The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-08-19
Paying for Her
Cruelty
. ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BY MARTHA M. WILLIAMS


4 happily through a gate left care
lessly ajar, it ran after a pair a little
way ahead-a stiff-moying woman
dressed in new garb, as was the small
lad clinging reluctantly to her hand.
Heading the pair, the black dog
wheeled, put paws upon the childs
shoulders, wagging his tail joyously,
and making to lick his face. Instantly
the woman jerked the child away. and
planted kick midway the dogs
length sending the poor beast into
the roadway-and in the path Of
passing car.
Ensued tragedy-an agonized yelp,
then piteous moaning whines. At sound
of them tall girl burst through the
struggling hedge, ran and knelt by the
dying animal, lips quivering but eyes
shooting sparks. The other woman
had halted-the child was crying Bit
terly and said stiffy: SIN right sor-
ry-but you shouldn't have let your
dog attack my baby"
Attack !" the girl said hoarsely-
her eyes adding violently: "You MUIR
derer p But to man who had sprung
from the car, and came toward her,
hat in hand, she said clearly; "Chlo-
roform- please?"
Half minute later, she had her
wish-the man luckily was a doctor,
with an emergency case. AS she held
her hand for it he waved it away, say
ing softly: LET me I'm more expe-
rienced.'
Neither man nor woman stirred till
the last painful culver stilled itself
forever. Then the man fetched robe,
and said gently: Let me take her
home for you"
DIR. John Woodey drove homeward
with extra caution, considering his
daze. He knew the murderer Mrs.
Quintus Moore, half-sister and guard
ian of the girl he had until half an
hour back been wild to marry. She
had seemed to him him half fairy, half
angel wholly tender woman-she had
charm, poise, breeding, exc comfort
able portion. He need not be merce-
nary-he had sound patrimony and
growing practice-so Annette's dover
had appealed to him mainly as sign
manual that she belonged. His wife
must be lady-that was imperative
he meant to go to the very top. Now
he was all unsettled. She could not,
of course, be held to answer for her
sisters cruelty, yet blood told strongly.
Allison house dominated Briarfield
society The crowd it held that eve
ming was fine, fit and gay. Annette
was at the full bloom of her brunette
beauty Almost, Doctor WoOdley's
misgivings vanished, as he held her
close. Then in pause for breath, she
murmured LOUDLY: "Sorry to disap-
point-but l can't show you the new
girl-she sent regret-at the last
minute"
very. very naughty of her. She
must have known | was all set to see
her" Doctor Woodley bantered
Annette giggled softly: "Wait till
you hear her excuse Her dog had died
suddenly! Ever hear the like?' Of
course, we all know it's a tarry- diddle
she really had nothing to wear-sO
can't blame her too much. know her
well-we were together year at Pine
Grove-but l haven't called on her
since she came to the old Wheat
place-inherits it, you know"
whats her name? I've forgotten
if / ever knew" Woodley asked shame
lessly. MORA Wheat-a real story.
book name,p Annette flung back.
T,,,+ +bo., Ilr,,oo Do yar ant II, oruirooT
mendaciously: Doctor Woodley's
wanted on the phone!" Then to An
nette "It's like tell you--doctors are
no good to their wives you'd heap
better say Yes to me"
Woodley was glad of Bruce's Jest
in flight there was safety. Sudden
madness fell upon him, sending him
swiftly to the old Wheat place. A
white moon riding high above the
summer world showed him the house,
dim, deserted. But he had a sense itA
owner was not far away. There was
a white huddIed mass low among the
gravestones at the back of the bios
sonny garden--it stirred at his APP
proach, and MORA said calmly: "You
came because was thinking of you
so hard.'
"What were you thinkingy Woodley
demanded Something unreliable.
was the answer.
"ThenT I'm bound to hear it," from
the man. She shook her head unde-
cidedly, then cried quickly: sit really
doesn't matter-I was wondering if
if Annette Betridge will make you
happy"
Il can tell you-she will not She
won't have the chance"
"Don't lie,' sharply, suddenly stand
ing up Il knew before came here
you two were engaged"
"Then-you know more than do
or ever will" from Woodley. yet it
was in my mind-that l don't deny
until this morning"
"She mustn't have to pay for her
sisters cruelty" MORA cried breath
lessly.