The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-11-06
HER HUSBANDS
WIDOW
chAPIER KIM.

CHATTER xLW.
Erdsley 8Ttnned knowingly. Il h1p-
pen to know why. that II all But you
need not expect any surprise Of that
sort. You are Mrs. Victor Steele. oil
right, and IT. worth your while e pay
me what ask"
'sWhat are yon asking. BY the way?"
Leslie turned and looked placidiy q
the lake.
~ in advance.
The sum was one that the estate
could stand as Leslie well knew. No
doubt 1t would keep the man quiet for
a year or more. But an instructive
horror Of such . barsain-a loathing
for the man himself-had already de-
termined her to reject his proposals
It was blackmail Of the vilest sort
That Jimmy was entitled to his faith
er's lands she was ~ sure ~ that Sne
was entitled to the hair on her head.
1t was no moral scruple that now de-
tered her from paying this man for
his silence.
It was her pride, her dignity, that
would be outraged by such q deal. Not
she alone, but Jimmy would pass
henceforward completely into this
vile wretch's power. Every year, no
doubt, his demands would increase;
every sovereign she paid him would
be additional proof Of her conspiracy
with him, would strengthen his hold
upon her. All this misery had come
upon her because she had deceived
Oswald, because she had kept from
him the fact of her marriage with
Victor. Better for Jimmy to be rob.
bed OF his fathers lands than to pass
into the power Of this scoundrel.
.Erdsley watched her intently.
well" he said roughly, make up
your mind. Old Galveston 10 expecting
me in London. / must answer him
definitely. one way OF another.
Then suddenly she dropped her
mask Of dignified irony. She stepped
toward him, and with the glove she
had been swinging in her hand struck
him full across the face. !
you cad!" she Kissed. You vile.
blackmailer! Do you think have for
gotten how you insulted me, q de-
fenceless girl, at Hastings-how you
spied on me and informed and had
me turned into the street? Did you
think for one instant that ! would
treat with you? You! And by your
own confession you are betraying the
miserable man who has suborned
YOU" 4
She continued to advance upon him,
hatred blazing in her eyes. her hands
clenched as II to strike him. You
dare to offer terms to me! Hmy boy
and I were ON trial for our lives !
would not pay sixpenceT for your
evidence on our behalf Go now and
tell Captain Steele what you have said
to me. All! l thought that would make
you blanch! reject your terms, do
you hear! Perhaps this Will make you
remember"
Before the man could raise his
hands she had struck him again with
her glove. He stepped back and fell
into the lake. She cried with delight
as he sprawled and struggled to his
feet in the shallow water. She held out
her alpenstock and hooked him by
the collar hauled him ashore He
stumbled on his knees at her feet,
cursing and threatening, spluttering
and mounting.
She held the alpenstock warningly
in the air. II knew you would attack
me but for this" she laughed, but
think you will be wise enough to go
now. Go to your paymaster, Sir Ralph
and report how you tried to underseN
him."
Before the man had coukhed the
weeds out Of his mouth, he heard the
gate of the villa close behind her He
shouted q curse after her and endeav.
ored to shake himself dry. Then he
set off at brisk trot towards Inter.
laken, nearly three miles away. It
was already six. and the last train for
England left at quarter past. He
would return by the first train In the
morning.
Half way between him and the town
a motor car rushed past him going in
the opposite direction. He did not
know that it was Fastening to the vii
la in response to an urgent telephone
call; nor as he crept, bedraggled and
muddy. into his hotel by the back
door. did he dream that Leslie was
her round the lake to Berne to catch
the night express to England.
Meet me tomorrow friday even
ing. Wilton place Most urgent-Les-
lie" So ran the telegram which was
brought UP to Sir Ralph Galveston on
his breakfast tray. It had been handed
in at Berne the night before.
It's effect was somewhat disQuiet.
ing 1t was not likely that Leslie at.
tached such value to his advice as to
summon him SO imperatively; 1t was
still less likely that solicitude for his
needs had prompted her. especially
too, as she had sent him that check
for four hundred only three weeks be
fore. That telegram BODIED Ill. Could
the rumors which Rhedan was SO
boldly circulating through the clubs
have reached her ears? Was she 60
ing to challenge him to clear himself?
Already several men had limited to
him that II he did not take steps to
vindicate himself by an action for
Islander he had better leave the coun- |
try once for all.
Sir Raps Meets
Leslie at Her Home.
From Erdsley he had had no news |
except q picture postcard from Alex
andria. informing him that he was on |
his way home. To his repeated tele.
grams requesting him to report prog |
ress the company promoter had vouch-
safed no response. Sir Ralph cursed |
him every time he thought about him, |
and apostrophised himself in uncom- |
plimentary LANGUAGE for having been