Gilpin observer., 1916-11-23

We're she more experienced in the
ways Of the world she would have
understood the real cause of Marion
Miller's annoyance. Beatrice was
| young, sylphlike, and unconsciously
attractive, Marion was already full
blown rose whose petals were in dam
ger Of dropping, and Arthur Hard
wicke, in the brief half-hours he al
lowed himself from an unflagging at
tendence on his doomed wife. had
shown marked Partially for the so
ciety Of that lively chatterbox, Be-
atrice Tourneur. What more need be
said? Marion hated the girl and would
have welcomed anything which re-
moved from her path rival whom
she deemed all the more dangerous
because of the artlessness Of her ri.
valry.
| But Beatrice was just as much a
daughter of Eve as the other woman.
The very next time she saw Hard
wicke and Miss Miller chatting on the
lawn of the hotel she did not scruple
to signal the man with an inviting
glance as she passed, with the certain
result that he quilted Marion abruptly,
being only too glad of Beatrice's COM
partnership.
The incident was seen by many eyes,
and correctly interpreted by at least
one Of the residents in the hotel. Doc
tor Merriam, concealing a cynical smile
behind a cloud Of cigarette smoke, gave
the angry woman a little time to re-
cover her self-control before he
strolled up.
"Good-day," he said cheerily.
Charming weather we're having,
aren't WEI"
"Oh, quiter" came the curt answer.
Miss Miller did not like Doctor Mer-
riam, and was in no mood to conceal
her feelings at that moment.
"Sad thing about Mrs. Hardwicke,"
he persisted, land the position is par
ticularly hard for her husband, who is
really q delightful fellow and worthy
Of a better fate"
The woman wheeled around on him
as though his words had aroused her
interest.
"Is Mrs. Hardwicke very Ill, then3"
she asked.
"'nP isn't the word. She's fated.
In a week or two Hardwicke will be
absolutely compelled to send her to
a sanatorium, where she will linger
for a few months. until death sends
n merciful release"
Are you sureT demanded Marion
flercely.
"Why otherwise should I tell you
such a thing" said the doctor slowly.
"Now look here, Miss Miller, 1t is
part Of my business to keep my eyes
open. You help me In this matter and
I'll help YOU"
A sordid plot was entered into that
afternoon, and Its development was
not long delayed. Doctor lIerriam's
prophecy was borne out within a week
by the stricken Mrs. Hardwicke, be-
cause her mental condition bacame so
bad that 1t was impossible to keep her
in the hotel. The doctor persuaded
Arthur Hardwicke to leave alt the ar
engagements In his hands and remain
quietly ut Lakeside, regaining bis own
vitality, while his wife was taken care
Of by others.
| The distressed man agreed. As a
consequence he found the society of
Beatrice Tourneur more and mo.e con-
genial, and Doctor Merriam Lad to
bend his wits to the task of persuading
Marion Miller that she must keep with
| in bounds.
In this world n too often happens
that the way Of evil il raade easy by
circumstances. One day. when Hard
wicka UaS sOuawhot rarOvara1 brow,
the shock of the knowledge that his
wife's death under most distressing
conditions could be only matte. of
month or two he met Beatrice by the
side of the lake. In the distance, some
four miles away, a large island doomed
through the haze. 1t was rocky
place, little wooded, and providing no
pasturage, SO no one lived there.
But II offered excellent facilities for
fishing, and the hotel had built hut,
with rough provision-in the shape of
stored food, hunks and materials for
fire-for parties who might wish to
spend the night.
Somehow, the chance conjunction
of n charming girl, boat, and an OBJ
jective In the hard physical exercise
of rowing to and from the island, APP
pealed to Hardwicke.
The weather was fine when they
| started They were so engrossed in
each cAier's conversation that they
paid li.:le heed to bank of heavy
black clouds gathering over the dis
tant hills. A summer storm came up
swiftly and broke in fury when the
| boat waS about half Il mile from the
island. The comparatively shallow
waters of the lake were soon dashed
into turbulent and dangerous state.
The boat was caught In n current and
crashed against n rock. It was stove
In, and filed instantly.
But the man was a first-rate SWIM