The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-07-13
sy MABEL HERBERT uRNER.

Helen that afternoon had read
stirring story of marital infidelity in
, magazine that specialized on stories
Of adventure. She believed the mar
rative was true, and with feminine
rredulity. imagined the plot was a
true presentation Of life.
Il believe Warren would like to
have me read him the story when he
returns from the office tonight" she
remarked addressing the cat which
had cuddled up on pillow in the
corner Of the room.
Hardly was dinner over, and War
rem engrossed with the sporting page
of his paper before Helen preached
the subject
"Well, l don't care, II you think it
will interest me, read It," was his only
comment as he turned page.
Helen took up the magazine and
began to read the story:
His name was Robert Marco. and
he was trick shot, SO he called him
self Captain and appeared in a gor-
gecus uniform which set of well his
manly, military figure.
Strange stories were told about
him. 1t was Eaid that he had been
held captive by savages among
whom he had learned to shoot. The
truth was he had joined travelling
Wild West show as porter and had
gradually advanced to his present
prominent position by his rare skill
with the Winchester rifle.
He became one of the surest shots
with the steadiest hand and the great
est nerve, and very soon 1t became
clear to him that he could make more
money travelling alone, SO he left the
Wild West show and travelled all over
the continent.
For many years he had been travel
ling alone now, earning large salaries
and spending very little. He was
rich man with thousands of dollars
invested in stocks and bonds and he
might have retired several years be-
fore with enough money to live on.
but he was not tired yet, though at
times he felt rather lonesome.
"One day returning from the ring
utter performing he discovered in a
box young lady whose appearance
attracted him. He stopped and looked
at her She had a beautiful white
neck, we'll formed shoulders and slen.
der waist and he Immediately knew
that her figure was perfect, but so far
he had been unable to see her face.
AS If she felt his eyes resting on her,
she suddenly turned and looked at
him. There was gentle, almost child
like expression in her eyes, her hair
was very fair and curly. She smiled
at him, revealing row of perfect
teeth and her smile was encouraging
without being bold, and full OF life and
Joy. Captain Marco sat down in the
performers box and never took his
eyes from her. He was not a man to
love easily. but he felt Immediately
that she was the one woman in the
world for him.
THE next day she occupied the same
box. Captain Marco Immediately saw
her when he came in and when he
left he noticed that she gave him a
little friendly nod. His love grew to
the strength of passion within a
week and he determined to find out
who she was. The information he
received was very good, as every
body praised her as a charming girl
with spotless reputation, though a
little inclined toward frivolity.
The captain made up his mind that
this did not matter He felt himself
strong enough to manage her and was
introduced to her. Within three weeks
they were engaged and week later
they were married. The girl, who
had always loved performers, felt
proud and happy of her handsome and
dashing husband, and parted with her
parents without shedding u tear or
exhibiting emotion.
THE couple went straight to Paris
where her husband had an engage
ment, and before they arrived there
she persuaded him to let her appear
with him as his assistant in a fiat
tering costume which gave her a
chance of showing her splendid figure.
Her duty was to hand Captain Marco
bis rifles and to hold glass balls be-
tween her fingers while he shot them
to pieces. She was absolutely fear
less and the thought that he might
hit her never occurred to her. Cap
tain Marco had never missed yet. Ly-
ing on his back, taking aim in a mir
ror, he drove a nail into plank with
his ball, so there was absolutely moth
Ing to risk holding rather large glass
balls. The audience, however, felt
a growing admiration for this courage
Gus woman and applauded her enthus-
iastically as soon as she made her
appearance. Captain Marco was not
far from being jealous of her, for all
the flowers she received and the
rousing welcome that greeted her en-
trance, but he controlled himself. He
realized that her beauty belonged part
ly to the audience, who paid their
money to see her. Before long she
was to belong to him alone.
But gradually the smile, with which
she greeted the audience, changed
character. 1t was no longer polite
smile intended for everybody; it had a
special address and was accompanied
by a glance toward certain box
Captain Marco noticed it and a
dreadful suspicion entered his mind
Could she be frivolous enough to play
with her own happiness and his?
She was a little more cool, little
more Indifferent towards him. She
was too tickle to have any feeling OF
real affection for him. She had fal
len in love with the performer, not the
man, and had felt attracted by the