The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-07-12
A POLD
ATTEMPT
By HEEL HOL r.

key, he went upstairs stealthily, for il
mad occurred to him to enter his wife's
room quietly, and If her back were to-
ward him he would put his arms about
her and surprise her with a kiss.
From this it will be supposed-and
correctly-that Mr., and Mrs. Trevor
mad not been long married.
Cautiously pushing the door open.
he saw standing before dresser,
hunting in one of the drawers, a WON
an. In another moment she caught
sight of his reflection in the mirror
Turning, she faced him
Madam" he said. what are you do
ing here!
i came for your wifes jewels. But
since | have not found them and have
been interrupted in my search will
put i'll oleration a scheme which de- |
rised and Tor which l prepared before |
coming here III case | should fail in |
obtaining the jewels. Your wife is not |
i'll the house left her some ten min
utes ago at The door of friend of hers !
with whom she was exchanging a few
last words before parting Knowing
the disposition of my sex to profong
those few parting words, believed l
would have plenty of time to come
here and at least make beginning
Opening reticule, she took out bit
Of paper and handed it to Trevor. 1t
was a note for $1,000.
Sign it," said the woman.
II will do no such thing"
YES, you will when you have heard
my reasons why it would be best for
you to do So Your wife will be here
in a few minutes" She had got be-
tween Trevor and the door, locked it
and put the key in her reticule. "She
will find you locked in here with me-
will plead guilty and ask her forgive
ness. Your domestic happiness will be
ended.
Unfortunately for this part Of the
woman's plan, at this moment the
front door was heard to close. Mrs.
Trevor had finished the few parting
words with her friend and reached
her home. Ascending the stairs. she
attempted to open the door Of her
room and found it locked.
open the door" said Trevor sternly.
The woman produced the key and
did as she was directed. Trevor threw
| open the door. The woman covered
in corner. affecting shame and con-
| triton. Mrs. Trevor stood looking
i from one to the other, first with amaze
! ment then with pain.
"Oh, Mark" she walled, how could
your
! This woman Trevor began, but
the criminal stopped him.
"Forgive me, Mrs. Trevor" she said
II have injured you in stepping in be-
tween you and your husband. Mark
loved me before he ever saw you. He
really belongs to me rather than to
you. He will deny what l say. He
will give his own explanation OF my
being here. He will lie to you, as he
has lied to me. Believe him II you
will. but | assure you he is not to be
believed"
Mrs. Trevor cast All appealing glance
at her husband. 1t pleaded with him
to set himself right. though convicted
by overwhelming evidence.
Eileen he began again, and again
the woman drowned his words.
Don't listen to him." she said. Il
will tell YOU the true story In Few
words. Several years ago he found
me an unsuspecting country girl His
words were very sweet He told me
that in me he had met his fate, OF
nil the girls he had ever met | was the
only one 10 whom his heart
, At this point the woman began edg
ing around toward the door. Mrs. Ire
yor shrank away before her, leaving
rho way clear. Trevor stood over
whelmed. paralyzed with the self con
fessed thief's unblushing assurance
Then the wife found voice to say to the
| woman:
Leave
81 obey YOU leave you with the
| man who has blighted my life. Wouit
! that YOU had been left in ignorance
| of his true character. Never again vii
| T.
| She was about to back out OF thu
door when Trevor sprang forward
closed II. turned the key and put 1t il
his pocket
| "You will never again play such
hold game with me, for shall put
ont of your power to do SO. Give III
that reticule.
| The woman turned pale. She grasp
ed the reticule the tighter.
EILEEN" said Trevor, take the bai
ercm her. | don't wish to use fore
with woman
| What do you wish with itT' aske'
the wife.
eft contains the proof that this VIC
man is levying blackmail.
II Eileen advanced toward the woman
| who opening the bag, took out a
| ,vory handled pistol and leveled 1t
her adversary. Eileen drew back, bu