The Tupelo journal., 1917-07-27

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will do that. l shall certainly do every
thing l can to keep the matter out of
court. If your bosom friend does not
shrink from publicity l do. There is
no need for the lady to expose her lac
Grated feelings to a lawyer. Let her
tell you what is the damage done, and
l will pay"
Could this be my brother Ralph,
whom had always regarded the soul of
honor? My establishment was as great
as at learning that Kate Devereaux,
who, it had appeared to me. possessed
the soul Of a true woman, should make
a money demand as compensation for
had justice as a motive. Ralph so far
as l could see had no ground whatever
to stand on.
Ralph" l said, this is the most aw-
full thing that has ever happened to
me. What can l do to stop itr'
What can you do, Puss ?"-Puss was
his pet name for me-"you can get
your friends terms. l will pay and
that will end the matter
But are you content to remain in
such a position? Think how it will in
jure you. Kate showed me your let
ters. they are full of ardent love-"
"She will not show them to any one
else"
How do you know"
because she is not that kind of a
girl"
This gave me a ray of hope. Ralph
thus far had spoken no word of blame
for Kate, and it was evident that he
respected her. And his letters to her
showed plainly that he had loved her.
What brought about your change of
feeling for herr r asked.
That would be telling. l am quite
willing that you should pick out a wife
for re, but after bringing about a COM
plica ton l am not willing to be cate
chisad by you as to my action or my
feelings in the matter. But for any
wroH gdoing, 1 I'm willing to pay"
Ilsre was much more talk upon the
matter between Ralph and me, but l
got 10 more out Of him than ! have
given here. There seemed nothing else
f0r NE to do but see Kate again and
enlcavOr to placate her in some way
ana persuade her that it was not her
duty to take the drastic measure she
intended. She lived not more than
fifty miles from me, and I left Ralph
to IKE my car and run over for an
other conference.
She received me apparently with no
great concern. She did not act like a
woman whose heart had been broken
or one who desired revenge. AS to
making money out of my brother. 1
knew that was absurd. / attributed
her action merely to principle. to con-
scien5ious motives, the protection Of
her sex against unjust treatment from
man. Since l had come back to her so
soon. she evidently expected that 1 had
something to tell her, and she waited
chatting upon unimportant matters
for me to do so.
Kate" l said, Il have had a long
talk with Ralph and have received no
explanation Of his treatment of you.
The only thing I can get out of him is
that he is ready to pay any reasonable
amount within his capabilities that you
may name. But l cannot conceive Of
your accepting a money consideration
for such an injury"
Il can give the amount to charity"
said Kate. it seemed t me rather Sc
verely.
Are you sure" 1 said, that there is
nothing vindictive in your action?"
Nothing Of the kind. 1 simply wish
to teach one man that he cannot treat
one woman with impunity. What 9th
er women do under similar circum-
stances is their affair, not mine"
We'll, then, I suppose nothing re-
mains but for you to name the sum
you claim and for me to name the
amount to Ralph"
Kate made no reply t O this at once.
but at last said:
II think the matter can be settled
between the principals better than
through a third party"
1 caught at this at one and asked If
l should say to Ralph that she would
consent to a conference with him. She
consented to this with apparent reluc-
lance. 1t occurred to me that l could
as well communicate this owe the tel
ephone and, going to the instrument. l
called Ralph.
Kate thinks that it would be best
for her to give you her terms of settle
ment personally. Come over and see
her."
81 haven't time" And l heard a
click that l knew shut me off.
When / informed Kate of this she
looked troubled. After some delibera-
ton she went to the telephone herself.
There was no booth inclosing it, and !
could not help hearing what she said.
though of course l heard no replies.
What seemed of greatest Importance