Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-07-29

sirr
"Goodr' came Forbes crisp COM
ment. He turned briskly to Vain
wright That's the best way out Of
the difficulty, Cortland, by all MEANS"
he advised. Under the circumstances,
now, an asylum would be the very
worst place In the world for him.
Really, Cortland, l couldn't think of
advising It."
Despite Wainwright's efforts Dr.
Forbes refused to commit Andrew, and
he departed, leaving the oddly assert
ed group in the library.
The air of humility now fell from
Andrew as might a garment when he
strobe forward, so that he faced the
others closely.
Ingenious, Mr.. Wainwrightv he
said, with zest. "Oh, it was really
quite ingenious. Its one demerit was
that it proved SO utterly inefficient"
He looked slowly over the others I'm
the room, with the exception of Lu-
Gene, from whom he held his gaze
studiously averted None of the three
criminals who had joined in the futile
revolt against him ventured to meet
his eyes. They sat in nervous dejec-
ton, expectant of condign punishment.
Andrew smiled as he contemplated
them, and the smile BODIED i'll. The
smile grew amusedly cOntemplative as
he regarded Marshall who was scowl-
ing heavily; then of a sudden the Mas
ter Minds face set itself in stern lines.
He spoke with authority.
"Mr. Wainwright will excuse you
now" he said briskly to the detective.
Marshall snorted Indignantly.
I'm under Mr.. Wainwright's orders
and following his instructions. Other
wise the situation would be different"
he growled wrathfully. II guess you
understand that
Andrew did not trouble himself to
reply. 1t was Wainwright who re-
enforced the command.
Andrew then continued.
1T was at this hour of the morning,
Mr. Wainwright" he said, with pro-
found solemnity, that my brother
died-that he was put to death. Well,
sir, the time agreed on between us has
come. What is your choice?"
Wainwright spoke very quietly, firm
ly. yet with sadness that told the
greatness of his sacrifice.
You leave me no choice he said
simply. you have won. / shall re-
tire from public life
To-day, you remember"
Il remember-today.'
Lucene started up.
NO, no" she breathed wildly. She
went swiftly to her husband and
placed her two hands on his shoulders
ana looked down into his face with
her eyes twin flames Of dusky azure,
burning through a mist of tears. ooh,
my dear, you cap't-you can't! No, |
say. you shan't! can't let you do
this dreadful thing-no, no! oh, let
me 90 instead-you must! l can't
spoil your life like this, dear Let me
go-let me gO.'
Wainwright ordered the three crooks
and the detective To leave the room.
In Wainwrights eyes shone unut-
terable love for the beautiful woman
whose heart was 50 torn by anguish
brought upon her through love of him.
At least he must strive to comfort her,
to assuage her grief, since her love re-
manned to him. AS for this other thing,
it was, after all, by comparison, a lit
tie thing. Yet, even as he thought so,
it was with difficulty that he checked
no light thing to tear out by the roots
the honorable ambition of a strong
mans lifetime.
The husbands voice was colorless.
What would be the user he said
sadly. "As to your leaving me, why,
wherever you might go | should fol-
low" The wife buried her face in her
hands and shook with sobbing.
There. therev' he cried soothingly,
distraught by her agony. He stood
up and drew her into his arms, caress-
ing her hair with exquisite tenderness
in the gentle touch of his fingers.
Hush. hush, darling! Don't you
know, Lucene, that | have you, and
so nothing nothing else-matters?"
The scene failed somehow TO give its
evil genius the bliss he had thought
to find in it. This lovers rapture made
a mock of his vengeance. Yet even
as he asserted this TO himself, Andrew
knew in his soul that he lied; that the
venom of his punishment was even
stronger than he had guessed to pol
son the well of his enemy's hopes and
its virulence would increase, not lessen.
Nevertheless there was disappointment
TO him here in the hour of triumph.
He had gained all for which he ha4
striven-yes, all, And something more
the misery of Lucene.
In fury of rage against his own
weakness Andrew thrust the thought
of Lucene from him. His voice broke
gratingly.
your resignation in writing, Mr..
Wainwright, if you please
Wainwright spoke listlessly.
81 will write il in my study at once
and bring it to you here. Come with
me, Lucene."
n.