The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-06-21
His Revenge

II Think" said Miss Holbrook, a little
wearily, you had better 60. There Ia
nothing to be gained by your staying.
You have asked me to marry you, and
have given you my answer. You are
on the point Of losing your temper,
and I have no wish to see how you
look when you are In rage"
Henry Bolam's countenance, even
when most amiable, was hardly lovely
to look upon. and. Miss Holbrook'a
anxiety to avoid beholding it when dis.
figured by vexation was, therefore,
quite natural.
"You'll have to hear the truth be.
fore I clear out" he said, savagely.
DO you think I've been hanging about
at this hotel for the last six weeks
and spending my hard-earned money
Just because was in love with youi
II 80, you're mistaken. Your doll-like
face means nothing to me-nothing at
ALL"
II can quite believe It," replied the
girl. calmly. my bank balance has
been the attraction all along, I i'm.
agine."
Eyes. you're right. I may as well
be candid for once, and tell you
straight that I've never been In love
with any woman and never shall be"
my sex would be treasured If they
knew It," replied Miss Holbrook, quiet.
".
"Don't sheer. You may think this
a laughing matter, but you'll be sorry
yet. You led me on to fancy that you
cared for me, and now"
stop! will not listen to another
word. 1t is altogether false to say
that I led you on. allowed you to
force your attentions upon me, be.
cause there was no way Of evadlng
them without leaving the hotel. But
l never cared for you. I am a judge
Of character, Mr.. Bolam, and I read
yours the first time saw you. know
you to be a ccld-blooded fortune hunt.
| er. You IRE not the first man belong
Ing to that profession who has tried
to- make me his wife. know the
breed only too well. Aud now, please
60, and never let me see your face
again."
During the next few days Henry Bo.
lam sulked aggressively, and told him.
self that he was the most injured man
on earth. He endeavOred to think out
various schemes of vengeance upon
Miss Holbrook, but none of them
seemed feasible. At length, however,
fate or chance favored him, ard he
saw the opportunity for his supreme
revenge.
He CHANGED to be passing along
Orury lane one night soon after eleven.
On the steps of building which bore
the legend Beds fourpence and six
pence" he beheld a man clad in rags.
The mans face caused him to sway
back with a little cry of amazement.
Heavens, what q likeness !" he mutt
tered.
"And So" said the tramp, slowly,
after Mr.. Bolam had unfolded to him
his plan, and he was calmly slipping
Mr.. Bolam's whisky, 'you want me to
rig myself out in decent clothes and
60 down to Bournemouth, where am
to make love to wealthy young lady
under the name Of Denham Druce?"
'That's the idea," assented Mr.. Bo-
lam, land you are the very man to play
the part to perfection. You have had
an Oxford education, SO you tell me.
and you talk like gentleman. A
good suit Of clothes and some patent
leather boots will complete the pic.
ture."
And thus was the plot arranged. On
the following morning Mr.. Bolam met
his accomplice by appointment. saw
him provided with two suits of clothes
and other necessaries.
He saw the man off by the IL 40
train to the Hampshire town, and then
waited impatiently for his first report.
It came two days later, in the shape
Of note which bore neither date nor
signature, but simply said:
"Have secured seat at the table
d'hote near Miss H. and have already
broken the ice. She seems delighted
at making my acquaintance. We have
done nothing but discuss my supposed
novels, and, as happen to have read
most of them at free libraries, my task
has been comparatively easy. Will
report further progress later"
During the sixth week that followed
the beginning Of the scheme, the re.
ports suddenly ceased. Mr.. Bolam
began to feel uneasy. Why did not
tbs tramp writer What has happened1
After bottlins up his fears for two
days, he went to the telegraph office
In Covent garden and wired as fol-
lows:
ITO bruce, Hotel ventnor, Bourne