The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1917-06-29
A BOLD
ATTEMPT
By ETHEL HOLMES

l
had occurred to him to enter his wife's
room quietly. and If her back were to
ward him he would put his arms about
her and surprise her with a kiss
From this it will be supposed-and
correctly-that Mr.. and Mrs Trevor
had not been long married.
Cautiously pushing the door open
he saw standing before a dresser
hunting in one of the drawers a WON
an. In another moment she caught
sight Of his reflection in the mirror
Turning, she faced him.
Madam" he said, what are you do
ing hereY'
II came for your wifes jewels. But
since have not found them and have
been interrupted in my search ! will
put in operation a scheme which | de-
vised and for which l prepared before
coming here in case | should fail In
obtaining the jewels Your wife is not
in the house. / left her some ten min
utes ago at the door of friend of hers
with whom she was exchanging a few
last words before parting. Knowing
the disposition of my sex to prolong
those few parting words, | believed
would have plenty of time to come
here and at least make a beginning"
Opening a reticule. she took out bit
of paper and handed it to Trevor. II
was note for $1,000.
Sign it," said the woman.
II will do no such thing"
Yes, you will when you have heard
my reasons why it would be best for
you to do so. Your wife will be here
in a few minutes" She had got be.
tween Trevor and the door, locked II
and put the key in her reticule. "She
will find you locked in here with me.
I will plead guilty and ask her forgive
ness. Your domestic happiness will be
ended"
Unfortunately for this part of the
woman's plan, at this moment the
front door was heard TO close. Mrs.
Trevor had finished the few parting
words" with her friend and reached
her home. Ascending the stairs, she
attempted to open the door Of her
room and found it locked.
open the door," said Trevor sternly
The woman produced the key and
did as she was directed Trevor threw
open the door. The woman covered
in a corner. affecting shame and con-
triton. Mrs. Trevor stood looking
from one TO the other, first with amaze
ment, then with pain.
"Oh, Mark" she walled "how could
your
This woman Trevor began, but
the criminal stopped him.
Forgive me, Mrs. Trevor" she said
II have injured you in stepping in be
tween you and your husband. Mark
loved me before he ever saw you. He
really belongs to me rather than to
you. He will deny what | say. He
will give his own explanation Of my
being here. He will lie to you, as he
has lied to me. Believe him If you
will, but l assure you he is not to be
believed"
Mrs. Trevor cast an appealing glance
at her husband. 1t pleaded with him
to set himself right, though convicted
by overwhelming evidence
Eileen he began again, and again
the woman drowned his words.
Don't listen to him." she said. 81
will tell you the true story in a few
words. Several years ago he found
me an unsuspecting country girl. His
words were very sweet. He told me
that in me he had met his fate, OF
all the girls he had ever met was the
only one to whol his heart
At this point the woman began edg
ing around toward the door. Mrs. Ire
vor shrank away before her, leaving
the way clear. Trevor stood over
whelmed, paralyzed with the self con
fessed thiefs unblushing assurance
Then the wife found voice to say to the
woman:
Leave"
81 obey you. leave you with the
man who has blighted my life. Would
that you had been left in ignorance
of his true character! Never again will
r.
She was about to back out Of the
door when Trevor sprang forward
closed it, turned the key and put it in
his pocket.
you will never again play such a
bold game with me- for l shall put II
out of your power to do So Give me
that reticule.'
The woman turned pale. She grasp
ed the reticule the tighter.
Eileen" said Trevor, take the bag
from her. ! don't wish to use force
with a woman"
what do you wish with it," asked
| the wife.
sit contains the proof that this wo
man is levying blackmail."
Eileen advanced toward the woman
who, opening the bag, took out ar
ivory handled pistol and leveled 1t al
her adversary. Eileen drew back. but
her husband, ignoring the weapon, ad
vanced to the thief and took the reti
cule out of her hand; then opening II
be took out the unsigned note. After
explaining the woman's scheme Il
Eileen and convincing her of his limo
cence he unlocked the door and told
her to go and telephone for the police.
Trevor stood guard over the woman
| till the arrival of patrol wagon from
! N v1oJfaa ofFca and Sba was removed