Evening star., 1925-11-02
Continued from Yesterdays Star.1

'I can't believe it." murmured Stan
ley. Even now I can't believe il. And
yet it accounts for so many things
little looks and phrases that passed
between those two in the office. They
meant nothing to me then, and now
they all come back with a new and
terrible meaning" He cudgeled his
memory. Yes. yes-and that last
night-the last time | saw her. When
l entered the room Rollin and she
were alone. She had just accepted
him. ! thought then she looked queer
not at all like a happy girl She
passed it off, but she was queer just
the same, and no wonder. That vile
woman had just been there telling her
this terrible tale about me, making
me a monster in her eyes
He got up and strode about the
room. Yes. and he was there, too
Rollin. my friend He knew it. AS he
took my hand ana smiled in parting,
he knew that he had betrayed me as
few men had ever been betrayed be
fore. And away | went like Il poor
fool. sad for my own disappointment
and yet happy for the happiness Of
my old friend and the girl | loved.
Fool. Fool, Fool
He turned, tossed both hands in the
air, and cried: BY God, III not sit
down under this" He crossed the
room in three strides, seized Wilson
by the elbow with a grip that hurt
and said, Look here, tell me every
thing that YOU know about him-I
mean, since l went away
At last Wilson had his opportunity.
and he used it. Sunk into the depths
of the big chair. Stanley. his face
buried in his hands. heard him to the
end. Then he spoke. To Wilson it
was the voice of a stranger.
I'm short, he's betrayed her as he
betrayed me. l knew something was
wrong when | saw her last night bur
l never dreamed-hoW could / have
dreamed?-it was like this. Frank.
what's become of that girl?" he cried
with sudden burst OF energy. the
Morgan girl, Nina Morgan, damn her.
Il don't know. sir. She never came
back to the office after you went.
suppose he set her up an establish,
ment somewhere
''On Doris money"
II suppose so"
And you've never seen her since?'
mo, sir; not to speak to-"
Find her, Find her, Spare moth.
ing. stop at nothing, search the world
only find that woman
He glared upon the secretary with
such intensity that the little man was
frightened. What are YOU going 10
do. sir?' he asked
DO? DO? God knows. But some
thing. Yes, it's beginning TO come
It's sure TO come if my brains are
good for anything in this world Yes
we shall do something, and when we
do, it shall be something" his voice
sunk to a sinister whisper, 1T shall be
neutrality-suspicious. Again he rose
from his chair and shouted. My God
Frank, I think I'm going mad. TC
think of that darling creature-and
what that wretch has done to her. !
could tear my heart out by the roots.
Come come. sir" said Wilson. now
thoroughly alarmed, you mustn't SO
on like this. Take hold of yourself.
Yes, yes. you're right said Stan
ley feverishly, no use in getting wild
Now Is the time for self-controi. But
there was little selfcontrol about him
Frank, Frank" he went on. ''are
you sure I'm awake, and that
haven't dreamed this damnable thing:
For Gods sake tell me it's only a
dream and that I'm going TO wake VI
pretty Soon--that my old friend /,
still my friend. and that the girl
love is happy with the man she loves
that her life and mine have not beer
bldSted py llIt Niet'H 'r@A-'N' i.t-'
friend
Wilson swallowed hard at the lump
in his throat as he said, Il wish &c
heaven It was q dream
Start that machine again. said
Stanley suddenly.
Fearful of it's effect, the secretary
said, please think you've had
enough of that, sir
Frank, listen. | could perhaps for
give this man the ruin of my life. but
he's ruined the life of the girl | love.
and for that | will never forgive him
never. For that l will have Ven
geance For such things cannot he
done-no, else justice must become
a mockery. Start that damned ma
chine, l wish to hear again the voice
of-my friend
Against his will, Wilson obeyed
Without interruption Stanley heard
the relentless tale once more, from
beginning to end-the tale of his be
trayal. When it was done he sat
motionless for time. Presently he
fumbled in his pocket. produced Il let
ter, and read in d shaking voice:
Dear Old Man: | haven't seen YOU
for so long. Come and lunch with
me on Wednesday. We've lots tc
talk about. Faithfully yours, Rollin.
Faithfully mine" he muttered. He
returned the letter to his pocket and
sat with glowing eyes staring into