The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-11-16
CHAPTER XI-Continued

Say good-by for me to Rollin, please.
Good-by, dear" and she was gone.
Doris was vexed. She had counted
upon Jim's sister to amuse Rollin in
the course of the evening. Now II
seemed that her chances for tete-
a-tete with Jim were less than ever.
She rang for the maid and even more
hastily than before she continued
dressing.
Downstairs I'm the library, Stanley,
already dressed, was sitting at the
big desk. Wilson stood beside him,
anxious as he never had been before
In all his life For the first time in
his life, also, he found himself in op-
position TO Jim Stanley. He found
himself upon the verge of terrific
adventure He was about to be
plunged into 1t, head first, and the
water was too deep and too cold for
the little man. : However, there was
40 budging Stanley. He was commit
ted TO it, and therefore Wilson. though
terrified at the prospect, regarded
himself as committed also.
VERY WE'LL" Stanley was saying In
a scarcely audible voice. "Now you
are certain you understand?
"Yes," replied the secretary, "in so
far as that goes. But beg you to
reconsider before it's too tate"
Reconsider what? Can anything
alter the facts? No, no. my friend,
retribution shall fall on this mans
bead before the rise of another sum-"
"Oh, sir, I'm afraidl"
"Of what?"
"For you, sir. He's strengths
temper Is violent. If you goad him
to desperation"
That's it-that's 1t" cried Stan
tey THAT'S what I'm going to dol"
'He may kill you"
"Tn take the chance"
"Tm afraid-rm afraid" repeated
Wilson, in a shaking voice.
Stanley glanced once at the door
and then he said: Listen. Frank.
Once In the life of every man there
comes time when he stands at the
crossroads. stand there tonight.
Once the choice is made there can be
no turning back. | have made my
choice-and now-forward march
But I'm afraid I've been selfish In
this thing. haven't thought of you
at all. Yes, yes-there's danger In
this for you. too. More than little
danger. Perhaps l have no right to
expose you TO it" $50
mo, no. Ii isn't that" protested
Wilson.
"Its not too late-yOu had better
leave this house nOw-at once. Then
whatever happens under this roof to-
night, your skirts will be clear"
"No, sir" said Wilson, firmly, eff
you're set on going on with this, I'll
stand by. All the same, sir"
A gentle swish of silk-both men
turned Doris stood In the doorway.
Wilson effaced himself through the
door that led to his tiny office, ad,
joining the library. His heart beat
wildly. He was in for IT now!
"Ah, my dear Doris" cried Stanley,
beaming upon her, "how charming you
lookl"
She spoke with nervous haste.
I've got to talk with you. This is
do it all day but you wouldn't let me.
And ROllin hasn't let me out of his
sight since we came. 1t almost
seemed as if he were afraid to-"
"Surely-surely he's not jealous of
me?"
Perhaps" said Doris, with sigh.
"RolIin jealous of me?" Jim cried
~'His best friend? Incrediblel"
If she suspected irony she gave no
sign-she was too intent on her own
immediate purpose.
"Come closer, please" she muir
INJURED Jim hesitated briefiy-then
he crossed the room and sat down
beside her.
lyon saw - the other day of
course" she began. 81 told you
was happy, but of course you know
better. I'm miserable -
MY dear Doris"
"Oh, don't mean that it's all Rol
Inns fault. don't wish to blame him
for everything. Maybe I've failed
him. don't know how-Pve done my
best. But anyhow it's all no use
Hadn't you guessed it?'
"Well, wondered" he admitted.
He was uncomfortable. An exchange
of confidence had been no part of bis
plan.
sYou saw that he was drunk" she
hurried on. swell. he often is. And
j can't believe him any more. Then
about money! don't begrudge 1t to
him--but he spends large sums in no
time at all-in the market, be says
But there are ways of finding out.
don't spy on him but-things come
TO me that | can't doubt. And he no
longer makes any pretense of being
In love with me-"
Doris this is tragic!"
"Yes, but that isn't all I've got to
say. | must hurry, too-he'll come
down at any moment So don't in
terrupt. Jim" She paused briefly
as if reconsiderIng, but then went on.
81 feel that | must ask your forgive
ness
what for?" he asked in genuine
surprise.
Just before you went to India"
she continued, "a certain person came
20 see me and made an accusation
against you-a shocking accusation"
'SO?"
''Yes-and this Is why ask your
forgiveness. am bitterly ashamed
of it, but more than half believed
stand for that | ask your pardon.
oh, know don't deserve It,"
"Why didn't you give me chance
TO explain?" he asked gently.
81 had given my word of honor not
IN saw word tO Won 0hOuf III "