Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-10-23
CHAPTER XIII.
The PARTING of the WAYS.

"All l have left to say, Wentworth,
is this-we have come to a crossroad
and you must choose between two
paths: either cut that woman out of
your life or don't expect to take your
place among decent citizens"
There was a look of discomfort and
anxiety in Grant Oswald's pale, high
bred face while he spoke, although
his voice was emphatic. Enoch did
not answer. He moved ~restlessly in
his chair once or twice, lifted a pro-
gram hat lay on his desk, and ran
his eyes through its pages. Oswald
paused as if waiting for a reply.
Il can't understand your ~infatuation,
Wentworth" he wen on; the woman
d~egenerates every day of her life.
God knows" a bitter one crept into
his voice, Il feel culpable for even
bringing her across the ocean. Then
| ought to have let her go when |
spoke of it a month or two ago. She
al bound to do mischief, only never
dreamed that you would fall into her
clutches. / warned you"
Enoch sat in sullen stiffness. with
his eyes fixed on a calendar which
hung above the desk.
Il WISH" Oswald's tone was almost
wistful, that you would at least talk
it over. l think ] can deal with the
woman if anyone can. have always
treated her with a certain stand-ofish-
ness that she resents. She has tried,
more than once, to cross the line
drew. She didn't succeed, and it gals
her. / never put into words what !
think of her. She understands, how
ever, hat l recognize her value dra-
m~atically. while personally-to me
she is offensive. If she has you in
her power, won't you tell me? Ii
would never go beyond these walls.
She knows that l know her story. Low
as she has sunk, she realizes that il
is not what the world would call q
easily"
A CLEAN of relief and hope drifted
for a moment across Wentworth's
face. Then he laughed n%ervously anc
the sullen frown returned to his eyes
He rose and began to pace the ofice
floor with nervous footsteps.
Wont you trust me?" pleaded Os
valid. Il nave a real regard, Went
worth, for you as well as for YOU
genius. 1 would do it for your sis
ter, if for no other reason. There i!
time enough yet to pull away. but,
he spoke abruptly, cit won't be long
The woman has dragged more thai
one man to the gutter or to-suicide.
Wentworth laughed d~isagreeably
We'll, it won't be suicide" he an
swered harshly.
Don't be too sure. When a mai
who has always had a fair amount o
self-respect begins to lose it, he usu
unless he has a solid anchor in hi
home"
Enoch lit a cigar and began t.
smoke.
Evidently it is useless to tall
What passes my understanding is ho,
your sister to give shelter to Zill
Paget. I hate to say it, Wentworth
you will set me down as a cad, but
prefer to have a separate office. l al
willing to take the little back room
or you can. One suits me as well a
the other"
Certainly" Wentworth leaped t
his feet alertly. III change at onct
I'd hate to thrust my society upo
anyone who does not care for it."
ut is not your society l mean who
ly. l object to Miss Paget droppin
in here as she did today. Don't hurr,
l did not mean that"
Il don't car what you meant. l ca
make the change at once" Enoch'
voice was churlish. He began to dra
volumes from the bookcase beside hi1
and heap them upon the top of hi
desk. You made yourself tolerabl
| plain, don't spoil it with politeness."