The spectator., 1921-06-17

"Yes. Finding himself in pitfall which he has digged with his own hands, he is like other men of his kind he would be very glad to climb out upon the shoulders of woman"
 I guess the boss saw red for a min ute. but the question he asked had to come
 By what right did he come to you, Sheila? ?"
 By what he doubtless thinks is the best right in the world. He is my husband"
 It was out at last, and the boss poor little house of cards that l knew he had been building all these months had got it's knock-down in just those four quietly spoken words. As we'll as 1 knew him, l couldn't begin to guess what he would do or say. But he was such splendid fighter that might have known.
 "l heard, no longer ago than this afternoon, that you were not-that your husband was still living" he said. speaking very gently. T didn't believe it-not fully-though l saw that there might easily be room for | the belief Ii makes no difference, 1 Sheila. You are my friend. and you | are blamelcSs. But before We go any farther l want you to believe that I wouldn't have been brutal enough to give you that bit of paper if l bad remotely suspected that Collingwood was the man"
 She didn't make any answer to that and after a while he said: Having | told me so much. can't you tell me Il | little more?'
 "There isn't much to tell. and even | the little is commonplace and-and 1 disgraceful." she replied with touch of wearness that was fairly heart breaking Don't ask me why we were married I cant explain that, simply because don't know, myself. It was arranged between the two families, and suppose Howie and l always took it for granted. cant even plead my life"
 Go on" said the boss. still speak ing as gently as a brother might have. 'Howie was spoiled child. an only son. and he is Il spoiled man. l stood it as long as I could-I hope you will things that woman cannot stand aud-''
 Il know" he broke in. "So you came out here to he free" Fl is four years since we have lived together" she went on. "and for long time I hoped he would never find out where I was. There was no divorce I had taken my mothers name. and only Cousin Basil and his wife knew that 1 was not what per hapS every one else took me to be- widow with dead husband instead of living one
 Did Collingwood try to find yout"
 No, l think not But when he was here last spring with his Uncle Breck- enridge he saw me and found out that l was living here with Cousin Basil.
 Did hc try 10 perSecute your
 No. not then. l was afraid of only one thing: that he might drink too much and land talk. Part of the fear was realized. He saw me that Snn- day night in the Buliard That was why he waS' trying to fight the hotel people-because they wouldn't let him come upstairs. saw what you did. and l was sorry. l couldn't help feel ing that in some way it would prove to be the beginning of tragedy"
 You saw no more of him them
 No: I neither saw him nor heard of him until about month ago when he came west with n man named Bullork--a New York attorney. didnt know why he came. but l thought 1t was to annoy me"
 And he has annoyed you?"
 Until this night he has never missed an opportunity of doing so when he could dodge Cousin Basil. It was his tauntinc boast yesterday at the capital that led me 10 telegraph Cousin Basil and Upton Van Britt about your trip to Struthcona He knew that you were going To the gold camp, and he declared to me that you'd never come back alive
 But tonight" the boss persisted What did he want tonlght?"
 He wanted toto use me. He said that he had put something across for his uncle. that he had gotten into trouble for it, and that-to use his own phrase again, you were the man who would iry to get his goat.
 And his object is telling you thisf"
 Was entirely worthy of the man. He asked me, or rather. l should say, commanded me. 10 choke you or And. of course. he added the insult. He said was the one who could do It."
 "Without intending to, you have tied my hands" the boss said gravely. T wasn't meaning 10 spare Ceiling