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Show THE THE BRANDING IRON Cy Katharine Newfin Burt OvirifU by Kathaiin M. Burt CHAPTER VIII Corvtinued. 20 Woodward Kane withheld it and gain that look of pleasure was visible In his eyes. "Just a moment, ilea.se. I should like to have my own say out first. I shall have to be brutal, I am afraid. In these matters there Is nothing for it but frankness Your Infidelity has been common talk for some time. The story of it first eame to Betty's ears on the evening when she came to me two months ago. Since then there has been but one possible course." Jasper kept another Rilence, more dlfilcult, however, than his last. His pallor was noticeable. "You say my infidelity is common talk. There has been a name used?" "Your protegee from Wyoming .Jane West." .Jasper was on his feet, and Woodward, too, rose. Jerkily holding up a hand. "No excitement, please," he begged. "Let us conduct this unfortunate Interview like gentlemen, if possible." Jasper laughed. "As you say if possible. Why, man, it was Betty who helped me to Install her here, it was Be-ttwho chose the fuyniahtugs for her apartment, who helped her buy her clothes, who engaged her maid, who gave her most of her training. This is the most preposterous, the most filthy perversion of the truth. Betty must know it better than any one else. Come, now, Woodward, there's something more in It than this?" Jasper had himself In hand, but it was easy now to see the effort It cost him. The veins of his forehead were swollen. "I shall not discuss the matter with you. Betty has excellent evidence, unimpeachable witnesses. There Is no doubt In my mind, nor in the minds of her lawyers, that she will win her suit and get her divorce, her release. Of course, you will not contest " Jasper stopped In his pacing which had begun to take the curious, circling, weaving form characteristic of him, and, standing now with his head thrown back, he spoke sonorously. "Do you Imagine for one Instant, Kane does Betty imagine for one instant that I shall not contest?" This changed the look of cold pleasure in Woodward's eyes, which grew blank again. "Do you mean me to understand Naturally, I took It for granted that you would act as most gentlemen act under the circumstances." "Then you have taken too much for granted, you and Betty. Ten years go your sister gave herself to me. She is mine. I will not for a whim, for a passion, for a temporary alienation, let her go. Neither will I have I think that we can come to an end of this." Woodward unwillingly surrendered the small, gray enevolpe to a quivering, outstretched hand. Jasper turned away and stood near the lamp. But his excitement prevented him from reading. The angular writing Jumped before his eyes. At last tho words straightened themselves. "I am glad that you have given me this opportunity to escape from life that for a long time has been, dreadful to me. Ten years ago I made a disaster of my life and yours. Forgive me if you can and let me escape. I will not see you again. Whatever you may have to say, please say it to Woodward. From now on he is my protector. In other matters there are my lawyers. It is absolutely not to be thought of that I should speak to you. I hope never to see you alone. I want you to hate me and this note ought to make it easy for you. "BETTY." Jasper stared at the name. He was utterly bewildered, utterly staggered, by the amazing dissimulation pracround-eyeticed by this small, girl who had lived with him for so long, sufficiently pliable, sufficiently agreeable. What was back of it all? Another man, of course. In imagination he was examining the faces of his acquaintances, narrowing his lids as though the real men passed in review before him. "Perhaps you understand the situation better now?" asked Woodward cruelly. Jasper's Intense pain ; and humiliation gave him a sort of calm. He seemed entirely cool when he moved back toward his brother-in-law- ; his eyes were clear, the heat had gone from his temples. He was even smiling a little, though there was a white, even frame to his lips. "I shall not write to Betty nor attempt to see her," he said quietly. "But I shall ask you to take a message to her." Woodward assented. "Tell her she shall have her release, but to get it she will have to walk through the mire and there will be no one waiting for her on the other side. Can you remember that? Not even you will be there." He was entirely so that Woodward felt a chill of dismay. "I shall contest the suit," went on Jasper, "and I believe that I shall win it. You may tell Betty so if you like or she can wait to hear it from my lawyer." He put the envelope Into his pocket, crossed the room, and held back one of the crimson curtains of soft-lippe- "Let Us Conduct This Unfortunate Interview Like Gentlemen, if Possible." my good name and the name of a good woman besmirched for the sake reof this impertinent desire for lease. I love my wife" his voice was especially Hebraic and especially abhorrent to the other "and as a husband I mean to keep her from the ruin this divorce would mean to her " "Far from being her ruin, Morena, It would be the saving of her. Her ruin was as nearly as possible brought bout ten yenrs ago, when against the sdvlce, against the wishes of every one who loved her, she made her insane marriage with an underbred, commercial, and licentious Jew. She was seventeen and you seized your opportunity." Jasper had stepped close. He was head taller and several Inches broader of shoulder than his brotlier-ln-law- . "As long as you are In my house, don't Insult me. I am, as you say, a Jew, and I am, as you sny, of a commercial family Hut I am not, I have never been licentious. Is It necessary to use such language? You suggested that this interview be conducted by us like gentlemen." The man who refuses to give her wife that loathes him, liberty to scarcely comes under the definition." "My Ideas on the matter are different We need not discuss them. If read my wife's letter, fm will 14 NEP1II, UTAH S, "Ah t But she doesn't want to believe that, my dear. She wants to believe the worst. It Is her opportunity to escape me." "Haven't you loved her? Have you hurt her?" asked Joan. "God knows I have loved her. I have never hurt her consciously. Even she cannot think that I have." "Why must she blame me? Why do I have to be brought into this, Mr. Morena? Cant she go away from you? Why do the lawyers nave to take it up? You are unhappy, and I so sorry. But you wouldn't want her to stay It if she doesn't love you?" "I want herj I mean to keep her or break her." He turned his back to say this and went toward the window. Joan, fascinated, watched his fingers working into one another, tightening, crushing. "It's another man she wants," he said hoarsely, '"and if I can prevent it, she shall not have him. I will force her to keep her vows to me force her. If it kills her, I'll break this passion, this fancy. I'll have her back " He wheeled round, showing a twitching face. "I'll prove self-assure- d the door. "If you have nothing more to say," he smiled, "neither have I. Goodby." He bowed slightly, and Woodward found himself passing before him in silence and some confusion. He stood for a moment in the hall and, having stammered his way to a cold he put on his hat and went out, Jasper returned to the empty drawing room and began his weaving march. Before he could begin his spinning which he hoped would entangle Betty and leave her powerless for him to hold or to release at will, he must go to Jane AVest and tell her what trick life with his help had played upon her. The prospect was bitterly distasteful. Jasper accused himself of selfishness. Because she cared nothing for the world, was a creature apart, he had let the world think what it would. He knew that an askance look would not hurt her; for himself, secure in innocence, he did not care; for Betty, he had thought her cruelly certain of him. He went to Jane the day after bis Interview with Woodward Kane. It was Sunday afternoon. She was out, but came In very soon, and he stood up to meet her with an air of confusion and guilt. "What's the matter with yon?" she asked, pulling her gloves from her long hands. Her quickly observant eyes swept him. She walked to him and stood near. The frosty sir was still about her and her face was lightly stnng to color with exercise. Her wild eyes were startling tinder the brim of her smart, tailored hat. Jasper put a hand on either of her shoulders and bent Ms head before her. "My poor child if I'd only left you in your kitchen I" Joan tightened her Hps, then smiled uncertainly. "You've got me scared," she said, stepped back and sat down, her hands in her muff. "What is It?" she asked; and in that moment of waiting she was sickly reminded of other moments In her life of the nearlng sound of I'lerre's webs on crystal winter night, of the sound of I'rosper's footsteps going away from her up the mountain trail on sword-llke- , autumn morning. Jasper began his pacing. Feeling carefully for delicate phrases, he told her Betty's accusation, of her purpose. Joan took off her hat, pushed back the hair from her forehead; then, as he came to the end, she looked up at him. Her pupils were larger than usual and the light, frosty tint of rose had left her cheeks. "Would you mind telling me that again?" she asked. He did so, more explicitly. "She thinks, Betty thinks, that 1 have been that we have been ? She thinks that of me? No wonder she hasn't been coming to see mep Sht stopped, staring blindly at him; then, "Tou must tell her It isn't true," she said pitifully, and the quiver of ber lips hurt him. yrrs SMitr'- Sprague Has Eye on McCormick's Seat Col. A A. Sprague (portrait herewith) has been put on the Democratic slate for nomination as United States senator from Illinois to succeed Senator Medlll McCormiek, whose term l'.ilio. Colonel 4, expires March Sprague is Chicago's commissioner of public works. He was born in Chicago In 1870, Is a wholesale grocer, inherited wealth and Is active socially and in ninny local enterprises of a c chnrncter. lie Is Colonel Sprague Q. It. C and saw sen-icoverseas, July, 15)18. to March. MHO, with the One Hundred and Thirty-firs- t division. regiment, Kighty-slxt"Who's Who" (1S)23) says he Is a semi-publi- h i"i.5;;o 'iTP'ffli - He Is best known In connection with his work as head of the hospitalization committee of the American The Legion credits him with Legion. the securing of many improvements. "1 believe that the heart of the American people Is In the right place and that it Is a generous heart," said Colonel Sprague. concerning the plight of the wars' disabled. "Maladministration, not nlggurdliness, hus been at the bottom of the mess In the treatment o( our wounded. The day Is approaching when they will get a new and a square deal. The service men have the right to demand only one thing from their country and that is adequate provision for their disabled comrades. For other things they have only the right to argue and suggest." Pomerene, Special Counsel in Oil Case fitl; I II II I Don't Love Her," Said Joan, Very White. her Infidelity whether she's been unfaithful or not, and then I'll take ber back, after the world has given her one of Its names " "You don't love her," said Joan, very white. "You want to brand her." "By G d!" swore the Jew, "and I will brand her. I'll brand her." He fumbled in his pocket and brought out the small envelope Woodward Kane had handed to him the day before. He stood turning the letter about in his hands as though some such meaningless occupation was a necessity to him. Joan's eyes, falling upon the letter, widened and fixed. "She has written to me," said Jasper. "She wants her liberty. She wants it In such a way that she will fly clear and I yes, and you, too, will be left in the mud. There's a man somewhere, of course. She thinks she has evidence, witnesses against me. I don't know what rubbish she has got together. But I'm going to fight her. I'm going to win. I'll save you if I can, Jane; if not, of course I am at your service for any amends " He stopped in his halting speech, for Joan had stood up and was moving across the room, her eyes fastened on the letter In his hands. She had the air of a She opened a drawer of her desk, took out an old tin box, once used for tobacco, and drew forth small, gray envelope torn in two. Then she came back to him and said, "Let me see that letter," and he obeyed as though she had the right to ask. She took his letter and hers and compared the two, the small, gray squares lying unopened on her knee, and she spoke Incomprehensibly. "Betty is 'the tall child,' " she said, and laughed with catch In ber breath. Jasper looked at the envelopes. They were Identical ; Betty's gray note paper crossed by Betty's angular, upright hand, very bold, very black. The torn envelope was addressed to Prosper Gael. Jasper took it, opened each halt laid the parts together, and read: "Jasper Is dying. By the time you get this he will be dead. If you can forgive me for having failed you In courage last year, come back. What I have been to you before X will be again, only, this time, we can love openly. Come back." "Jane" Morena spoke brokenly "what does it mean?" "He built that cabin In Wyoming for her," said Joan, speaking as though Jasper had seen the canyon hiding-placand known Its history, "and she didn't come. lie brought me there on his sled. I was hurt. I was terribly hurt. He took care of me " "Prosper?" Jasper thrust in. His face was drawn with excitement. "You sleep-walke- r. e (TO BR CONTINt'F.D ) A $650 Pins-Kno- t. Perhaps the most valuable piece of wood ever discovered was recently sold for $r,M by a Ixmlsluna lumber. Jnrk to a traveling showman. This wonderful frenk of nature was discovered In an old pine tree. It Is nothing more than an ordinary knot of the variety often met while chopping off your Yet this extraordinary oh-Jfirewood. d'art Is sn exception, for It represents s perfect meteor-Ukappearance, often mistaken for piece of congealed molasses or the photograph of the moon's face. Thc pxjmmerrt feqpLe , d "Good-afternoon- ," Plrl TIMES-NEW- Atlee Pomerene of Canton, former T'nited States senator from Ohio, a Democrat (portrait herewith), Is one of the special counsel in the oil investigation appointed by President Coolidge, the other one being Silas H. Struwn of Chicago, Republican. Former Senator Pomerene has beeu a prominent figure in the Democratic ranks In Washington. He served as senator from 1V)11 to 102.'!, being in 19122. There defeated for had been ninch talk of Mr. Pomerene as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president, until his defeat in the race for to the senate. This Incident was accepted as eliminating him from the presidential race, but the official report that he would be made counsel In the oil cases has revived talk of the former senator, especially If the legal proceedings to be brought are suc cessful. Mr. Pomerene is a member of the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, one of the best known in Cleveland. He Is sixty years old, a graduate of Princeton and of the Cincinnati Law school. He served as city solicitor of Canton, Ohio, from 1887 to 1801, and was elected prosecuting attorney of Stark county, Ohio, in 18!Ki, serving three years. He was chairman of the Ohio Democratic state convention in 1910, and was elected lieutenant governor on the ticket headed by Gov. Judson Harmon. Love Enters House of Japan's Mikado i The marriage of the prince regent or Japan to the young woman of his I W choice Is an event of world Importance for the reason that for the first time J In history love, as occidentals know and understand It, has been recognized, in Japan. For this is absolutely the first love match In all the court annals of the oldest reigning dynasty existent today throughout the whole world. Love won out at last at the imperial court of Nippon when the marriage of the prince regent with ' J Princess Nagako of Kumi passed Into history. It took a long, long time to turn the trick. This Is the 2,584th year since Kmperor Jlmnni ascended the throne of Yamato and founded the reigning house of Japan. Therefore it took nearly six and twenty centuries for Love to crown Itself the sovereign of sovereigns in the storied empire. "What the Above does, the Below follows," says an ancient saying In Japan. The example set by the regent in his marriage will. In time, revolutionize the fundamental relations between men anil women In Japan. That Is the biggest meaning of the Imperial wedding. In the d.iys of Klder Nippon and to n large extent even In these advanced days there are millions and millions of people In Japan to whom love Is by no means the leading and dominating factor In marriage relationship. The dramatic manner In which the young prince won out In his love match with Princess Nagako has simply revised the point of view of these millions of bis people. T. I t Doheny, an "International Oil King" Laurence Doheny (porrevealed by the oil Investigation In congress to be one ; of the "oil kings" of the world is a "petroleum producer." He was born 0 In 18.-.In Fond du Lac. Wis., and was gratidated from Its high school In 1H72. He was a prosjMTtor for gold nd silver for twenty years his biography In "Who's Who" does not state where or with what success. In 18!t' he became a prospector for petroleum ; evlih-ntlhe struck oil. for he began producing petroleum the same year, lie discovered several oil districts In California and oil field In Mexico. He hrs organized several companies to handle Ills properties and product. He served In 1017 as a member of the on oil of the council of national defence. Ills Interests nre International and the of bis operations ) verv largo lie figures la the Investigation as a lessee of Callfornic. naval oil reserve. It has been Mr. Doheny's policy to emFor exploy prominent men to look after various phases of his Interests. ample, he pii Id the law firm of W. (l.McAdoo fl.vi.rwin to look after some matters In connection with hi Mexican Interests. Having plenty of money, he win generous with It. For exan.ple, he loaned former Secretary of the Interior Fall ?K'.si0 to purchase an addition to his big New Mexico ranch. The oil Investigation In congress has already been replete with sensations are promised In politics ns well as in the oil business. and tin MORE MILK USED IF OF HIGHEST GRADE The dairyman is interested In the greater consumption of milk and he Is also Interested 4n the production of milk, as it Is a contribution to Increased sales of his product. In the production of milk it Is necessary for us to take every precaution because milk very readily absorbs odors from the barn and elsewhere and Is quite easily contaminated If milk were consumed by bacteria. within a few hours after production, we would not have a very difficult The fact Is, however, that problem. our milk Is often transported long distances and Is not consumed until twenty-fou- r to forty-eighours after production. This necessitates great core In handling the product. The usual methods employed of checking on the sanitary condition of a milk supply are the sediment test and the bucteria count. Marked sediment in the milk indicates that it was produced and cured for under unclean conditions. When a high bacteria count Is found, it Is taken as an indication of either old milk or milk produced under unclean conditions. A low bacteria count Is desired because it denotes sanitary conditions all along the way from the cow to the consumer's table. ' It Is wrong to believe that high quality milk cannot be produced unless expensive barns and equipment are employed. High quality milk can be produced under average farm conditions, but it requires precautions each and every day. The final bacteria count In milk is the sum of the bacteria coming from the udder of the cow, plus the number gaining admission after the milk Is drawn from the udder and the natural Increase that has taken place before the count Is made. The means for the dairyman then to employ Is to cut down to the very minimum the number of bacteria gaining admission to the milk after It is drawn. This Is simplified If the cows are clean and kept In a sanitary barn. Also, this count Is reduced by handling the milk only In sterilized containers and exposing It to the air the shortest possible time. To cut down the natural increase of bacteria, we should keep the milk under conditions of low temperature. This has a controlling effect upon the multiplicaB. W. Fairbanks, tion of the bacteria. Colorado Agricultural College. high-grad- e high-grad- e Feeding Dairy Calf Is Important Bit of Work Always weigh the feed. Avoid overfeeding, overfeeding Is sure to result In scours. Be scrupulously clean. Clean pens, clean bedding and clean feed fed I vessels that are washed and sterilized! dally are absolutely necessary. Give them plenty of clean water to drink. In feeding milk or gruel use a thermometer; don't guess at the temperature. Between 90 and 100 degrees Is: about right. Watch the condition of the At first appearance of scouring or offensive odor, reduce the feed and treat for scours. Be regular In the various operations performed In caring for the calves. Tie the calves up so they can be fed separately. Give them as much exercise as poscalf's-bowels- ex-fe- . sible. What Mangels Are Worth as Feed for Dairy Cows Mangels are a good feed for dairy About 00 per cent of the dry material In them is digestible. According to experiments that have been carried on, when such feeds as bran or oats are worth $30 a ton, mangels are worth about $4 a ton. When hay is worth $18-2mangels are worth around $3 per ton. It requires about two tons of mangels to equal one ton of corn silage. Cows weighing 1,000 pounds may each be fed from BO to CO pounds or more of mangels dally. The best method of storing mangels for winter use Is In pits or root cellars. cows. 0 d Kdvvard trait herewith) . Dry Cows Need as Much Care as When Producing The old practice of turning cows Into the stalk field In winter after they go dry Is no longer followed by the wise farmer or dairyman. Stockmen have learned dry cows need as much care In winter as they do when they are producing. The end of the lactation period Is when cows need good feed snd extra care to build up the body In preparation for another season. (Jive them good warm shelter at night, at least. Many Dairymen Neglect Ventilation of Stable Many dairymen disregard ventila.Vome barns are built tightly tion. and make no provision for circulation of air. The average cow rfpiires about 00 cubic feet of air per minute. A flue one foot by two feet. Inside measurements, will remove the foul sir given off by ten cows. The slxe necessary for larger and smaller herds of dairy cattle may be figured on th same basis. ' |