The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1917-03-06
mo? And how are you going to

81 .s@szaez
mo? And how are you going to
stop me?"
Lois cold, hard answer BOWED him
over: Even Gloria can't be so crazy
about you that she would marry you
If were found dead here''
Freneau stared at her aghast. He
could not quite be sure of her meaning
till he saw a little phial in her hand.
He 1eaped for it. But she lodged
round his desk and put it to her lips.
Don't you come near me or you'll
wish you hadn't" she cried. eff you
take another step I'll swallow this
Ffeneau had to temporize with the
mad woman. He surrendered weakly
and dropped into a chair.
Listen to me, Lois,' he pleaded. IT
went to her father to borrow money.
I've got to have his support or go
bankrupt. If I do that I'll blow my
brains out. OF course, I don't love
Gloria. My heart is yours. But can't
marry you. If 1 marry her she wont
interfere with your love and mine
We shall be all the safer. If you
love me, you won't ruin me. If you
don't love~me, give me the phial and
I'll get out of your way
She was in so insane a mood Of
jealousy and longing, that she be-
1ieved him. She made him swear that
he spoke the truth, as if an oath or
two meant anything to him. Then she
suffered herself to remain his dupe,
and he took. her down to taxicab,
feeling sure that he was well rid of
her.
When she had gone he breathed
more easily. He even laughed He
had everybody working for him. His
rival, Royce, was toiling to save
Gloria's life. His ex-fame, Lois, was
in league with him to keep up the de-
ception. Gloria's father was lending
him money. He was plainly child
of destiny.
He was so treasured by his luck
that he made a holiday with Mulry,
who planned to start off at once
on round of the different cities
where they had branch Offices for the
convenience of victims who lived far
from New York.
*.*
Ignorance may be bliss, but it is not
preparedness. Freneau was blissful
in the belief that Lois was quoted. He
did not dream, nor did she, that David
Stafford was awakening. When Ere
neau took Lois to the taxicab, she
lowered her veil, but veil is only
a partial disguise at best, and it may
off NJ of% -o;4
Lois noted that certain Mrs. Coleridge
was passing, or that she stared hard.
Mrs. Coleridge was one Of the pretti-
est faces in Freneau's pack of dis
cards. She was a sort of female Ere
neau, but in Freneau she had met
her match, because she allowed her
self to be more thrilled than thrilling.
He had passed on without a long pause
before her shrine.
Mrs. Coleridge had seen Freneau
with Lois at various tea dances, and
she recognized Lois all the more read
lily for her veil She was outraged in
her finest sensibilities. She felt it her
duty to see that Lois was punished
She did not want to appear as com
planning witness, but her righteous in
dignation carried her to large hotel
in whose writing room she found pen
ink, paper, envelopes, and secrecy. She
dashed off a little note to David ad
vising him that his wife was showing
more interest than he might approve
in certain heart-breaker. Mrs. Cole
ridge neglected to sign her name. II
! fact, she rather disguised her hand
writing, though this made little dit
: ference, since David did not know
5 it, anyway. She dropped the littl
letter into mail-box with the limo
cent glee of an anarchist slipping
3 bomb with a time fuse under NIL
3 Honaire's automobile.
The United States post Office author
9 tiles carried the loaded letter to De-
= vid's office for her. He opened j
r and read it, but could not understan
it. He read it again and understood
d it, but could not believe it. He wa
j. about to toss it in the waste baske1
where such missives belong. He rea