, 1924-01-09
II BRANDING IRON

hoouWuTu uHWIllinSiy SURRENDERED
the small, gray enevolpe to a culver.
ing, Outstretched hand. Jasper turned
away and stood near the lamp. But
his excitement prevented him from
reading. h angular writing jumped
before his eyes. At last the words
Enlightened themselves.
Il am glad that you have. given me
his opportunity to escape from a life
hat for u long time has been dread.
iul TO me. Ten years ago I made a
disaster of my life and yours. Forgive
ne If you can and let me escape. 4
VIII not see you again Whatever you
may have to say. please say It to
Woodward. From now on he is my
protector. In other matters there are
my lawyers. II Is absolutely not to be
thought of that ! should speak to you.
| hope never to see o lone. 1 want
you to hate me and this note ought to
make 1t easy for you.
BETTY"
Jasper stared at the name. He was
utterly bewiidered, utterly staggered,
by the amazing discrimination prac-
ticed by this small, sOft-lipped. round
eyed girl who had lived with hin for
SO long, sufficiently pliable. sufficiently
agreeable. What was pack IF IT all1
Another man, of course. In imagina-
lion he was examining the faces of his
acqnaihtances, narrowing his lids as
though the real men passed IN review
before him,
Perhaps you understand the stu
ntfnr hnft.r ,r,9 n.l.l
cruelty.
Jasper's intense pain and bumilia-
ton gave him a sort Of calm. He
seemed entirely cool when he moved
back TOWARD his brother-in-Iaw; his
eyes were clear, the heat had gone
from his temples. He was even smil-
ing II little, though there was a white,
even frame to his lips.
81 shall rot write to Betty nor at
tempt to see her. he said quietly.
But ] shah ask you to take a mes
sage to her"
Woodward assented.
"Te!l her size shall have her release,
but to get IL she Will have to walk
through the mire and there will be no
waiting for her on the other side.
Can you remember thatf Not even
you will be there" He was entirely
self'assured so that Woodward felt a
chill of dismay.
Il shall contest the suit" went on
Jasper. "and / believe that I shall win
It. You may tell Betty so If you like
or she can wait to hear II from nv
lawyer" He put the envelope Into his
napIr,t 1r--zl A. "a
hack one of the crimson curtains of
the door.
"If You have nothing more to saw"
he smiled. neither have l. Goodby."
He bowed. slightly. and Woodward
found himself passing before him in
silence and some confusion. He stood
for a moment in the hall and. ha wing
stammered his way TO a cold "tYood
afternoon" he put on his hat and went
oul.
jasper returned to the empty draw
Ing room and begun his weaving
march.
Before he could begin his spinning
which he hoped would entangle Betty
and leave her powerless for him to
hold or to release at will. he must go
to Jane West and tell her what trick
life with his help had PLAYED npon her
The prospect was bitterly distastefuI.
jasper accused himself of s%elasbpess
Because she cared nothing for the
world, was n creature apart. he had
let the world think what II would. He
knew that an askance look would not
hurt her; for himself. secure in limo.
cence, he did not care; for Betty he
had thought her cruelty certain of
him.
lie went to Jane the day after his
interview with Woodward Kane. II
was Sunday afternoon. She was out.
but came In very soon. and he stood
nm m meet ber with nm mir NJ conf,-