The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-11-05
CHAPTER XIII.
The PARTING of the Ways.

is this-we have come to 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 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 that lay on his desk, and ran
his eyes through its pages. Oswald
paused as il waiting for a reply.
Il can't understand your infatuation.
Wentworth" he went on; "the woman
degenerates every day Of her life.
God knows" bitter tone crept into
his voice, II feel culpable for even
bringing her across the ocean. Then
l ought to have let her go when l
spoke of it month or two ago. She
was bound to do mischief, only never
dreamed that you would fall into her
clutches. / warned you
Enoch sat in sullen stiffness, with
hung above the desk.
Il WISH" Oswald's tone was almost
wistful, that you would at least talk
1t over. / think / can deal with the
woman if anyone can. / have always
treated her with a certain stand-offish-
ness that she resents. She has tried,
more than once, to cross the line l
drew. She didn't succeed, and it gals
her. / never put into words what
think of her. She understands, how
ever, that l recognize her value dra-
matically, while personally-to me
she is offensive. If she has you in
her power, won't you tell me? 1t
would never go beyond these walls.
She knows that know her story Low
as she has sunk, she realizes that it
is not what the world would call
creditable story. / can handle her
easily"
A CLEAN Of relief and hope drifted
for a moment across Wentworth's
face. Then he laughed nervously and
the sullen frown returned to his eyes.
He rose and began to pace the Office
floor with nervous footsteps.
Wont you trust me?" pleaded o.
valid. 81 have real regard, Went
worth, for you as well as for your
genius. ] would do 1t for your sis
ter, If for no other reason. There is
time enough yet to pull away, but"
he spoke abruptly, ut won't be long.
The woman has dragged more than
one man to the gutter or to-suicide."
Wentworth laughed disagreeably.
We'll, it won't be suicide" he an
swered harshly.
Don't be too sure. When a man
who has always lad fair amount of
self-respect begins to lose it, he usu-
ally faces two alternatives; that is,
unless he has solid anchor in his
home"
Enoch lit cigar and began to
smoke.
Evidently it Is useless to talk
What passes my understanding is how
any man can turn out woman like
your sister to give shelter to Zilla
Paget. / hate to say 1t, Wentworth,
i
prefer to have a separate Office I am
willing to take the little back room.
or you can. One suits me as well as
the other"
Certainly" Wentworth leaped to
his feet alertly. "Pk change at once.
I'd hate to thrust my society upon
anyone who does not care for it."
1T is not your society l mean Who'll
ly. / object to Miss Paget dropping
in here as she did today. Don't hurry,
I did not mean that"
II don't care what you meant. l can
make the change at once" Enoch's
voice was churlish. He began to drag
volumes from the bookcase beside him
and heap them upon the top of his
desk. you made yourself tolerabiy
plain. don't spoil II with politenass."