The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-01-09

ious to get him out Of my house -
you are"
MY child. Will relieve your mind
On that point Immediately. II 10 not
my child want II your sister wants
to play foster-mother. she is quite
welcome to him. When I think Of II, I"
she began slowly to draw on her
gloves. Miss Wentworth has really
done me . great favor"
"Oblige 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
q few questions. / understand you are
writing a new play" She turned to
glance at the litter of manuscript on
his desk Is there a part in 1t for
me!"
Il have not begun to place parts
yet"
All" She watched him with calm
scrutiny How is 1t coming along!
VIII II be AS big a go as The House
has been?"
rs 1t any OF your business"
Probably not; still. am interested.
have been wondering" she spoke
slowly, as II thinking aloud. IF 1t can
possibly come up to the expectations
of the public. A second play is often
such a-rotter"
What in thunder are you driving
att" asked Enoch fiercely.
She sprang to her feet and faced
him. There was a malevolent sneer
in her face.
My opinion is that anything you
could do would be a rotter."
Why"
Zilla Paget drew one hand from her
maff and pulled out a few sheets OF
crumpled paper. She laid them on
the table. smoothing them carefully
with the blank side up. Suddenly she
turned them over and placed both her
hands firmly on the paper.
Enoch took a few steps forward and
peered down through his glasses. His
gait grew unsteady and his fingers
gripped at the edge of the table. A
purplish flush swept over his cheeks.
then he became CHASTITY pale. His very
lips grew white. There were gray
hollows about his eyes like the shad-
ows which creep into a face after
death. His mouth moved. but he did
not utter a word, because his tongue
touched dry lips.
Il knew you would understand"
murmured the woman.
Wentworth's hands sprang at her
wrists like the grip Of a wild beast
snatching at it's prey.
Don't" entreated the actress. You
hurt terribly. You do not know how
strong you are. Besides-you are fool
ish, horribly foolish. II you should
tear this, it is nothing but Exhibit A.
There are hundreds of sheets where
it came from. And let me tell you
they are where you won't find them.
Wentworth unclasped her wrists.
but his eyes were blazing with muir
derous fury He turned with quick
gesture to the wall behind him.
Against a rug Of Oriental mating
hung a collection OF savage weapons.
The woman watched him with cool
unconcern. He seemed to be search
ing rapidly with his eyes for some
thing. He laid his hand upon q long
thin dagger. Here and there its blade
had rusted to blackness. but its edge
was deadly keen. He jabbed the point
OF it into his blotting pad. 1t curled
over lithely, as a Ferrara does. Then
he glanced at the woman beside the
table. His eyes were glittering with
the bloodthirsty passions of the primi-
tive man.
Zilla Paget lifted a lorgnette which
hung at her wrist by 1eweled chain.
She clicked it open, raised it to her
eyes-and laughed.
Il wonder" she murmured. III you
realize how ridiculous you look You
are too white-livered to do such
thing as that Besides" she glanced
about the sunlit room, where could
you hide the body!"
Enoch tossed the blade upon his
desk and began to walk up and down
the floor He rolled his handkerchief
into hard ball and dabbed with II
continuall,- at his moist forehead. The
woman sat perfectly still. She turned
to fold the sheets of paper, then she
laid one hand upon them and lay back
gracefully in her chair.
Wentworth turned on her with =
sudden question. How much do you
want for-Exhibit A and the rest Of
the evidence?"
She shrugged her shoulders. Il have
no intention of selling It..
Then what's your price!" Enoch's
question snapped like pistol shot.
She looked up at him with q do
rfsivs smile.
My price 10 ridiculously small,
much less than 1t ID worth. l Am
merely coming hereto live"
You are coming hereto live!