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About Coquille herald. (Coquille, Coos County, Or.) 1905-1917 | View Entire Issue (July 25, 1916)
TH E CO Q U ILLE H ERALD , July 25, 1916 WHO'S GO r Page 3 But there were other and seeming she uttered her protest against his ly more momentous things to claim going away, had seemed to stumble her attention Just then. The “ pros and catch her heel In the rug, and pects” upon which their marriage to Fleetwood had naturally tried to save a certain extent depended were show her from falling. ing a disconcertingly balky tendency, But Ruth could not know this. She and Fleetwood, who bad been over to only saw him holding Estelle In an ap Boston In regard to them, had writ parently ardent embrt.ee, and Estelle ten a rather gloomy letter the day be with her arms wonnd arounl him. fore, telling her that It might be six Her dark eyes wide, incredulous, or eigbt months before they should sb - stood staring at the spectacle; materialize. then with a low cry of pain, she turned He was expected back from his trip and rushed blindly up the stairs and that night, and in order to salve to her own room. his disappointment and signalize his Blair In his dismay at tue sight of home coming, she was arranging a her and the evident significance she littie fete Just for the two of them. placed upon his attitude, was for the NOVELIZED FROM THE SERIES OF PHOTOPLAYS OF Meanwhile, hor mother having fin Instant nonplussed, Incapable of ac ished the note she was writing, tion; but recovering himself a mo THE SAME NAME RELEASED BY PATHE EXCHANGE. caliod a messenger boy and dispatched ment later, flung Estelle almost iCOIYW G H T. 1916. BY MBS. WILSON W OODROW l It to the address upon the envelope. roughly to one side, and dashed n.ad- Then she called up Batson Kendrick ly In pursuit. In vain, though, were all his en niece Estelle here this week,” he ob on the telephone and assuring herself THIRD STORY served. “ Her father Is a visionary that no one was within hearing, held treaties and attempts at explanation. Finally Mrs. Aldon with an air of fellow, generally hard up and I'rq a long and cryptic conversation with The Tangled Web motherly sympathy persuaded him afraid the poor girl has had but few him over the wire. That evening, Fleetwood Blair, on that it was better to defer until morn gayetles In her life. Has It struck A long bobsled loaded with laugh you that young Blair is a trifle atten returning from Boston, found the note ing his efforts to repair the misunder ing, shouting young people whizzed tive in that direction?" he Inquired she had written lying on the table at standing and so induced Mm to leave bis bachelor lodgings and was read the house. down the white, glistening slope like anxiously. “ If There Is No Place Here f or Him, There Is None for M el” a runaway express train. Mrs. Alden’s Hardly was he out o the door, how "Really, I had not noticed it,” Mrs. ily deceived into believing It was from The engineer half recoiled. “ You house party at Tuxedo wan enjoying Alden’s Ups stiffened a trifle disap Ruth. ever, before "Ruth experienced a re elation with Fleetwood Blair, and this mean— ?’’ he gasped. Tearing It open hastily, Blair read: vulsion o f feeling. After all she told he played to tbe limit. the opportune snowfall. provingly. The mining engineer on his return She nodded. Fleetwood Blair, flushod from the “ Nevertheless, I am of the opinion \ Fleetwood Dearest: You must not let herself, It was only fair to hear what from Alaska, would, for his own peace The three days’ battle which Bat exertion of helping drag a heavy that something will develop between yourself be disappointed over the Boston he had to say. of mind, hare gladly avoided any en son Kendrick fought upon the stock “ bob" back up the hill, spied a couple those two,” he urged. “ And now,” matter. I would wait for you until In this frame of mind, she was exchange single-handed, against the of boyo with a small sled who had she glanced across at him, “ tell me Doomsday, if necessary. And, besides, it awaiting his arrival the next morn counter with his old sweetheart. may be all for the beet. I-ast night Bat This, however, Kendrick would not pool of rivals which had been organ stopped on their way home from coast what are your arrangements for your son Kendrick was playing chess with ing, when a maid brought her word al ow. Blair had made more than ised against him, ranks in historic In ing to watch with solemn curiosity the trip to Palm Beach?” mamma, and I overheard him say that that Estelle Abbott desired to see her. good on the Alaska trip and had terest with some of the old-time pranks and antics of the grown-ups. Ruth hesitated, more than half In But before Kendrick could comply, he needed a man for some important “ Let me have the flyer, kids.” Blair the door to her sitting room was flung work in Alaska. " I f Blair were at liberty, clined to refuse; but Estelle, covertly shown such a high order of general Gould-Flske melees. Desperately he met the onset of his sprang toward them. “ Here, I’ll pay open and Ruth and Fleetwood Blair he would be just the man,” he said, "and abetted by Mrs. Alden, had taken no capability that Kendrick had Installed the Job would he worth a thousand dol rent for it In advance,” tossing over appeared hand In hand on the lars a month to hint, but I will not risk chances on being denied, and follow him as his personal advisor and chief foes. But now the last stand was lieutenant. Seeking distraction from made. The floor of the exchange was a half dollar. And without waiting threshold. sending any new bridegroom on this af ing almost on the heels of the maid. his domestic troubles, the millionaire In a turmoil. No one yet had time to fair. The chap who takes it has got to for any further negotiations, be caught "Wish us happiness, mother," the have all his Interest in the work." “ Don’t turn away from mo, Ruth,” had plunged into a gigantic copper reckon where he stood in the wild the rope out of their hands, and hur girl cried exuberantly. “ Fleetwood I rather think, though, that he is going she pleaded hysterically. “ It Is bet ried to the summit where the group and I are engaged." to approach you with an ofTer, and If he ter that you should hear what I have speculation which was, In effect, an at swirl of operations. Failures and sus tempt to corner the market, and in pensions of smaller houses were be does, I would certainly accept the com to say; for I tell you frankly that with which he had come trudging up For once, Mrs. Alden lost her suave mission, this he leaned heavily upon the clear ing announced every moment. Then and agree to remain single dur the slope were taking their places on poise. ing the time you are engaged upon it. Fleetwood Blair is not worthy of you vision and valuable counsel of the the bell rang sharply. A sudden si the bobsled for another trip. Her eyes were fixed In a glare of You could quit him, of course, the mo —not worthy of either of us, for that younger man. lence descended on the shouting, ges "W alt a minute, R ath !" He singled despairing rage upon Blair. She lift ment the Boston people decide to go matter. But as between us," her Reasoning then that the sight of ticulating throng of brokers. Every out from among them a dark, strik ed her hand and pointed toward the ahead, and in the meantime, so long aa voice broke, and she sadly bowed her we have to wait anyhow, you may aa Blair’s bucccss and prestige would bo body sensed what was coming. And ingly pretty girl In a scarlet cap and door with a gesture not to be mis well be drawing that salary. head, “ mine is the stronger claim gall and wormwood to Ruth, he had then the formal notice was read out Jacket—the daughter of his hostess. taken. I am sending this to your rooms so that upon him.” never rested happily until he had The great house of Batson Kendrick "You and I are going to try It alone Involuntarily Blair took a step back you may be prepared in case he ap Something In the tone arrested brought them into contact, managing proaches you this evening, as I under & Co. had gone to the wall. this time." ward, then baited and glanced toward stand from mamma that he is to be at I Ruth's attention, and leaning forward, Hatless, ooatless, his eyes bloodshot, Blair swung his small sled around Ruth. Instantly she moved over to the house to finish their game. Mean- j she caught Estelle by the chin and one day by a ruse to have them meet In his office. and his face working convulsively, the to the track, assisted her to a place his side and thrust her arm In his. 'time. I am waiting and longing for you forced the girl’s face up to meet the Both of them withstood the ordeal man who three days before had been Devotedly, RUTH, j searching gaze she bent upon It. forward on It and settled himself at , “ I f there’s no place here for him, every second. unflinchingly. one of the biggest powers on "the the back to steer. then there is none for m e!” she cried. Then as she read there the confli ¡na Blair gave vent to a tow whistle as After that he made it a point to street” was up in his office struggling “ I simply had to have a chance to Then with her head held high, and he finished. tion of what she suspected, she fell have Blair frequently at the house. almost Insanely with a little group of speak alone with you away from that her arm linked in that of her lover, Little did he dream how carefully 1 back with a sharp exclamation. So the situation moved on to its supporters and clerks who tried In cackling crowd,” he was murmuring she passed out of the room and from -baited was the trap into which he was “ O h!" she cried. “ O h!" and bury Inevitable denouement. One evening vain to restrain and quiet him. At "I can t keep It back any longer, and the house. ing her own face In her hands, she when Blair was there for dinner Ken last he broke loose from them and walking with his eyes open. although It’s little enough I can oiler Mrs. Alden tottering to a chair, On arriving at Mrs. Alden's, he was turned away, while Estelle satisfied you now, dear, if you are willing to sank down weakly Into It and gave -shown into the drawing room, where at what she had accomplished, crept drick proved so persistently offensive rushing out the door was lost In the that Ruth in self-defense finally rose crowds along the streets. start on love and a stout heart—” way to tears. he found Kendrick and also, some- from the room. in the middle of some remark he was In the same moment in a building In the ardor of the moment he Finally the telephone upon a near Iwhat to his surprise, Estelle Abbott. When Blair called a little later on, launching at her and left the room. not half a block away, Ruth, heavily quite forgot to steer. They struck a by stand rang. Listlessly Mrs. Alden ) He greeted the girl pleasantly, but he m s Informed that Miss Alden Kendrick caught up with her half veiled, stood back from the ticker bend In the course, and, swerving oft took It up. But all at once her ex .the two had hardly an opportunity begged to be excused from seeing him. across one of the big reception rooms over which she had boon leaning at right angles to the track, dashed pression changed, a gleam of anima to exchange more than a half a dozen Needless to say, Mrs. Alden lost no on her way to the stairs, and threw tensely for the last hour. headlong Into a great piled-up drift. tion returned to her eye. ¡words before her uncle seized upon opportunity to widen the breach, and himself In front of her to bar her It was In the private office of the Like a couple of grotesque figures "Listen,” she whispered to Ken 'him and drew him to one side with on the evening of Blair’s departure, further progress. leader of the rival pool, and as she they emerged. drick. “ They have gone to Peace Al- | "By God you’ll understand that you stood back, she turned to him and one Fleetwood did not permit the mis den's in New York— Ruth's maiden l can’t flout me in front of one of my or two enthusiastic associates. adventure to baffle him. aunt, you know—and Peace is trying employees," he ordered hoarsely. "W ell," she said, “ it’s over.” S h e , “ Ruth,” he repeated, as he floun to get me to come there and consent “ You go back to the dining room.” pushed back her veil as she spoke dered toward her, “ will you marry to a reconciliation. She faced him with a reckless defi and they wondered to see her so me?” “ It’s the only thing to do,” she de ance and laughing mockingly at his composed. Such persistence deserved to be re cided impulsively. “ Otherwise, Peace commands, taunted him with his In “ Yes,” said the leader of the pool, warded. says, they are planning to rush ofT to “ It is over, Mrs. Kendrick, and the ability to master her. While Fleetwood and Ruth Alden, Jersey City or some other impossible “ You bought me ’’ she Jeered, " I’m result is largely due to you.” out there In the snowdrifts, Innocently place and get married tonight; where He laid a folded slip of paper on yours, a slave you bid In on the auc and happily “ plighted their troth," as, by seeming to yield now I can tion block. And yot you can’t man th j table before her. “ This is a check Mrs. Alden and Batson Kendrick sat gain time.” age me. The thousands of dollars I which I have made out to your order," together ovor a game of chess and In Batson Kendrick’s big, luxurious waste for you each year are so much he said, “and I have left the amount schemed. limousine, which he had placed at her dead loss. How that must wring your blank. You may HU It In for any suss Both Mrs. Alden and Kendrick were disposal with himself as an escort, up to a million.” soul!” "practical persons," and there was lit she outlined the plan of campaign. She nodded carelessly, but made no "Can’t manage you, ell?” ho snarled, tle necessity for words between them, When she alighted at Aunt Peace his lip drawing back from his teeth. move to take It up. Then after a few Mrs. Alden was a society mother Alden's old red brick house down on "Can’t? So that’s what you think, Is moments of further conversation, she with a hall-mark position as unques Washington square and gave him her It? Well, I ’ll show you what I can left the office. It was not until after tionable as the "sterling” on silver, hand at parting, there was a light in her departure that they discovered do— I’ll show you!” but somewhat bard put to It to support her eyes as if she already foresaw His flat suddenly clenched, he saw that she had left the check still lying It with the essential finances. victory. red, and In a spasm of blind fury, he on the table. Kendrick, on his side, wanted a Hastily she subdued her manner, struck at the lovely, taunting face up Out at the entiance to the building, wife—not a companion or helpmeet however, as she rang the bell and was she found Blair waiting for her. He raised to him. fitting to one of his years and settled admitted by the gray-haired old butler. She swerved, but not enough to caught her by the arm and guided her Mrs. Alden made a most effective avoid the entire force of the blow. It swiftly to a limousine which stood be entrance. Her expression one of ma sent her reeling, staggering to the side the curb. ternal solicitude, she started eagerly floor. He gave simply the direction “ Up toward her sister-in-law; then halted, Kendrick stared a moment at what town," to the chauffeur, then stepping as If Just coming to a realization of he had done; then with a muttered In beside Ruth, turned to her eagerly the presence of the young people. oath flung himself out Into the hall, as the car moved forward through the For a moment she stiffened, but ap- and catching up his hat and coat crowded streets. She stayed him with 6he Saw Him Holding Estelle In an Apparently Ardent Embrace, j patently conquering herself, turned rushed from the house. quickly uplifted hand. with the semblance of a rush o f agl- the muttered excuse to Estelle that as she came upon Ruth sitting hard, Meanwhile Blair at the table had “ Don’t, Fleetwood," she begged, tatod feeling and clasped her daugh- he wanted to discuss a little matter and dry-eyei by an open window, she1 waited in vain for the return of one "Don’t.” o f business with Mr. Blair. ' ter in her arms. was thrilling inwardly with triumph.' or the other o f them. But he was not to be denied. Ear “ My ltttle girl," sbo murmured bro- As the two men stepped away to "Ah, my dear, don’t grieve for him," Finally he pushed back hts chair nestly he pleaded with her to obtain a | kenly. gether, the servant who had admitted she purred. “ He was never deserv and started to take his loave. divorce and come away with him to a I There was Just the right admixture Blair appeared to Inform him that ing of you. The older you grow, too, As he passed through the hall, how of humility and surrender in her man Ruth was still dressing, but would be my daughter, the more you will learn ever, he was arrested by a sound like new life. For all the Impression that he made though, he might have been ner as she extended a relenting hand down almost Immediately. that all men are alike. Money Is the k stifled sob from the reception room talking to a marble statue. to Blair. A t last, though, all ready, and a only thing that counts In this world.” hnd glancing in through the open door "Oh, can’t you understand?” she “ You will let me have her for Just radiant girlish vision, in her shim Ruth stirred from tho apathy of her way, was startled to see his hostess broke out at length, "When one has a little while longer, won't you?" she mering gauzes and tulles, she came pose. on her hands and knees on the floor. been as I have in the grip of great, coaxed with a wistful smile. "You’ll tripping down the stairs and hurried "Is Batson Kendrick here this eve She tottered weakly and would have crushing forces, all this sounds pitiful give me the satisfaction of seeing toward the drawing room to find ning?” she usked Irrelevantly. “ I fallen if Blair bad not been In time ly trifling and inane. Love! Protec her married from under my own roof, Fleetwood. thought I heard him announced a bit to catch her and ease her gently down tion! Soft endearments!" her lip with a proper trousseau, and a flock But as she crossed the hall, her ago.” upon a sofa. curled. "They were all the world to of pretty bridesmaids, and a cake mother with appr-rent unpremftdlta- Then when Mrs. Alden answered In “ Mrs. Kendrick! Ruth!” gasped me once but now they don’t arouse and all the rest of it. A girl can only tion intercepted her and during the the affirmative, she arose and with a Blair. “ What on earth has happened?” even a thrill. Do you think that a have one wedding, you know— Fleet- momentary pause, the sound of reckless, bitter smile sauntered down "He— he struck m e!" she explained woman can pull down all the pillars wood." Voices reached her from beyond the to her mother’s slttftig room. brokenly. o f her temple of life about her and "O f course, he will,” Aunt Peace drawing room door. Two men were "You paid 112,000 for Fleetwood "Struck you?" Blair sprang to his ■till remain the same? I tell you that Insisted, beaming at them from speaking. Blair I believe, Mr. Kendrick. Now feet. I am dead here,” and she struck her “ You agree then to accept the $12.- what price do you offer for me? You Ruth caught at his band. •‘ Fleetwood Blair Is Not Worthy of among her pillows over her success self on the breast; “ my heart la as as an exponent of her name. 000 and remain unmarried as I re will have to bid higher than $12,000 "You cannot do anything now,” she Either of U sl” cold and hard as a stone.” So It was Anally arranged, after a quire?” It was the curt, business though. I tell you that before you ■aid, “ he has gone away." She was silent a moment as be drew habits, but merely to serve as an ex discussion in which Mrs. Alden cun like voice of Batson Kendrick, his tone begin." Blair turned at her touch, a flood of back, scarcely knowing how to taka ningly managed to get Aunt Peace to raised slightly as If for emphasis. hibition of hts wealth. The millionaire glanced at her ques- old emotions pouring back upon him, After Inspecting the season's flock cast the deciding vote that the mar "I agree to your terms, Mr. Ken tlonlngly appraising as he did so tbe and flinging himself down upon his her outbreak. Then she spoke with a of debutantes he had definitely fixed riage should be deferred for six drick, and will promise to remain curl of the lip. the smoldering fire In knees beside her caught her In his ¡certain note of weary appeal. "It Is useless, Fleetwood," she shook his choice upon Ruth, and the matter months, or until the young mining en ■ingle.” her eye, the defiant swagger In her arms. gineer had a chance to determine was supposed to be settled. Her lover? Oh, no; It could not be. manner. “ Oh, my darling!" he groaned. her head, “ Absolutely useless. Leave I want to be But at this Interesting Juncture what advantage might lie In certain Why, this man war no better than a "It s only the result o f this upset j “W hy— why did you ever marry him?” me here, won’t you. Fleetwood Blair bad chosen to In "prospects" of which he told them. Judas. ■he’s been through,” he said to him- | There had never been any chancs alone." Blair bent a long glance of scrutiny One day as she was leaving the Kendrick spoke again from behind self. “ That and maybe this sudden I ¡for explanations between these two trude. Credit must be given Mrs. Alden house for a walk. Ruth stopped for a tbe drawn curtains. hot spell we re having. She’ll come ¡before; but now that the opportunity upon the face she turned toward him; for shrewdly scenting the danger in moment to ask her mother a question. “ Then I suppose you will have no around all right, once she’s settled had come and their lips unsealed, It and as he gazed, the hopes he had the situation as soon as It appeared. Mrs. Aldon was seatdH at her desk, abjection to starting for Alaska this down and knows Just whers she did not take them long to piece out cherished died within him. She was right. The girl he had Not once did she raise any objec so absorbed In a note she was writ week?" he said. stands.” jthe conspiracy which had wrecked known and loved was dead. This woe tion to Blair, or seem to Interfere ing that she was not conscious of the But before Blair could make an But therein Batson Kendrick mad i their happiness. with the freedom of association be girl's presence until Ruth stood behind swer, Ruth was startled by hearing the one great mistake of his life. Ruth As the full Import of the wily game only a hard, bitter, disillusioned woman tween him and Ruth. And Kendrick her. another voice—the shrill, almost de did not "come around." She never as which her mother and Kendrick had In whom It would be as difficult to Then she started almost guiltily, spairing cry of a woman played up skillfully to her lead. his wife s.llc'ved him to forget that (played broke upon Ruth, she started arouse a spark of love as to fan Into This snowy afternoon as they sat and quickly turned the half-written "T o Alaska? Oh no! Surely you he had "bought her," and that she ex np, her face grown vengeful and re flame tbe cold ashes upon a dead altar. And. noting the change— recalling cozlly over the chessboard with all sheet over so as to hide its contents. are not planning to send him as far pected him to pay the price. Coldly lentless. "Secrets, eh?" cried Ruth and play away as that?" the young people out of the way over aloof, contemptuous o f herself as she “ He shall not go unpunished!" she the vivid, glowing Impersonation of youth she once had been, the promise on the hillside, they touched cau fully tried to wrest the note away so With a quick step forward, Ruth was of him, she piled extravagance declared passionately. tiously upon the subject uppermost In as to see to whom it was addressed; res» bed the portieres, and flung them upon extravagance until bis miserly’ She clutched Blair’s arm "You she had given of a splendid woman but her mother objected so stoutly both their minds and made plain their k to disclose the sight of Estella soul fairly stood aghast. know his business secrets, do you hood—bU lips Involuntarily framed that after a moment she desisted from plans In a series of Indirections. t r'air's-arms. His only method of revenge, hei not?" she questioned. "You know the the question of bis sorrowing heart: ’WHO’S G U ILTY?’ L’ : a ' ’ ever bit of acting. Estelle as learned, lay In forcing her Into asso^ weak Joints In his armor, how he can “ It was kind of you to Invite my 1 her effort. (END OF TH IRD 8TORY.J be most successfully attacked?" f e M K .W S O N AUTHOR OF "THE SILVER BUTTERFLY,” "SALLY SALT,” “THE BLACK PEARL,” ETC