Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-12-17
FALSE GODS
Sc0p9p4p01 % o000o000 0N0ol
Q0CNCNGACNG0CACO.J0CNC0OV
By MARION E. JoNEs

tracts two glances, one OF casual, the
other of serious interest, supreme in
the power Of swaying men and with a
glorious egotism. Beryl was in very
truth modern siren.
Somewhere in her impulslve younger
days she had, without much thought,
selected husband from the eager
train of would-bes. and subsequent
life with him hat satisfied her fond
est desires. Abso-i ed in the medical
profession, he allowed his adored wife
TO SO about much as she pleased. and
only occasionally was reused to re-
monstrance against the few scraps Of
time which she devoted TO him
Loving and trusting her implicitly.
he considered it unworthy of that love
to feel jealous of the homage paid to
her by other men. and If tiny heart
ache came sometimes when he saw
charming wives who devoted every
thought to their husbands, BeryI, at
least. was none the wiser
One night in June, "A night peryaded
with a gentle, murmurous breeze aud
faint rose fragrance, as Beryl and her
husband were preparing to leave the
cool comfort of their Neranda for the
warm interior Of the house they heard
the soft purring of "A motorcAr coming
up the drive. All aglow at the prospect
of congenial company, Beryl ran light
ly down the steps to greet her guests.
She made "a enhancing picture In
her filmy white gown and hreeze-ruf-
fed hair. SO Phil Armistead thought as
he sprang from the low. gray roadster
and helped his sister. Erdine, to
alight.
what do you say to spin folks?"
he querfed, heartfelt pleasure In the
beauty OF the night ringing IN every
note of his voice, TOO peachy
night TO stay home Get out that
classy racer Of yours, Jack, and show
US some cool speed"
"Say, the idea does appeal pretty
strongly, ut that. Phil. slip on coat,
Berry,, and I'll 90 wake up the garage"
laughed Jack and strobe away,
In moment or two the machines
were ready TO start, and Beryl, cheer
fully obedient to Phlrs eager look, set
tied herself snugly beside him. Jack,
with rather wistful smile, helped
Erdine into his racer, and with sud
den burst of speed shot far ahead Of
the other slower ear.
Left behind. Beryl and Phil found
ample pleasure In each others COM
pany, and ten miles slipped by before
they realized that the other car was
entirely out of sight. Then just ahead,
around concealing bend in the road.
came a sickening, grinding crash, "a
terrified scream, then deadly. horrible
silence.
Whlte-lipped aud stern Phil drove
his car with trembling hands around
the bend to view sight that brought
horror into his heart A lurge touring
car had skdded ON wet patch Of
road and smashed into Jacks cur with
enough force to totally wreck it and
throw out both occupants. The tour
ing car had taken the brunt Of the
blow on its bumper AMI the solitary
driver seemed unhurt rs he bent over
Jack and Erdlne Jack's head was
bleeding profusely from II deep scalp
wound, and Erdine, badly shaken up
and bruised herself had nevertheless
dragged herself into sitting position
and was trying yainly to stanch the
flow of blood from his head with her
thin dress.
Beryl had uttered no sound, but
straight as q honing pigeon had hur-
ried TO Jacks side. kHecling beside
him she attempted to take his head in
her lap but drew back startled at the
fierce look Erdlne flung at her.
Leave him to me Berry,, she cried.
IF he is to die | want him TO be IN my
arms where he belongs. Oh, you can
look as Mortified as you please, but
your poor, shriyeledl!p little heart
could never appreciate a love like
mine. lie is my man. and It has been
my torture for years to see the love
he layished on you that 1 would sell
my very soul for / could have made
him happy. You never have, with
your cheap dlrtations and angling for
admiration"
jack stirred aud opened his eyes.
Berry," be murmured. family, "Beryl
/ want you"
Erdine gently lald his head on the
grass, stood up and win cry " IN
tense bitterness dropped iaintlng into
her brothers. arms.
He carried her to his machine,
where sympathetic women from a
machine that nad stopped OUT
Of curiosity set about the task Of -
vlving her Then he hurried back to
Beryl who was trying amid the most
scaidlng. binding tears She had ever
she'd to bind up Jacks head with
strip from her gown.
The stranger from the luckless tour
Ing car, who had been surprised lis
tener 20 the lmpassiOued little speech
Erdine had given, came forward and
assisted Phil IN carrying Jack to the
car. Bpryl stepped IN and gathered