The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1914-10-22


reached the top of the stair and leaned
over the balusters. The cabman
glanced at his stern face, then drop
ped the trunk from his shoulder and
steadied it on the edge of a step.
"Stay right where you are" ordered
Wentworth abruptly.
He turned to the woman, who stood
on the stair. She lifted her face and
greeted him with derisive laugh.
will you be good enough. Miss
Paget, to tell me what this intrusion
means?"
The Englishwoman laughed again.
1t was q peculiar laugh, a sweet, shrill
ripple, without ghost of merriment
in it. 1t had thrill as of something
demoniac. She did not answer his
question, but turned to the cabman.
Take that trunk up and set it on
the landing. l can't pass while you
block the stair. Then go down and
wait until call YOU"
The man obeyed. The actress
paused on the top step and looked
down at Jason. "As for you," she
looked at him with sneering smile,
mind your own business now. l have
announced myself to your master"
Wentworth stood with his hand
upon the railing of the stair. His face
was stern and there were hard lines
about his mouth. He held the door
Of the library open.
Come in here" he said. There was
no cordially in his welcome.
The actress brushed past him with
a short, unpleasant laugh. Her man
ner was full OF self-confidence. Went
worth realized that he had never seen
her look more beautiful still his
pulses did not quicken by a beat. She
wore a gown of strangely lurid blue
which few women would have dared
to affect The harmony between the
dead gold Of her hair and a willowy
blue plume that swept down from her
hat was almost startling. Her atti-
tude was aggressive and a certain
sense of power lay behind her the
atrical entrance. Enoch's face settled
into frown, although his eyes were
full of scowling perplexity. He raped
the door shut and turned the key in
the lock.
Now" he demanded sharply, "be
good enough to tell me what this
means"
Aren't you going to ask me to sit
DOWN." The woman spoke with an
enticing smile.
mo. I have no intention of asking
you to stay so long,"
Zilla Paget laughed and sank Ian
guidly into chair beside the fireplace.
Il would suggest that you sit down."
she said suavely.
Enoch shook his head.
You may get tired before l am
through talking. 1t will take some
time to discuss th'- affair"
What AFFAIR."" Wentworth turned
on her with quiet scorn. Don't be
foolish enough to try blackmail. Any
thing like" he paused for q moment
as IL trying to find a suitable word,
like sentiment for instance-or call
It what you wish-died a natural
death one afternoon when l tried to
explain things to you. The minute a
woman lets herself go and shows the
devil in her makeup at white heat.
sentiment can die-die a very sudden
death. Besides, have nothing on my
conscience. l treated you as gener-
ously as any man would have done
under the circumstances"
Miss Paget threw back her head and
laughed. "Sit down." she advised.
This is a different affair entirely.
Do not fatter yourself; there Is not
a ghost of sentiment in this"
Enoch walked to the mantel, leaned
his elbow upon 1t, and stared down
at her. "I'll give you exactly ten min
utes to explain what you want. If 1t
is about your child, am quite as anx-
ious to get him out of my house as
you are"
MY child! will relieve your mind
on that point Immediately. 1t is not
my child 1 want. If your sister wants
to play foster-mother, she is quite
welcome to him. When think of it,"
she began slowly to draw off her
gloves, Miss Wentworth has really
done me a great favor"
"Obnge me then" Enoch's voice was
full Of cold Indifference, "by getting
down to business as quickly as pos
sible You must be gone before my
sister comes in"
Indeed" The actress looked up into
his face with an insolent smile. why
should we hurry? l want to ask you
few questions. understand you are
writing a new play" She turned to
glance at the litter of manuscript on
his desk. rs there a part in it for
me?"
Il have not begun to place parts
yet"
All" She watched him with calm
scrutiny. How Is 1t coming along?
Will it be as big go as 1.-THE House
has been?"
lis it any of your business?"
Probably not; still, am interested
1 have been wondering" she spoke
slowly. as If thinking aloud. eff it can
possibly come up to the expectations
OF the public. A second play is often
such a-rctter."