The Washington herald., 1922-03-30


way that had won her before.
He took the whole thing very
lightly! Jane wondered whether he
could appreciate what she had gone
through in that lawyers ofice, and
how much she dreaded going back
there.
You stand BY me, and we'll show
them" he said. pounding his INST
down upon the table.
Jane looked up into his eyes. and
something hard and calculating in
the way he was looking at her, gave
her a start.
Could she trust him?
He had broken into a smile in the
second. however. and taking her
arm cozily In his, led Jane out Of
the cafe. ,--. ...- ... ~. ,
what does your mother think Of
our getting married?" he asked
when they were outside
IT haven't told her." Jane con-
fessed. =
1t was all so sudden she couldn't
beEeve 1t. To marry him!
n was wonderful though to think
of getting out of that stuffy office.
Jane would have married almost
any man to get out Of business, and
to have a home of her own! But to
marry Mr.. Randolph was. like
fairy story. Jane was in love with
him!
The head girl was in tantrums at
James late return from luncheon
she had barely time to seat herself
at the typewriter when Mr.. Rey-
nolds sent for her.
Now, you'll get Il! And serves
Nok 0fr vi
agreeably.
We've got some new evidence to-
day-more dope" Reynolds said.
Come along" ----.s :. 20 go
When they got into the lawyers
ONCE there was a terrible shock
awaiting Jane. A woman was sit
ting there weeping. They intro
duced her as Mrs. Randolph,
Jane simply sank into a chair and
stared at her in Arrangement.
You are Mrs. Randolph"
His wife" she said in a low tone,
and then raising a pair Of SORROW
full brown eyes.
And you were his stenographerr
Yes" Jane choked nervously.
She reached over and took James
hand, with a sympathetic pressure.
How will this affect the caseT
Reynolds asked. -s.
The lawyer was tapping his pencil
irascibly. .<-
Il shall file a separate bill for
back alimony." the lady said.
Reynolds was staring at the lady
with a puzzled expression. Then he
turned to his lawyer sharply.
What good will It do us to mix
up an aiimony bill with our claim
he asked -
The lawyer smiled ,.thinly and
said, "AhaP He reminded Jane OF
the villain in a melodrama.
Meanwhile 1.-THE little lady was
dabbing her eyes with a tiny hand
kerchief. Jane could not overlook
that she was daintily attired, and
bore evident marks of refinement.
II hate to do it," she wept. But
I feel 1t is my duty. 1t may save
other innocent people, and who
knows2 Perhaps some other inno-
cent little girl may fall into Ills
clutches as I did. I must bring him
to justice, even IL 1t kills me-but-l
I-love-him-still!" she sobbed.
Tut! Tut! My good woman" Mr..
Reynolds said consolingly, but aside
Jane heard him whisper to the clerk
Aren't women d. fools?
The lawyer was out of sympathy
with the sob stun. and coldly pro-
ceeded with the testimony.
Are you then willing to, sign an
AFFIDAVIT swearing to your expert
ence with said Randolph" he asked. |
Y-yes!" she moaned.
He pushed a buzzer and a bespec-
tacled stenographer nearly SO years |
old. with ragged gray hair entered
the room. So that is what a ste |
nographer got to look like after |
working all her life! Jane was less |
enthused than ever over the pro-
fession she had picked.
Muttering the preliminaries hur-
riedly, the lawyer dictated:
-Affiant further swears that on or |
before the 18th day of February,
1915. said Randolph became involv-
ed in a real estate swindle in said |
city of San Francisco; that said
in whose ONCE affiant
was engaged as stenographer and
after discovery and ex-
posture in the courts Of law, on or
about the LIST day Of March. 1915, |
proposed matrimony to said affiant.
Affiant further testifies that said
stated that, after she be-
came his legal wife, she would not
be obliged to testify in court |
against him. Afiant further testi- |
fes that Immediately following |
Randolph's acquittal, he deserted |
her in said city of San Francisco.
that on or about the 10th day OF |
April she applied for a divorce on
grounds of desertion. and was
awarded alimony. Affant further
testifies that said Randolph never
at anY time maid ANY rartEnF satd
etc, etc" 81.
rs that correctT' the lawyer
asked Mrs. Randolph.
Yes she acknowledged.
He then turned to Jane. You
see, young woman, what sort of
man you have been dealing WITH
Yes" Jane mumuled.
And when asked you yesterday
whether said Randolph had tried to |
make love to you. had this, in
mind" s5g
by Joys,- Reynolds cried jump
ing up from his lazy arn-chair.
TITS arwonder he didn't try. He
looked az. Jane sharply. and then
went over to Mrs Randolph. This
girl knows how the stock was as
signed. and the whole scheme. I'm
surprised Randolph wasn't clever
enough to marry her, too"
The little lady looked at Jane
straight. = - 49,. :.
Il shouldn't be surprised II he
would suggest such a thing even
now said calmly
James eheks were afire. her
throat closed with a terrible aching
lump. and tears came scaIding.- She
could bear II no longeri