Plot That Failed, or, When Men Conspire

Excerpt: &quote;&quote;I feared you would not come.&quote; The speaker, a beautiful woman of two or three and thirty, half reclined on a sofa, in an elegant apartment. A gentleman, rather old, had entered the room. He was what he looked to be-one of New York's money kings. &quote;It is for the last time, Louise,&quote; he said, toying with his watch guard. &quote;And why for the last time?&quote; For a second the woman appeared downcast, and then, rising to her feet, she said, pleadingly: &quote;You swore that you would always love me.&quote; &quote;Yes,&quote; he thundered, &quote;but then I was not aware that the shy and modest Louise Calhoun was a common adventuress. Truly, you would be a nice woman to grace my home and be a second mother to my orphan children!&quote; &quote;I shall force you to keep your promise!&quote; The woman's eyes blazed and she clinched her hands until the nails sank deep into the flesh. &quote;Force me-you will force me!&quote; exclaimed the gentleman. &quote;Those were the words I used, Hilton Field.&quote; &quote;Why, you are a criminal.&quote;&quote;