Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-04
Are you sure?. demanded Marion

Are you sure?' demanded Marion
1ercely.
Why otherwise should tell You
such thing?" said the doctor slowly.
Now look here. Miss Miller il is part
You help me in this matter and I'll
help You"
What In the world arc you talking
ABOUT was the frigid demand. though
the woman's nne eyes narrowed in
quiringly and her lips frightened.
III you're going to speak to me in
that fashion. I'll not utter another
syllable said DR.. Merriam. calmly
blowing rings of smoke in the still air.
But. surely. you ought to explain
yourself?"
80 I Will. Don't let US stand here
talking like two characters in e photo
drama. Come for a little walk Be
reasonable. Don't blum, and I'll help
You lot But you must really be
quite nice to me, dear lady"
sordid plot was entered into that
afternoon. and It's development was not
long delayed. DR.. Merriam's prophecy
was borne out within a week by the
stricken Mrs. Hardwicke. because her
mental condition became so bad that it
WAS impossible to keep her in the hotel
The doctor persuaded Arthur Hard
wicke TO leave all the arrangements
In his hands and remain quietly at
Lakeside. regainng his own vitality,
while his wife was taken care of by
others.
The distressed man agreed. AS n
consequence. he found the society Of
Beatrice Tourneur more and more con-
genial and DR. Merriam had to bend
his wits to the task of persuading
Marion Miller that she must keen
within hounds She had already
formed some wild project OF appealing
TO Beatrice's father and mother. and
her evil counselor well knew that any
stupid act OF the sort would simply
put her out OF court entirely with
Hardwickc.
In this world it too often happens
that the way OF evil Is made easy By
circumstances. One day, when Hard
wicke was somewhat recovered from
the shock Of the knowledge that his
wife's death under most distressing
conditions could he only matter of n
month or two, he met Beatrice by the
side OF the lake. In the distance. some
four miles away, large island doomed
through the haze. 1t was rocky
place. little wooded. and providing no
pasturage. so no one lived there.
But 1t offered excellent facilities for
fishing. and the hotel had built n hut
with rough provision--In the shane OF
stored food. hunks and materials for n
hre--for parties who might Wish to
SPEND the night
Somehow, the chance conjunction of
charming girl, boat and an obtec-
tive In the hard physical exercise NJ
rowing to and from the island appealed
to liardwickc. He invited Beatrice to
come with him. and she agreed in :
stantly, since where is the pretty
woman who does not know that sbo
looks her best lolling on the cushions
In the stern sheets Of boat and shad-
Ing her complexion underneath the art
full canopy of pink parasol?
The weather was fine when thew
started. They were so engrossed In
each others conversation that thew
paid little heed to a bank of heavy
black clouds gathering over the distant
hills. a summer storm came up
swiftly and broke in fury when the
boat was about half a mile from the
island. The comparatively shallow
waters Of tho lake were soon dashed
into turbulent and dangerous state
and 1t needed all OF Hardwicke's skill
and every ounce iof his strength to keep