Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1916 — A PLATONIC PLOT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A PLATONIC PLOT

By GERALD PRICE.

The Bentons were always called a devoted couple and nobpdy had any idea of the unhappiness that TOta’s artistic temperament occasionally caused his wife. Tom Benton was a famous architect, who secured his success by a combination of hard work and genius. But genius carries with it a liability to the artistic temperament, as everyone knows. Tom’s work carried him about a good deal, and thus friendships of a transitory character wdre formed in which Mildred Benton had no share. Recently Tom had been raving about Mrs. Lagarde. He had built a house for her husband, who had died just as it was nearing completion, leaving his wife with the house and very little else. Tom’s sympathy for the pretty young widow of six months was outspoken. Mildred, making discreet inquiries, discovered that Hilda Lagarde and her husband had not been happy; also that Mrs. Lagarde had youth, a wealth of blonde hair and dark, expressive eyes. Mildred Benton knew that her husband was loyal to the core. He always came back to his allegiance after these

platonic infatuations, and the only aftermath was a little extra devotion, following upon a few days of slight estrangement. That was generally all that told her that some passing fancy had captivated her husband’s brilliant imagination, and Tom knew that she knew it When his first enthusiasm about Hilaa Lagarde was followed by an equally striking silence Mildred Benton knew all was not well. All was far from well, for Tom’s platonic infatuation was rapidly developing into a serious thing. Gossiping women spoke of Tom and Hilda. Mildred went to Joe and Jenny. Jenny was Joe’s wife, and Joe was Tom's twin. The only noticeable thing by which they could be distinguished was that Joe had a mustache, while Tom had none. Joe had a business and was not in the least brilliant, but he had no platonic tendencies at all, and Jenny and he adored each other. Mildred had never hidden from them any of her husband’s shortcomings. "It’s dreadful, Joe,” said his sister-in-law. “Of course, I’m not jealous, like some women, and I know he’ll come back to me, ashamed of himself, in a few weeks, but I hate to think that my husband can find any woman attractive except myself, especially that widow.” “Why don’t you make her acquaintance?” asked Jenny, "What! That creature? Why, I—l couldn’t respect myself if ever she set foot inside my house.” Joe and Jenny had a long talk with Mildred. They pointed Out the necessity of taking action. In fact, they had both heard that Tom’s infatuation was a serious thing, though neither told Mildred of that. In the end Mildred succumbed to their suggestions and placed herself in their hands. Mrs. Hilda Lagarde received a letter the next day, written in the nicest vein. Would she give the writer the pleasure of her company to dinner on the following evening at seven o’clock? Mrs. Benton had heard so much about Mrs. Lagarde from her husband that she felt they ought to know each other. Hilda Lagarde read the letter very JShe She knew that her conduct with Tom had not been entirely discreet. She was as much an 'adventuress as a woman of her type could be. She had married the rich old man for his money. After he died the shock of discovering that the money was hardly .existent had infuriated her. She had been left with the big house on her hands and Tom's sympathy had first touched and then interested her. When she discovered that Tom was rich, and he and his wife did not agree, she had let herself indulge in thoughts of catching Tom. But above all she was discreet. She had attained to social success in spite of the misfortunes of birth. She would not let that slip. Not for worlds would she have endured publicity. She

had often wondered what sort of woman Mrs. Benton was. She must see her, spy out the land before she could go further. Trick or no trick, therefore,. Mrs. Benton’s letter afforded her opportunity. She wrote a pleasant acceptance and set out in a borrowed automobile from the suburb in which she lived. At seven o’clock precisely Hilda Lagarde, gorgeously attired, was admitted into the Benton apartment by a neat servant, who respectfully took her cloak and hat from her and preceded her along the hall toward a closed door. Hilda Lagarde was almost at the door .when she stopped aghast as a shrill scream rang out from behind it “How i’ire you lay your hands on me, you monster!” “I’ll show you now! I’ve stood for you long enough. Take that for a -lesson ! ” The terrified woman, rooted to the doormat, heard the thud of a man’s fist upon a soft object, and then a heavy fall. Faint moans ensued. “I told you what you’d get some day, you jealous old cat!” thundered Tom Benton’s voice. "And if I have any more trouble with you I’ll do for you once and for all.”

“You coward, to strike a woman, let alone your wife! I know why you’ve shaken me. You think you’re going to marry that peroxide blonde of yours. You’re too old for her, with your dyed hair.” “Too old, eh?” screamed Tom. “I guess that don’t matter. At least she didn’t seem to feel any objection when I kissed her yesterday. That woman’s crazy over me and, what’s more, she’s ten years younger than you are. Now stop that squealing, or it will be worse yet for you.”’ ' Hilda Lagarde staggered uncertainly toward the door of the apartment. But the maid stood in the way. “I hope you won’t be frightened, miss,” she said, in her quiet English accent, as if the affair was nothing unusual. “The master’s had a bad day today and taken a little too much. He’ll sober up very quick, miss.” “Oh, let me go,” sobbed Mrs. Lagarde and, rushing past the maid, she somehow found the door. Breathlessly she gained the street. . As soon as the outer door closed the maid ran into the dining room, where Joe and Mildred stood, convulsed with laughter. Joe tore off the maid’s apron and hugged her hard. “You clever Jenny!” he Shouted, and the two began to'db a maxixe round the room. “Be careful of the lamp, Joe,” pleaded Mildred Benton, holding her sides. •“Oh, I wish you could have seen her face!” said Jenny, gasping. The sound of Tom’s key in the outer door sobered them. He came in briskly. “Hello, you folks! Glad to see you all! ”he said. "Mildred, dear! ” He kissed her fondly, and at that moment Mildred Benton knew that the latest platonic infatuation had become dissipated even without her carrying out of Joe’s scheme. “Milly, you look prettier every day,” said Tom. “I’m as hungry as a bear. Hurry up the dinner!” (Copyright, 1916. by W. G. Chapman.)

Stopped Aghast as a Shrill Scream Rang Out.