Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-04-03
SAVED
But Only at the Last
Moment

But Only at the Last
II Moment 7
II By WARREN MILLER I
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No one could understand why 1t was
that Helen Aver, the wife Of an excel
lent man and the mother Of lovely
boy six years old, fell under the infu-
ence Of Schuyler Quigley, with nothing
except swagger and cheek to recon-
mend him. When Quigley first began
to pay attention to Mrs. Aver her hus-
band did not appear to notice 1t. The
truth Is he saw that his wife was drift
ing away from him and he dared not
oppose her. fearing that BY his very
opposition he might bring about a ca
tastrophe. II he permitted the matter
to work itself out perhaps the wife and
mother would In time tire Of her new
fancy and realize the danger to her
self, her husband and her son.
Aver had no faith In the effectiveness
of opposition in such case. He pre-
ferred to rely on some appeal to the
heart such as he was not In position
to make himself and which could only
come to his wife unbidden. he hoped
that some incident, some evidence
thrust before her suddenly, might
sweep the dust from before her eyes
and she would see her position In its
true light. He had perfect confidence
In her purity. If Quigley succeeded In
taking her away from him he must do
it legitimately. She must be divorced
from the one and married to the other.
With this idea In view he made no
complaint to Helen, leaving her perfect
freedom to do as she liked. he never
objected to Quigley coming to the
house, nor did he oppose Helen's go
ing out with him. he endeavored in
every possible way to show his faith
In her. Had Quigley taken himself
away for awhile possibly the spell that
bound her to him might have been bro
ken, or at least 1t might have been
breakable.
But Quigley was 80 aggressive, 30
persistent, that Helen never got away
from a certain dominating force there
was about him long enough to recover
herself. Finally Aver decided to take
action. Since they all belonged to the
same set, he had frequent opportunity
to meet the man who was undermining
his home. Their first meeting was at
the house Of mutual friend, where
number Of men were accustomed to
play poker. Ayers object was to begin
series of attempts to force quarrel
upon Quigley, concealing the true
cause. The better to cover his motive
at the poker party he met Quigley cor
daily. But during the game he sud-
denly arose from the table, declaring
that he would not play with a cheat,
making it plain that Quigley was the
man referred to.
Quigley, who was perfectly innocent
Of the charge, retorted. High words
followed, and Aver struck him. Quig-
ley was prevented from returning the
blow by the others, who protested
against the men fighting under the
hosts roof about matter Of cheating
at cards, thereby bringing scandal
upon the house and the party.
This left Quigley not only under
disgraceful charge, but as having re-
ceived q blow from Aver that he had
not returned. Under the old regime
Of a century or more ago he would
have been obliged to challenge Aver or
be cut by his friends. Living In the
twentieth century, he was not obliged
to do anything. he let the matter
drop. He did not call at Ayers house
any more, but he met Mrs. Aver when
she went out on the street and at the
houses Of mutual friends. All he said
| to her about his troubles with her hus-
band was that Aver had accused him
Of cheating at cards and that every
member of the party present had e1-
onerated him Of the charge.
And 80 it was that Russell Aver BY
trying to get rid Of the man who was
really his wife's worst enemy, and at
the same time protect her good name,
only made himself appear to her very
unjust and ignoble person. She thought
that she was taking care Of her reputa'
ton by never being with Quigley, e1.
cept when others were present But
she found It difficult to live with one
man as his wife and have love a1air
though devoid of criminality with an.
other.
Aver followed up his first attack on
Quigley by telling a number Of Quig.
leys' friends that he (Ayer) had struck
him and Quigley had not had the man
liness to resent the blow.
The situation was not pleasing to any
one Of the three persons involved. Quig.
ley represented to Mrs. Aver that he
was refraining from resenting her hus'
| bands insults on her account and beg.
eed her to vindicate him by securing
a divorce and marrying him. She was
distressed, feeling that this was due
Quigley, but dreading to take step
| that would separate her from her hus-
band and her child.
One day Aver met Quigley on the
street. Each was walking with friend
As they passed Aver said loud enough
| for Quigley and his companion to hear: :
'There goes a coward am trying to
make fight"
This was too much for Quigiey, who
| turned and said, "well, we'h have II
out now"
Every well" replied Aver, draw"
Taking revolver from his pocket, he
raised It, cooking It at the same time
But since Quigley was unarmed there
was no fight. M
"You can't escape me with a bloody
nosa~ said Aver. TITS LIE o. death
between "a"
And he walked On.
Quigley began to feel that As could
no longer brook these insults. Some OF
his friends were telling him that Aver
was determined In the matter and It
might better be settlsd sooner than
later. They advised him to challenge