Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1919-06-05
7de
| enptation
Copyright 1919. by Western Newspaper uniOu1
BY OTILLlA FRANCES PFEIFFER

Copyright, 1919. by Western Newspaper Uuion.)
John Ross grappled with the strong.
est temptation of his life. He sat at
his desk in his room in the college
dormitory, his face pale his eyes
blurred with the strain of his excite
ment, his hands clasping and unclasp.
ing under the strain of deep and fer
vent emotion.
81 must not do it," he breathed.
Even for her sake, / must not bur
den my soul with deadly sin -
Yet the tempter did not abandon
him. Before him were two paths. He
was free TO choose either. Justice
pointed out clearly, yet he wavered
The fate, the fortune, the happiness
of airline Dallas lured him to a crime
mot for his own sake, but because
she was all in all the world to him.
strange situation had come about.
He was professor Of languages in
the Marvin institute Madge Widener
was a teacher in the same place OF
learning. She was a cousin of Airline
Dallas, and they lived at the same
home, the latter studying for posi-
tion likewise in the college when she
was fitted for the same. Both girls
were friendly with Ross Madge had
never especially attracted him, but
The first time he had met Airline his
whole being seemed infused with
new comprehension of life. He had
fostered the acquantanceship to the
point of giving two evenings a week
10 enable Airline to complete course
that would entihe her to position
The college, however, had its roster
full as to tutors and only the week
previous Airline had told him:
There seems TO be no immediate
opening for me, and | AIN thinking OF
returning to my aunt and take place
as 4 Stenographer in our home bank"
TO lose Airline! TO have her disap-
pear from his lonely life like the one
star OF hope from the armament of his
soul He shrank from risllng all by
telling Airline of his love. He was dis
tracted over her probable departure
when something happened
There was an uncle Of Airline and
Madge who had gone to Africa. He
had been absent for five years when
his attorney NJ Natal wrote to the
bank at Pittston He also sent q
strong box made of ebony wood and
containing, the lawyer wrote, small
fortune. With 1t was a screed made
up of puzzing hieroglyphics. The Ma
tai lawyer explained that, dying two
hundred miles away from civilization,
Walter Major had directed a faithful
native TO convey his little fortune to
Natal. They spoke the same language,
and the native had written the will OF
his master in characters of his own
tongue. This was obscure and not I'M
derst0od at the coast cities, but IL was
left for the friends and relatives OF
Mr.. Major to translate the same. The
bank had naturally sought out the cru
dite professor oflanguages. And John
Ross had lust found a key to the will
and had translated it's contents. 1t lay
before him now, awaiting his report.
The document had named only one OF
his nieces as his heiress-Madge WI
dener.
Then had come the temptation.
Whatever report Ross made would be
accepted. There was no expert trans
tator like himself available to char
Ienge his decision. How much the lit
tle fortune would mean to Airline
How easily could he name her as the
beneficiary True, it would place her
more than ever beyond his reach, but
she would be provided for; comfort
even luxury, would be hers.
"No--I will not !" uttered the strong
man. quiyering like an aspen. IF AT
line ever knew of the deception she
would despise me. Better to live on
with n clear conscience, even II fond
memory Of my love for her is all |
gain than to blacken my soul and rob
another I"
So John Ross faithfully executed his
mission. Madge Widener unexpected
ly lifted from earning her living to
comparative aflluence, resigned her po-
sltion, and then John Ross felt that
great reward had come to him through
the incident of the legacy. successor
to Miss Widener was imperative. lie
get every available influence at WORK
to encompass the selection of airline
as substitute. She comprehended his
great helpfulness, she seemed to draw
nearer TO him in her deep gratitude.
She was not to go away! He was not
to lose the JOY Of her presence
It was proud and happy day Tor
Jehn Ross. when the announcement
was made confirming current rumor
Of his elevation to the best paid profes'
sorship in the college-happy because
Airline both hands placed conhdingly
within his own. looked up into his race
with an earnest, sincere expression
that was something deeper than mere
Congratulation.
There was an impromptu social rec
IGNITION of the event by the faculty
and students Of the institution. II was
the mission of Ross to see airline tc
her home after the function was over
She fingered at the garden gate Inc
glories of the lovely night seemed t'