“Templeton,
I am your friend; take my advice and don’t go.”
“O
bosh! What harm can it do?”
“It
mightn’t do any and it might. Keep away and you are sure to be safe.”
“Pshaw!
I’m only going for a few days. Old Grayson won’t know me from Adam. I can palm
myself off as her cousin and have a good, quiet little time. She wouldn’t dare
say anything; besides, I know all her little weaknesses, you know.”
“That’s
it. Templeton, you know her too well. But she’s married now; has a good home
and a trusting husband.”
“Yes,
but what is he? An old codger, full of good wine and dyspepsia, who looks upon
Judith as he would a piece of elegant furniture. I’ll bet you ten to one she’s
dying this very day for someone under ninety to take her out for a row or a
drive. I tell you, Kent, I’m going; let come what will.”
“I’m
sorry, that’s all.”
“Never
fear old boy; I’ve been in many of these and my skin is whole yet.”
“O,
not that I think you are in any danger of losing your skin, but –”
“But
what?”
“Well,
hang it all, there’s a right and a wrong side to it. This woman has passed out
of your hands now. I daresay she is happy in her new life; believes you have
forgotten her and is content with her lot. Besides, what more do you want?
Here’s a score of prettier women than she right here in town ready to fall at
your feet.”
“Ah,
Kent, you were never in love. You have never met that one woman yet or you would understand.”
“If
Judith is that one woman then why in Heaven’s name didn’t you marry her?”
“Ah,
but that would have spoiled everything.”
“What
do you mean?”
“There’s
one for you to marry and one for you not to marry. Besides, she was poor then.”
“Well,
Templeton, I’m afraid I don’t quite understand your interpretation of the human
heart, but I think I do understand your little
weaknesses, and I want you to promise me you will keep away from Ledgemoor.”
“Anything
but that, Kent; the desire is too strong.”
“Very
well; I have warned you.”
“I’ve
heard the warning; I appreciate the motive which prompts you to speak, but go I
must. If it’s to the devil, why it’s my fault. Good bye, Kent.”
“So
long, Templeton.”
That
night the twelve o’clock express for Boston bore Templeton out of the city.
Kenneth
Culver sat in his club room till a late hour musing over his friend’s
departure. He had known Templeton to do many queer things before, but this
outstripped them all, he thought. Templeton, the genteel, to go chasing after
an old, discarded flame; to palm himself off as her cousin under the retired
broker’s very roof.
“Egad!”
Culver reflected, “a spicy adventure to be sure, but dangerous. I never did
understand Templeton, anyway. That was a queer remark, too, about Judith’s
being poor then. I wonder if the
rascal has been losing heavily? O, no; Temp’ would never stoop to that. Of
course, he has Judith in his power, if a past counts for anything, and could
work her handsomely; but pshaw! what a fool to be thinking such thoughts of
Templeton!” and tossing aside his conflicting opinions he strolled in to the
billiard room.
At
Saybrook Junction the midnight traveler was obliged to desert his comfortable
Pullman and wait for an early morning accommodation train. For obvious reasons
we cannot let the reader into the secret of Templeton’s destination further
than to say that Ledgemoor was in a lonely spot between two country villages
nestling among the hills of the Connecticut valley range. It was ten o’clock
when he rang the bell. Judith answered in person. A wave of joy swept over her
face, leaving it firm and pale again.
“Judith!”
cried Templeton, seizing her hands, “are you not glad to see me?”
Her
beautiful face lighted for a moment and she returned the pressure of his hand.
“Yes,
I am glad to see you, Harvey; I am very, very lonely here, but –”
“But
what, dear?” Templeton asked, drawing nearer.
“Mr.
Grayson is so jealous of me; he won’t trust me out of his sight, at times. I
don’t know what to tell him; that is, about your coming,” and she looked at her
old lover appealingly.
“Tell
him I am a long forgotten cousin, just back from India,” and Templeton smiled
into her half frightened eyes.
A
bell was jingling furiously and Judith was obliged to leave him in the hall and
fly up to her husband’s study.
“He
is so exacting of late, you know,” she whispered, flitting away.
While
Judith was gone Templeton reflected upon the possibilities of having a “good,
quiet little time”. If Grayson was jealous of her that was indeed bad. That
Judith still loved him he could see. And
he still loved her; that is, more than he had ever loved any other woman, and
now that he had seen her again it took possession of him double fold. She was
more wholesome and matronly looking than when he had last seen her in New York.
As she mounted the stairs he noticed the firm lines about her waist and
shoulders. The sight thrilled him.
“What!”
he ejaculated under his breath, “go back to New York and call this errand of
mercy a failure? Not me!”
In
a few moments Judith appeared, informing him that Mr. Grayson insisted upon
seeing him immediately.
Templeton
threw aside his coat and approaching Judith seized her hand. “Is there going to
be no opportunity to see you alone, dear? he asked. “No walks, no drives or
midnight rows upon the river?”
She
shrank a little from him, looking up with surprise.
“No,
Harvey, it is neither right nor possible now. He wouldn’t allow me away from
him, besides, I am married now.”
“Yes,
married Judith, but lawfully so? Do you know for sure that Cartwright is dead?
Does Grayson know anything about it? There is a way, dear. I didn’t come
unprepared. Do you see this little vial? It makes people sleep for days. And
here is the antidote. They came from India. There is a way, Judith; an easy,
harmless way.”
Again
the bell jingled, and Judith almost dragged Templeton up the stairs.
Grayson
was suffering from an old complaint and could not descend the stairs. In order
that Judith should be forced to wait upon him all the more he had discharged
the maid so that the only servants available were the cook and John the chore
man.
As
Templeton entered the study the old man eyed him keenly.
“Yes,
you look like her,” he said abruptly, after the introduction; “but it seems
remarkable that I never saw you before.”
“Not
so very strange, either,” said Templeton. “Judith was young when I went away,
and for many years my own brothers didn’t know whether I were alive or dead.”
“You
are exceedingly white for a man who has, er, spent many years in India,”
ventured the old man with close scrutiny.
“Ah,
but I have been back a long time. I had great difficulty finding my friends on
my return. The States have grown rapidly.”
“Yes,
yes,” assented Grayson meditatively, “they have grown wonderfully fast.”
Judith
moved uneasily. It was evident that Templeton’s visit was not agreeable to her
husband.
“Excuse
me,” she asked of the visitor, “but have you had breakfast this morning? I
should have asked you before?”
“I
must confess my dear cousin that I haven’t tasted food since last night.”
“Then
come right down to the dining room,” said Judith rising.
“No,”
interrupted the old man quickly, “serve his lunch here; I will take a cup of
tea with him.”
Templeton
saw that he was to be foiled at every turn. Judith had not been gone long when
he decided to act at once. It was true that he had been in India. It was also
true that in that land of queer arts and sciences he had procured a drug which
would instantly produce a long and harmless sleep.
When
Judith returned she noticed that her husband was apparently enjoying a peaceful
slumber. Templeton threw his cigar in the fire place as she entered.
“How
impolite of him to go to sleep,” she said.
“Not
at all,” responded Templeton carelessly; “you see he couldn’t very well help
it. Drink tea with me, Judith, as he won’t want any for several days. O, don’t
be alarmed –” as she started toward him – “he is all right. Burn this little
powder any time you want him to awaken. Shout to him, shake him, yes bury him
alive if you will, nothing will arouse him but this little drug.”
Judith
faced him. She was alarmed and her better side predominated. Much as she loved
Templeton she could not sanction such a course.
“Harvey
Templeton,” she said, “if what you say is true then burn the drug at once!”
“It’s
too late, dear Judith. He may as well sleep a week as an hour; all conditions
remain the same. He will know absolutely nothing about it when he awakens. To
him it is merely a nap. Listen to me, love –” as she raised a hand – “why
should we not enjoy the bliss of each other’s presence for a few days? Soar
above this damnable existence for a time which is hateful to you. You do not
love him and you do love me, and God knows I love you in return, Judith. I have
dared much for your sake. The joy is all but won, and now will you send me away
without so much as a kiss from your lips?”
She
was deeply moved. Tear drops glistened in her eyes which poured worlds of love
upon him. He attempted to press her to his heart.
“Not
here, Harvey; not in the presence of him whose roof gives me shelter.”
They
descended to the dining room; taking their lunch with them. As they were seated
at the table a noise on the roof of the adjoining veranda attracted their
attention. Templeton sprang to the window. A man was descending by ladder to
the ground.
“Who’s
that?” he asked.
Judith
looked out.
“That
is John the stable man. He’s been repairing the roof of the veranda.”
“Do
the study windows open near that roof?”
“Yes;
directly above it.”
“You
don’t suppose –”
“O,
no; I should have seen him if he had been there. Besides John is too much of a
gentleman to look into windows.”
The
lunch proceeded, and under Templeton’s lively demeanor Judith became her old,
reckless self.
Ledgemoor
was a large county seat, consisting of elegant lawns, orchards, meadows and
acres of deep woodland, the colonial structure itself being nearly hidden by
immense fir trees. An eighth of a mile away glistened a natural pond before which
Templeton stood that afternoon like one entranced. He looked first at the
crystal like waters then at the surrounding shores. No one was in sight. The
desire for a swim overcame his sense of modesty. Thrilled by his newly awakened
love he became as a boy again. Divesting himself of his clothing he plunged
joyously into the miniature lake. He swam about for some moments like a huge
fish, diving and shaking himself at frequent intervals. Then he turned for the
shore where a surprise awaited him. A vagabondish looking wretch was going
through his pockets. Before he reached the bank a revolver was brought in
direct line with his eye.
“Don’t
you come ashore, if you do I’ll drop you,” the robber aid, threateningly.
“If
you want my money take it, but for God’s sake don’t take anything else,” said
Templeton, thinking of his antidote.
The
thief had secured everything of value which he had pocketed when he came across
the two little vials. Templeton rushed upon the bank regardless of the threat.
“Leave
them! Leave them!” he cried.
The
man brandished the revolver and looked exceedingly dangerous. Templeton
stopped. He was trembling like a leaf.
“For
God’s sake take all but leave the bottles; my life depends on it!” he
exclaimed.
“If
that is the case they’re worth money,” said the villain with a chuckle.
“Yes,
yes, I’ll give you one hundred dollars for them.”
“Where
is it?”
“I’ll
bring it to you – anywhere.”
“All
right; ta, ta; I’ll keep ‘em till I see you again,” and with another chuckle he
dashed into the bushes.
Templeton
went nearly distracted. He followed for a few yards calling and pleading for
the robber to halt. Then, when he lost sight he hastily put on his clothes and
made a thorough search of the surrounding woods. It was all in vain, however,
and hourly growing more alarmed he returned to the house. Unless he could
secure the vial he was practically the murderer of the innocent Mr. Grayson. He
deemed it best not to tell Judith. She would alarm the household and possibly
summon a physician, he thought. She noticed his anxious manner, however, and
remarked upon his personal appearance, whereupon he admitted that he had been
robbed by a tramp in the woods.
At
this moment a door leading from the kitchen opened and John the chore man
entered.
“How
dare you!” Judith exclaimed.
“Wait
a moment, Mrs. Grayson, I have a word to say to your guest. Harvey Templeton,
do you recognize these?”
He
held up two small vials. Templeton sprang forward with a cry of delight.
“Back
scoundrel!” and a piece of shining steel checked him a second time.
The
wily chore man put away the vials but kept his weapon in view.
“Templeton,”
said he, “this drama has proceeded far enough. If you wish to save your
worthless neck make me out a check for ten thousand dollars; otherwise I’ll
smash the bottle and the man upstairs will fail to ‘awaken’.”
Templeton’s
countenance fell, and Judith sank almost helplessly into a chair.
“Damn
you!” cried Templeton, “so you are the thief; I’ve a mind to wring your
cowardly neck!”
“Back!
Another step and this thing goes off,” exclaimed the other, convincingly. “Make
out that check and get out of here as soon as God will let you. I will attend
to Mrs. Grayson, who by the way is not
Mrs. Grayson but the wife of that poor devil of an actor Cartwright!”
Judith
sprang to her feet. She had been looking at the chore man as one fascinated. By
a sudden movement he removed his red wig and stood mockingly before them.
“My
God,” exclaimed Templeton, “it’s Cartwright!”
“Yes,”
he replied, “poor old Cartwright; face to face with you at last. It’s time for
you, Templeton, to pay for your fun; a thing you never did. I was content to
stay here unknown as long as she had only Grayson because I knew he would die
soon and then she would be rich. But when you came on the scene I couldn’t put
up with it. Now I’m going to get all the money I can lay my hands on and take
her and skip the country. She can’t stay here, of course, and it’s the best
thing she can do. She’s mine, Templeton, and God knows I love her still. Now
will you write out that check? It’s cheap at that price.”
It
needed no prolonged thought for Templeton to see that he was cornered. Sullenly
he complied with the man’s command, and with one despairing look at Judith who
had hidden her face from view he left the room. Cartwright followed him to the
door.
“You’ll
burn the drug?” Templeton implored.
“Yes,
when we are ready to leave town,” Cartwright replied.
That
night a couple stole away from the Grayson homestead. They were well laden with
money and jewels, and the following day took passage to Liverpool.
Before
Cartwright left he burned the powder, and not long afterwards the study bell
rang so loudly that the cook was obliged to dress herself and climb the stairs
to see what ailed Master Grayson.
Joe Cone,
Cambridge, Mass.
300 words
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