Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1926-09-10

power TO lower tnem AND so, with
this resolve firmly fixed In his mind
he gave himself up to strange sort
Of despair.
The incomprehensible and incredible
had come to pass. He had fallen in
love with Viola Gwyn at first sight,
that stormy night at Strikers. The
discovery that she was his own half
sister had, of course, deluded his
senses-temporarily, but now he
realized that the strange, primitive in
stincts of man had not been deceived
and would not be denied.
His blood had known the truth from
the instant he first laid eyes upon the
lovely stranger. Since that first night
there had been revelations. First of
ALL Viola was the flesh and blood of an
evil woman, and that woman his NOR
tai foe. Notwithstanding her own
innocence and purity, it was incon-
ceivable that he should ever think of
taking her to himself as wife Sec
ondly, he was charged with double
secret that must forever stand be-
tween him and her: the truth about
her mother and the truth about herself.
There was but one thing left for him
to do-go away. He would wind up
his affairs at once and put longing and
temptation as far behind him as pos
sible.
His wanderings had carried him
through dark, winding cowpaths and
lanes to within O stones throw Of
Jack Trentman's shanty, standing
alone like the pariah 1t was, on the
steep bank of the river near the ferry.
Back in clump of sugar trees 1t
seemed to hide, as II shrinking from
the accusing eye Of every good and
honest man. Kenneth had stopped at
the edge Of the little grove and was
gazing hercely at the two lighted win
dows of the "shanty." He was think
ing Of Barry Lapelle, thinking of the
foul luck that seemed almost certain
to deliver Viola into his soiled and
lawless hands The f1erceness of his
gaze was due to the knowledge that
Lapelle was now inside Trentman's
notorious shanty and perhaps gam
bling.
This evening, as on two or three
earlier occasions, he had been urged
by Barry to come down to the shanty
and try his luck at poker. He had
steadfastly declined these invitations.
Trentman's place was known far and
wide as a haven into which Cleaned
out" river gamblers sailed in the hope
Of recovering at least enough of their
fortunes to. enable them to return to
more productive fields down the
reaches Of the big river.
Kenneth thought he was alone In
the gloom until he was startled by the
sound Of a mans voice almost at his
elbow.
Evening, Mr.. Gwynne."
Whirling, he made out the lank
shadow Of man leaning against
tree close by.
"Good evening" he muttered in some
confusion, conscious Of a sense of
guilt in being caught in the act Of
spying.
"Ive been follerin' you fer quite
ways" observed the unknown. "Guess
you don't remember me. My name is
Stain, Isaac Stain"
II remember you quite WELL" said
Kenneth, stiffly. MAY inquire why
you have been following me, Mr..
Stain"
"Well, jest didn't know of anybody
else I could come to about a certain
matter. It has to do with that feller,
Lapelle. up yander In Trentman's
place. Fust, went up to Mrs. Gwyn's
house, but II was all dark, an nobody
to home 'cept that dog O. her'n. He
kn0wed me er else he'd have jumped
me. Course, sverybody's heerd queer
things about him, but this beats any
thing I've come across yet. Martin