The Branding Iron - Page 111/142

Woodward Kane pulled at his short, yellow mustache and stared at

Jasper with his large, blank, blue eyes. "As a matter of fact I didn't

call to see my sister, but to see you. I have just come from

Elizabeth. She is at my house. She came to me this morning."

Jasper's fingers tightened on the chair. "She is sick?"

"No." There was a pause during which the blank, blue eyes staring at

him slowly gathered a look of cold pleasure. Jasper was aware that

this man who hated him was enjoying his present mission.

"Shall we sit down? I shall have to take a good deal of your time, I

am afraid. There is rather a good deal to be gone over."

Jasper sat down in the chair the back of which he had been holding.

"Will you smoke?" he asked, and smiled his charming smile.

There was now not a trace of embarrassment, anger, or anxiety about

him. His eyes were quiet, his voice flexible. Woodward declined to

smoke, crossed his beautifully clothed legs and drew a small gray

envelope from his pocket. Jasper's eyes fastened upon it at once. It

was Betty's paper and her angular, boyish writing marched across it.

Evidently the note was addressed to him. He waited while Woodward

turned it about in his long, stiff, white fingers.

"About two months ago Betty came to me one evening in great distress

of mind. She asked for my advice and to the best of my ability I gave

it to her. I wish that she had asked for it ten years ago. She might

have saved herself a great deal. This time she has not only asked for

it, but she has been following it, and, in following it, she has now

left your house and come to mine. This, of course, will not surprise

you."

"It does, however, surprise me greatly." It was still the gentle

murmur, but Jasper's cigarette smoke veiled his face.

"I cannot understand that. However, it's not my business. Betty has

asked me to interview you to-day so that she may be spared the

humiliation. After this, you must address your communications to her

lawyers. In a short time Rogers and Daring will serve you with notice

of divorce."

Jasper sat perfectly still, leaning slightly forward, his cigarette

between his fingers.

"So-o!" he said after a long silence. Then he held out his hand. "I

may have Betty's letter?"

Woodward Kane withheld it and again that look of pleasure was visible

in his eyes. "Just a moment, please. 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 came to Betty's ears on the

evening when she came to me two months ago. Since then there has been

but one possible course."