The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-10-24

"I want you to be to me what you
have been to Truitt."
And Tiff refuses"
Il have never yet told that l caught
Truitt and a sun-browned woman alone
in an Ottawa hotel under circum-
stances-I have no reason to love him.
I have refrained from telling only for
YOUR sake. why do you force me
to say this! I have no wish to be
brutal to you Seeing you has turned my
head. But you will not-surely you
can not refuse"
She dropped back into a chair. COW
ering her face with her hands. When
she looked up, she wore again the
strange rapt expression.
You said" she whispered chok'
inely. you said-you would pay"
Yes, yes!" he cried eagerly.
You are trying to rob Mark Truitt
to force him out OF the company
Will you-give that up?" Still in the
same broken whisper.
Even that. You are worth every
thing"
And will you give me time-to send
him away-and never let him know"
1T is for you to make conditions
All. my dear"
In triumph Quinby stepped toward
her and bent over to take her hand
Don't do that" said voice behind
him.
Quinby whirled. For a long silent
minute the trio faced one another.
Then Mark, white of face, hands
working convulsively. went slowly to
the stupefied Quinby. who seemed
turned to stone. He did not resist
even when Marks hand leaped W
and caught him cruelty by the throat
He was pressed back until his back
met the wall The grip frightened
Quinby's face grew purple. He
squirmed and tried to cry out. but only
a hoarse gurgle resulted.
KaZia came to herself. She sprang
to her feet and caught Marks arm
breaking his grip.
Don't hurt him. He's not worth
it."
Gently. without taking his eyes from
Quinby, Mark freed his arm from hel
| clasp. But he did not touch Quinby
again. The first murderous impulse
died. He turned contemptuously away
from him.
Ouinby, released from the cruel hand
and eyes. started across the room
Mark whirled upon him once more.
stop"
Quinby stopped. This" he sale
weakly, rs a trap"
set by yourself" Mark turned t
Kazia with helpless mirthless laugh
What is my cue? Shall kick hin
down stairs-or spring his dirty trap?'
Let him co.. she answered list
lessly.
Mark shook his head. mot withou
paying. He said" grimly. he wa
willing to pay"
I'm not afraid Of you." Quinby NUT
tered a feeble defiance. What cal
you say Of me that isn't true of you?
"Ah!" Mark drew sharp whistlinl
breath. Quinby shrank back, his hand
going protectively to his aching throat
Now you shall pay. You" He brok
of with a gesture Of disgust. Il fin,
I've no stomach for blackmail jus
now. I'll telephone Henley to com
over. He'll know how to handle thi
situation"
Then Quinby was indeed fear-struck
He clutched Marks arm tightly. Don
tell him!" he quavered. I'VE can SET
tie this ourselves. l didn't really In
tend to force you out Of the company
only to-to brighten you little"
Mark jerked his arm free. $50 your
coward as we'll as a fraud! But
knew that before. This is too sicl
ening. You'd better CO."
Quinby started again to go.
| "Wait!"
Quinby waited.
You seem to be afraid OF Henley
You have reason. Tomorrow at ter
thirty you have an engagement to NEE
him at his office-I have just made
for both Of you. At eleven will NEE
him. You know best what Henley 1
his present mood will do IL he get
wind Of your latest adventure in phi
lanthropy. Now 60"
Quinby went. The next mornin,
prompt on the hour. he kept his Ell
gagement with Henley.
A weakness for epigrams has d,
feated more than one fair projec
After a discreet interval-long enough
as he thought. for the interment {
the dead past-Jeremiah Quinb
sought to revive the paleontologic,
| / m MiIF|S'T :