The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-06-14
CHAPTER XLIII

Perhaps you will when you
read it," :, Bill tossed the letter
on the table. His eyes did not
leave the others face as he read
the message. Then Bill asked.
"What about it,"
Well-what about it,"
"Did my wife meet you yes
terday?"
Con drew cigaret from his
pocket and held lighted match
to. "You haven't questioned
her" he asked.
81 said l came to you. Did
she meet you?"
eyes"
"Why"
Of l were you I'd ask her."
"Pm not asking for advice but
information. Why did she meet
you?"
Because l sent word for her
to-"
"What. right have you to ask
my wife to meet you secretly?
GAS good a right as you have
to demand an explanation from
me-"
"That's no answer"
cts all you'll get--ow."
Bills fists clenched. He felt
an almost irresistible impulse to
smash his fist into the handsome
mocking face before him. 81
don't know the code your kind
lives by" he siad thickly, "but
the day Madeline left the circus
she was through with you and
your standards. She's my wife
now. She'll live according to my
principles and they don't include
relations with other men,"
'Yeah?"
"If you value your skin you'll
pack up and leave this town on
the first train"
and if | don't?"
"Tll find some means to see
that you do"
"a Strong arm stuff. Ell? Bet
, ter consult Madeline before you
do anything she wouldn't like
"Why, damn your Bill lung
ed forward but Con lodged the
blow. He laughed and the laugh
was like q whip lash in Bills face
"a confirmation of all the doubts
that had been gnawing at his
heart since the night before.
"If you don't want a dirty
scandal that you'll be sorry for,
you'd better keep your temper"
the animal trainer snarled. "And
that's no Idle threat. 1 know
she's played you for sucker and
that you're innocent Of the whole
mess, but if you get nasty | can,
too. I've kept my mouth shut
but if you rile me. by God III
drag her into court and let the
devil pay the bill"
II
His words staggered Bill. They
were utterly incomprehensible. A
Scandal--yes, that would wreck
: his life and Madeline's. But what
was this threat about court?
'st'You think you married a pure
little ice maiden," Con went on
relentlessly, his anger mounting
at the scorn he read in the 9TH
er's face. $50 honest that"
Bill's hand caught the neck of
Cons robe. He shook the animal
trainer until his teeth ratified.
"That will do" he repeated. Sur
prised at the sudden onslaught
Con stumbled back against the
WALL knocking over the Suitcase
bench on, which rested an open
valise, The contents, including a
rolled document tied with blue
ribbon, tumbled to the floor.
Black eyes narrowed to mere
Sits. Cont lips become a Grim
son cash in a pasty white face.
"Ask her who Madeline Siddal
married in Louisville before 1000
witnesses" he gasped expiosively.
= "Ask her about the ceremony In
the big top Ask her the name
of the man who stood up with
her"
Revulsion swept over Bill. For
a second the other mans insinua-
tions passed UNDECIDED. Then
slowly it dawned upon him that
ICON had said something of vital
importance, something that shook
the whole structure of mis- mar
riage.
"What do you mean?" he
|Stammered.
Con flung back his head,
laughing tauntingly. Madeline
Siddal married me! Get that?
She married me in the arena
That's, a liew
as it? Here's the certificate
to prove il! Ask her! Ask your
lily-white bride. She can't deny
it. That's why she came when
l sent for -herw He stopped and
snatched' up the rolled paper,
flipped off, the ribbon and dam
gled the certificate before Bills
eyes. "See the names? Made
line Siddaf and Conrad David" :
Bill gave a strangle cry,
flung open the door and dashed
down the hall. He swayed like
drunken man. He had been
prepared for anything but this.
The enormity of it sent him o
bit insane. At the foot Of the
stairs he hesitated, weighing the
ACCESSIBILITY Of returning and
choking the Ifs out of the anil
NAL trainer or going back to the
farm and killing his wife.