Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1916 — A BROKEN PROMISE [ARTICLE]

A BROKEN PROMISE

By WILLARD BLAKEMAN

“Walter, you are falling into a pit.” “How so?'*;., “It is a delicate matter for interference. If you were not my ahum I would not expose myself to such a thankless Job. As it is. I am going to incur your enmity in the hope of saving you.” “Were you not my friend, instead of asking you to proceed I would send you sprawling for an imputation against a lovely woman.” “Very well; since I must enter into particulars, I refer to Miss Wallace.” “Do you mean to accuse her of anything evil?" “Not as you mean It,” “Then wherein is she at fault? Perhaps you consider her an adventuress?” “Not that, either.” “Then what do you mean? Speak before I” He raised his clinched fist “I make no imputation against Miss Wallace except that she has a mania for bringing men to her feet and throwing them over her shoulder.” “And you consider that Is what she is trying to do w ith me?" “I believe she Is, though my belief is based on her record, and the evidence is circumstantial.” “Explain.”

“First, I know’ of several cases wh.ere she has infatuated men and turned them down; second, she has no fortune, and her life would be a failure without one. You are unable to take care of her only in the most inexpensive way<” A lover is always, a doubter, and Walter Crane was no exception to the rule. “I will not trouble you for evidence," he said. “I will put the case plainly to her and learn the truth. Should any one malign me to her that is the way I should expect her to meet the charge.” His friend smiled Incredulously. “Shake that sardonic look and speak what you feel like a naan.” “Should any one malign you to her she would not take sufficient interest in the matter to investigate.” “Very well, prove the charge you make against her.” “What charge?” “That she is intending to throw me over her shoulder.”

“To prove that would be impossible.” “Then prove that she has treated others as you claim she will treat me.” “That can be done, but It would not suffice. She would make you believe that you are the only one of the lot to whom she has given her heart.” Stanley, who was trying to save his friend, thought for a few moments, then said:

“I am In a position to give you the best of proof in one case. I will bring you a letter from the sister of one of the victims of this woman you love, a victim whom she drove to put a bullet in his brain. The letter will state what I assert. Then I will tgke you to the grave of that victim, and there you shall renounce this siren, promising me that you. will never see her again.” There was a iQpg silence, which was broken by Crane, who seized his friend’s hand and pressed it He was under too great a strain to speak. “You agree?” asked Stanley.

Crane nodded affirmatively. Within a couple of days the promised statement was produced. It read simply: “Isabel Wallace infatuated my brother, and when he proposed to her she laughed at him. A month later he committed suicide. We gave out that he had accidentally shot himself while preparing for a hunting trip ” Walter Crane turned pale as he read the statement Handing it back to Stanley, he said, “I am ready to perform my part of the agreement” Stanley had come In an auto, and the two went out. and. entering it. the chauffeur was told to drive to the Meadowland cemetery. At the gate they inquired for the location of the grave of Arthur Stanton, drove to it alighted and entered the lot. There, standing beside the grave. Crane promised his friend that he would never see the siren again.

One week'from that day Crane went to Stanley and. after confessing that he had broken his promise, said that Miss Wallace had explained the matter of the suicide to his entire satisfaction. She bad nothing whatever to do with It. ’ Stanley "ooked at bls friend In amazement, but made no reply. “You think I’m weak,” said Crane. “As for you, I know that you’re the best friend I ever had; that you have tried to save me from what you consider a misfortune. There’s a story within a story about this suicide business. If I could tell it to you you’d see how unjust Is the statement of this lady who wrote the letter— lndeed, how abominably she treated”— “Hold on. Walter!” said Stanley. “The lady who wrote that letter is my fiancee. Were she not she would not have given it to me.” “A thousand pardons, dear boy! Not for the world would I” “Goodby. Walter!” “Goodby! It will all be explained In time. I congratulate you on your engagement. Why didn't you tell”— The rest was lost, for Stanley had passed out'of hearing. One month later Crane’s body waa found on the grave beside which he had made his promise with a bullet la his heart