Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-31
Destroying
Angel
By Louis Joseph Vance
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oopyrighs b. Louis JosapA Vance
Whitaker settled back in the cab
and. oblivious to the lights Of Bfoadt
way streaming past tried to think. II
suddenly presented itself to his reason
with shocking force, that his attitude
must be humbly and wholly apologize,
1t was q singular case: he had como
home to find his wife on the point OF
marrying another man--and she Wal
the one entitled to feel aggrievedi
Strange twist of the eternal trianglel
Far too soon the machine swerved
into Fifty-seventh street, slipped halfs
way down the block, described . Wild
arc to the northern curb and pulled
ND, trembling. before modest modern
residence between sixth and Seventh
avenues.
Reluctantly Whitaker got out and
on suspicion, told the chauffeur IL
wait. Then. with all the alacrity 81
4 condemned man ascending the scaft
fold, he nan up the steps to the front
door. ~
A man-ssfvant answered his ring
without undue delay.
Was Miss Law Ut homsf he would
see.s f63a
This indicated that she was at home,
Whitaker rendered card with his sur.
name penciled after that of Mr.. Hugh
Morten In engraved script.
He stared round him with pardon.
able wonder. II this were truly the
home Of Mary Ladislas Whitaker-heri
property--he had builded far better
than he could possibly have foreseen
with that investment Of 1--WE hundredl
dollars six years since. Soft, shaded!
lights, rare furnishings, the rich yet
delicate atmosphere Of exquisite taste,
the hush and orderly perfection of q
home made and maintained with conf
summate art these furnished him with
dim, provoking limitations Of an indi-i
viduality to which he was stranger
less than stranger-nothing.
Almost Immediately he became
aware Of feminine footsteps on the
staircase-there entered to him lady,
well past middle age, with the dignity,
and poise consistent with her years, her
manifest breeding and her iron-gray
hair.
"Mr. whitaksrr
He bowed.
VI am Mrs. Secretan. friend Of
Miss Law'ss She has asked me to say
that she begs TO- be excused, at least
for tonight. And lam further INSTRUCT
ed to ask IL you will be good enough
to leave your address"
Certainly: I'm stopping at the Ritz
Carlton; but"-he demurred-"I should
like to leave a note, II may
Mrs. secretan nodded an assent
.You will ind materials In the desk
there" she added, indicating an es-|
critoire. A
Thanking her, Whitaker sat down,
and, after some hesitation, wrote few
lines:
Please don't think mean to cause yoa|
the slightest Inconvenience or distress.
shall bs glad to further your wishes ~
any way you may care to designasAE
Please believe in my sincere regret =. \, N
Slkuluk Uuu AVA~Ah6 sAAcs ~
delivered 1t to Mrs. Secretan.
He found himself in the street, With
his trouble for all reward for his palms,
He wondered what to do, where to COL
next The driver Of the taxlcab was
holding the door for him, head bent to-
catch the address Of the next stop. But
his fare fingered still in doubt
Dimly he became aware OF the vio-|
lent Rawlings Of q brace Of news ven
dors who were ramping through the
street, one on either sidewaIk. At the
spur Of vague wonder II the papers
were already noising abroad the news
of the fiasco at the Theater Max, Whit
aker purchased a paper.
'Ther'y'are, SIR. 'Orribls moider
Thanky
The man gallo ped on, bowling. But
Whitaker stood with his gaze riveted
In horror. The news item 80 pointedly
offered to his attention was clearly
legible in the light Of the cab lamps