Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-01-04

thing can to keep the matter out of
court. If your bosom friend does not
shrink from publicity do. There is
no need for the lady to expose her lac
Grated feelings to lawyer. Let her
tell you what is the damage done, and
will pay"
Could this be my brother Ralph,
whom had always regarded the soul of
honor? My establishment was as great
Us at learning that Kate Devereaux,
who, it had appeared to me, possessed
the soul of true woman, should make
money demand as compensation for
having been trifled with. But Kate
had justice as motive. Ralph so far
as could see had no ground whatever
to stand on.
ralph" / said, this is the most aw-
full thing that has ever happened to
me. What can I do to stop it?"
What can you,do, ?"-Puss was
his pet name for me-"you can get
your friends terms 1 will pay and
that will end the matter
'But are you content to remain in
jure you. Kate showed me your let
ters, they are full of ardent love-
"She will not show them to any one
else"
"How do you know?'
Because she is not that kind of a
girl
This gave me ray of hope. Ralph
thus far had spoken no word of blame
for Kate, and it was evident that he
respected her. And his letters to her
showed plainly that he had loved her.
What brought about your change of
feeling for herr" l asked.
"That would be telling. l am quite
willing that you should pick out wife
for me but after bringing about a COM
plication I am not willing to be cate
chised by you as to my action or my
feelings in the matter. But for any
wrongdoing, am willing to pay"
There was much more talk upon the
got no more out Of him than l have
given here. There seemed nothing else
for me to do but see Kate again and
endeavOr to placate her in some way
and persuade her that it was not her
duty to take the drastic measure she
intended. She lived not more than
fifty miles from me, and I left Ralph
to take my car and run over for an
other conference.
She received me apparently with no
great concern. She did not act like a
woman whose heart had been broken
or one who desired revenge. AS to
making money out of my brother. l
knew that was absurd. I attributed
her action merely to principle, to con
scientious motives, the protection of
her sex against unjust treatment from
man. Since had come back to her so
soon, she evidently expected that had
something to tell her, and she waited
Chatting upon unimportant matters
| for me to do so.
Kate said, 81 have had long
I talk with Ralph and have received nc
1 explanation of his treatment of YOU
| The only thing can get out of him is
/ that he is ready to pay any reasonable
amount within his capabilities that you
may name. But / cannot conceive Of
| your accepting money consideration
for such an injury
Il can give the amount to charity
| said Kate, it seemed to me rather Sc
verely.
! "Are you sure,' / said, that there is
nothing vindictive in your action?"
Nothing of the kind. l simply wish
to teach one man that he cannot treat
one woman with impunity. What 9th
/ er women do under similar circum-
stances is their affair. not mine
We'll then, suppose nothing re
mains but for you to name the sun
! you claim and for me to name the
amount to Ralph"
Kate made no reply to this at once
| but at last said
II think the matter can be settled
between the principals better thar
through third party"
| caught at this at once and asked il
| L should say to Ralph that she would
| consent to conference with him. She
consented to this with apparent reluc
lance. 1T occurred to me that l coulC
as we'll communicate this over the tel
! ephone and going to the instrument.
called Ralph.
Kate thinks that it would be hes;
for her to give you her terms of settle
ment personally. Come over and see
| her."
II haven't time" And | heard q
click that l knew shut me off
When l Informed Kate of this she
looked troubled After some delibera
ton she went to the telephone herself
/ There was no booth inclosing it, and
could not help hearing what she said
though of course / heard no replies
What seemed of greatest importance
was:
I didn't give that rose to Mr.. Hatha
way. He took it without my permits
sion"