The Ely miner., 1928-11-02

| 10 on J!
A fateful silence followed. Then the
alternating voices went on, steadily,
relentlessly, each syllable beating like
a hammer on Stanley's brain:
"Well-of all the-why on earth
should l do that?''
''Ill tell you. Because you're a busi.
ness woman. Look here now, IL you
tell Doris Colby the truth you'll be get.
ting nothing but revenge on me-"
II expect to get something else for
not telling her the truth"
swell, you won't get it."
"No?"
mo, because l haven't got 1t. Now
listen-I'm practically down and out"
You're member of this firm"
"Nominally, but my interest is so
small it barely gives me decent liv-
ing. Stanley owns the works, he's the
lad with the mOney-always has been.
What's worse, | owe everybody In the
world. I'm short lot of stocks In
bull market-Ill be wiped out tomor-
row If the rise goes on. In short I'm
all in. Only one thing can save me
marriage to a rich woman. And Doris
| Colby is just that-a very rich woman.
| Now you stick by me, and I'll stick"
Silence fell upon the room like
| blow.
"Go on, go on, go onp groaned
Stanley, grinding his teeth, but the
secretary answered:
That's all there is. The cylinder
was used up"
There was a long silence before VIII
son heard, in voice he scarcely rec
ognized: 81 can't believe it | can't
believe my own ears. Rollin. my
friendl"
"It's clear enough, SIR" said Wilson
| quickly. 'Nina Morgan went to Miss
Colby and told her this vile slander.
Miss Colby turned you down and mar
ried Waterman"
81 can't believe It," murmured
Stanley. "Even now l can't believe 1t.
And yet 1t accounts for so many things
little looks and phrases that passed be-
tween 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 happy girl. She
passed 1t 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 monster In her eyes,"
He tossed both hands In the air,
and cried, "By Cd, I'll not sit down
under this!" He crossed the rom in
three strides, seized Wilson by the
elbow with grip that hurt and said.
Look here, tell me everything that
you know about him-I mean, since
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 1t
was the voice of stranger.
'In short, he's betrayed her as he
betrayed me. | knew something was
wrong when l saw her last night, but
never dreamed-how could l have
dreamed?-it was like this. Frank,
what's become of that girl?" he cried
with a sudden burst of energy, "the
Morgan girl, Nina Morgan. d-n her"
81 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"
81 suppose So"
sand you've never seen her SINGER
| "NO, sir, not to speak to-"
Find herl 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. "Come, come, SIR" he said,
you mustn't go on like this. Take
hold of yourself"
''Yes, yes, you're right" said STAN
1 VI.
Now is the time for self-control." But
there was little self-control about him
| "Frank, Frank" he went on. Are
/ you sure I'm awake, and that
haven't dreamed this damnable thing7
For Gods sake tell me it's only a
dream, and that I'm going to wake up
| pretty soOn-that my old friend Is still.
my friend, and that the girl / love is
happy with the man she loves-that
her life and mine have not been
blasted by the wretch l called my
friend"
Wilson swallowed hard at the lump
in his throat as he said, Il wish to
heaven it was dream"
"Start that machine again I" said
Stanley suddenly.
Fearful of its 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 will have vengeance.
For such things cannot be done-no,
else justice must become mockery.
Start that id machine! 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 be-
ginning to end-the tale of his be-
trayal. When it was done he sat mo.
tionless for time. Presently he fun
bled In his pocket, produced letter.
and read in shaking voice:
"Dear old man: | haven't seen you
for SO long. Come and lunch with me
| on Wednesday, Wo'va I0tS to faIl