent to a cabinet which I had had
fitted to the wall. Unlocking this.
secured a bottle from which l care
fully measured q liquid into glass
graduate.
This passed to him.
1.-THE first dose Of the cure" I ex
planned. .. ...
am no longer = man Of extremes.