Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 14.pdf/64

 A Sequence in Crime. her very eyes ever presented itself to the mother. Helen, so far as appearances went, seemed equally fond of both brothers. On February 7 McCready invited the girl to visit the Stock Exchange with him on the following day. At the time appointed, how ever, it was Carlyle who called. Stating that his brother was unable to leave his office he offered himself as an escort. Instead of carrying out their expressed intention the pair went before an alderman and were married under the assumed names of Charles Harris and Helen Neilson. The matter, it was agreed, should be kept secret. For a short time Harris continued to be no less assiduous in his attentions, and in the succeeding May followed the family of his wife to their summer home at Ocean Grove. Then came the 'inevitable finale—for one, the weariness which follows sated desire, for the other, the dumb, heart-sick pleading for a return of the banished affection. Fewer calls, an altered bearing, trifling disputes gave the usual indications of a passion, now gone forever. It was time, too, for the true character of Harris to be presented in a more open light through his arrest as the keeper of a house raided as disorderly. It was certainly necessary for Harris to keep on good terms with his victim. The marriage could not remain secret much longer. His wife imposed but one condition to her consent to a crime which would, it was hoped, obviate the necessity for an immediate disclosure. For his sake would she suffer the pain and incur the danger, but some one, not necessarily her mother, must be told of the marriage, lest by the manner of her death there should be cast an un deserved stigma upon her fair name. She had already learned to distrust her hus band's promises. Miss May Schofield, a friend, was on a visit, and one afternoon a walk was proposed. After Helen and Carlyle had whispered together for a few moments the former announced that she had some letters to write and would join the others later. As they walked along, "Can you keep a secret?" Harris asked.

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"Not if it is a very big one; don't tell it to me, please," was the laughing reply. "I wouldn't, could I help it, but Helen insists." 'Then let me tell you the secret. You and Helen are engaged. I guessed that ages ago." "Perhaps you didn't guess that we were married last February?" "You can't mean," May exclaimed, "that you were secretly married and have told no one?" "I do mean just that. Do you suppose that I would have any one know of the mar riage?" "If Miss Potts has not already told her mother I shall beg her to do so." "You will do no such thing," Harris de clared, angrily. " I put you on your honor not to tell, for my prospects will be utterly ruined if this marriage is known. I would rather kill her and kill myself than have this marriage public. I wish she were dead and I were out of it." "Carl Harris, even in anger you should not say such things in my presence." They returned to the house in silence, and found Helen on the steps prepared to join them. "I have told her." said Harris. "May will urge you, Helen, to tell your mother, but remember your promise." Later in the afternoon the wretched wife accompanied her betrayer. Returning pale and haggard, she went directly to her room, and did not appear again that day. Though with doubtless the best inten tions, the criminal had performed his work but ill, for, in the latter part of June, Helen left for Scranton, Penn., where she remained a month at the residence of her uncle, Dr. Treverton. A second operation was neces sary, and it was performed. In response to a telegram Harris came to Scranton and stayed there two days. If aught were needed to demonstrate his entire lack of affection for the cruelly wronged girl, his unfeeling demeanor would have been sufficient. To Dr. Treverton and another,