The Dolores star., 1924-10-03
Claud Deering
Smoothed His
Path of Love
By H. M. ECBERT
IA, Is,. ws.t.ro Nsw.p.per Union.)

nau confessed tnAt there was only d
year or two between them.
And Ray had been married before.
Deering knew all about that tragedy
in her life; the inexperienced girl, fas-
cinated by the rogue who wanted the
legacy that her father had left her.
and, having got possession OF her
small fortune, had left her for another
woman, three months after the mar
risge. Later came news of his death
in brawl in a low saloon and Ray re
sumed her maiden name.
AS Deering sat in his office, dream
ing over the happiness in store for
her, there came knock at the door. \
ragged tramp was standing outside.
Doc Deering?" he inquired, with II
surly scowl.
That's right" answered the doctor,
heartily. Come in and sit down"
The man collapsed into chair, and
then Deering saw that he was in the
last stage of emaciation.
Il heard-I heard that you were GO
Ing to marry Ray Brooks tomorrow"
he muttered. That's why l came. I'm
lin John, her husband"
Deering took the blow quite calmly,
as a man should. He took the tramp's
arm in his hands and began feeling
the pulse. You're in bad way, my
friend" he said. You'd best go into
the~hospital. I'll drive you there to-
night. And let me tell you, you'll have
to change your manner of life If you
want to pull through"
That's all very WELL" sneered the
man, but you can't throw me off the
scent like that. If you want to marry
Ray, you're going to pay for It,"
"If your statement is true" Deering
answered quietly, you have the situa-
ton in your own hands. But I'm
going to take you to the hospltal!"
"Pll go!" muttereH the man. But
when come out I'll make you pay"
Miss Lennox not on duty tonlght?"
asked the doctor of the night nurse.
She'll be coming on at twelve, Doc
tor Deering" answered the young
woman.
"I'll wait for her." Deering an
swered. Il am rather anxious to talk
with her about this case"
When the man opened his eyes
Deering felt that he was growing
stronger. In spite of himself, the
thought would come that this wreck
of fiotsam would be better Off dead
Why should such useless lives linger
to make only misery?
The man leered at him.
Say, Doc" he said, this Is a
mighty comfortable bed to sleep in.
It's weeks since had bed like this.
But I'm going to make you pay, just
the same, If you want Ray"
groan broke from the doctors lips.
He clenched his hands and strobe up
and down the room.
The sick mans eyes followed him.
"Once," he said, when Deering re-
turned to his bedside, you could have
put that all over me. You could have
won my gratitude and worked upon
old bird to be caught by kindness.
You'll pay fifteen hundred If you want
Ray"
Deering turned upon him.
do you think am bigamist?" he
cried. IF you are John Brooks, you've
got me in your power. But you won't
get chance to torture that helpless
woman again"
The man did not answer him. Deer.
ing saw his eyes fixed in terror upon
something-sOme one on the opposite
side of the room. He looked round
Miss Lennox was approaching the bed
"GoOd-evening," began Deering, and
stopped. There was the same look of
terror upon the face of the nurse.
why" the doctor began. why"
"Oh, I guess she remembers me-"
burst out Brooks, with an oath. '.She
ought to. We lived together long
enough for her to know my face"
THAT man is my husband, doctor!"
said the nurse. "Oh, why did you
bring him here"
when did this marriage occur?'' In
Quired Deering.
Eight years ago." answered Miss
Lennox. "Oh, why did you bring him
hereY'
II didn't know, my dear" answered
Deering. "I'm sorry. But he is just
patient and shall not trouble you"
II don't know about that answered
Brooks with snarl.
But I know" answered Deering,
sternly. "If you married Miss Lennox
eight years ago, your marriage with
Miss Clifford was bigamous one'
"Well, guess she won't like to be
told she wasn't legally married."
sneered Brooks.
"She will not be told" answered the
doctor. quietly. "If you so much as
dare to let her see your face at any
time shall have you clapped into Jail
for bigamy."
And then an amazing thing hap
pened that changed his ideas of human
nature. For the nurse sank down be-
side the man and put her arms round
him and cried upon his breast.
And when Deering looked at the face