The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-08-24
CHAPTER II-Continued

.houIdn't call il that"

Perhaps not, but anybody else
would"
Look here, Rolly," she retorted
'all ! ask is that you shall make good
your promises to me. You can't do
that and marry Doris Colby. or any
other woman. If you don't make good
must protect myself in the only way
can. If you call that blackmail. |
don't Anyhow, that's what mean
10 do"
And you think she will take your
word against mine?'
I'm sure of it."
There was conviction in her voice.
but he only answered: "Try it."
The girl sat down and crossed her
knees comfortably. She contemplated
the tip of patent leather shoe refiec-
lively, before she continued:
Your memory isn't very good, is It,
Rolly dear?"
"How's that?" he said.
IT'S true" she went on, "you have
written me no letters lately, but at
tirst you were not so cautious"
And you have kept them? You
designing little brutel"
YES" she murmured. Disgusting,
dsn't itf Such bad taste. How ii
must offend such fastidious soul as
yours"
Now, Waterman was no fool. He
knew when he was beaten, and the
concentrated bitterness in the girls
voice convinced him of his defeat He
trimmed his sails.
''You don't know Doris Colby very
well, ] think" he said with touch of
irony. 81 fancy your psychology is a
bit behind the times Doris is dis
tinctly up to date. Don't imagine she
expects her future husband to be an
angel of light with downy, spotless
wings. She knows her way about
She knows that men are flesh and
blood, and it's been a long time since
she believed that Santa Claus came
down the chimney"
THAT may be-" responded Nina, lit
tie daunted. but | imagine that M
relish frst-class, first-page breach
of promise scandal which she could
read on the way to the altar of st
BarthOlOmew'S."
Waterman considered again. He
was not altogether unprepared for this
development Indeed he had prepared
a definite defense against it. Now be
fired the opening gun of that defense
1t would be unfair to him to say tina,
he embarked upon this course with
out regret, but in view of all the cir
cumstances surrounding his present
position he felt driven to it.
"Al right, them" he said, lets
come to business"
Il mean to-" said Nina, in a tone
that left no doubt of her intention.
Go to Miss Colby" said Water.
man, land tell her your sad, sad
story"
al mean to-" she said again.
Waterman sat on the corner of
StanIey's desk. CROPPED for support be-
hind him with one hand among the
litter of papers upon the plotting pad
and continued: "GOod, don't leave out
any narrowing details, put them all
in, mental anguish and everything
Don't leave on, anything that will
wiring her tender heart with pity and
stir her to anger against the wretch
who has mistreated you. Go ahead.
rub II in. pile 1t on. go as far as you
like"
Nina shifted. Don't worry about
that; III attend to the details"
Splendid, splendidl have only
one slight suggestion to make as to
the construction of your scenario"
'ADd what's that?"
81 don't like the name of your VII
tain"
You ought to, It's your own"
Yes, that's the point"
."What are you getting at?
.sl suggest that you strike out the
name of ROlIin Waterman and substi
tute the name of James Stanley"
'Wbat?"
Precisely"
"You want me to tell Miss Colby
that il is Stanley, and not your"
Exactly"
Nina had been startled to her feet
by this unexpected turn. Now she SAT
down again suddenly. "Well," she
said, little breathlessly, "of all
the Perhaps you will tell me why
on earth should do that?"
''I'll tell you with pleasure" said
Stanley's friend Because you're a
business woman. Look here now. II
you tell Doris Colby the truth. you'll
get nothing but revenge on me-"
Il expect to get something for not
telling her the truth"
well, you won't get it."
"No?"
mo. because haven't got It."
She opened her mouth to speak, but
he 5nrried on: "No. listen-I'm prac
fica.IY down and ont +"