The Elbert County tribune., 1915-01-29
CHAPTER xxIII.
The PARTING Of the way..

ID lhiS we nave COME 10 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 Oswalds 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 II waiting for a reply.
Il cant understand your infatuation,
Wentworth" he went on; the woman
degenerates every day of her life
God knows" bitter tone crept into
his voice. Il feel culpable for even
bringing her across the ocean Then
/ ought to have let her go when
spoke of 1t a month or two ago. She
was bound to do mischief, only i never
dreamed that you would fall into her
clutches. l warned you"
Enoch sat in sullen stiffness, with
his eyes fixed on a calendar which
hung above the desk
Il wish,' Oswalds tone was almost
wistful. that you would at least talk
1t over. ! think ! can deal with the
woman II anyone can. / have always
treated her with certain stand-offish
ness that she resents. She has tried.
more than once. to cross the line
drew. She didn't succeed, and II gals
her i never put into words what
think of her. She understands. how
ever, that l recognize her value dra-
matically, while s,ersonally-to me
she is offensive. II she has you in
her power. won't you tell me7 1t
would never go beyond these walls.
She knows that know her story. Low
as she has sunk, she realizes that 1t
is not what the world would call =
creditable story. l can handle her
easily"
A gleam of relief and hope drifted
for q moment across Wentworth's
hce. 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 Os-
wald. Il have real regard, Went
worth, for you as well as for your
genius. l would do 1t for your sis
ter. II for no other reason. There is
time enough yet to pull away. but,"
he spoke abruptly, "it 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 man
who has always had 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 a cigar and began to
smoke.
What passes my understanding is how
any man can turn out woman like
your sister to give shelter to ZiIla
Paget. / hate to say it. Wentworth, b,
you will set me down as a cad, but /
prefer to have separate office. l 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. I'll change at once.
I'd hate to thrust my society upon
anyone who does not care for it,
1T is not your society mean who'll
ly. l object to Miss Paget dropping
in here as she did today. Don't hurry,
did not mean that"
Il don't care what you meant 1 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 toierably
plain, don't spoil it with politeness."
He pulled the papers from pigeon
holes in his desk and tossed them
about in loose piles, dropping some
in the waste basket and bundling 9th
ers together with rubber bands.
Oswald's pen was travelling slowly
across sheet of paper when some
one tapped softly at the door. Merry
entered. Enoch did not turn his head.
The actor seated himself beside Os-
waIds desk.
Il could not show up this morning
when you 'phoned." he explained. Il
have been arranging for funeral.
It's one of those funerals which have
no great string of carriages"
who's dead?"
George volk-'
Oswald laid down his pen and stared
at Merry. George Volk, When did
he drift back to American