The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-07-17
CHAPTER NNIN.

For moment, not only Eugene Faber,
but also Bill Forest experienced conster-
nation and dumbfounded surprise which
the unexpected appearance Of Eveline Ber
ton had occasIoned. 1t caused the one to
turn fairly pale, the latter to give utterance
to an ejaculation of surprise and bewilder-
ment.
Under any other circumstances, ana at
any other time, the eX-secretary would
have assumed the role OF the polished
gentleman III the presence Of Miss BHrton.
He intuItively discerned now, however,
that this would be sheer folly. There she
stood with anger blazing from her eyes,
and scofntul contempt upon her features,
which betokened an utter absenc; Of all
tlmidlty or fear in the presence Of these
two men.
- Williams she uttered, as she glanced
Indignantly at them. " have heard suf
ticicnt to Indicate a deep and treacherous
plot upon your part against Mr. Esmond.
If not able To prove crimlnahty, | can at
least exhibit to the world your heartless
ness and duphcity. Let ne pass, sir.
But Eugene Faber strong hand inter
posed.
You cannot pass, madam, he sand
coldly and forcing a composure upon hun
self, said, you have undertaken to play
the part Of an eavesdropPer, and It Is not
safe tor you to 90 out INTO the world with
out pledge Of secrecy.
- will give you no pledge, she re
Piled. her eyes flashing Indignantly. AL
low me to pass, sir, or ! will call for aid.
WITH dexterous movement the eX-sec-
.L. . h.
room, and locked it,
= have a few words to say to you, Miss
Berton," he said with mock suavIty and
politeness 4 Take a seat, madam
But she with an imperIous gesture stood
where she was.
We might as well be plain, Miss Ber
ton, said Eugene Faber boldly. ~
have done nothing criminal III regard to
Cecil Esmond. / have, acknowledge,
endeavored to get him away from Eng
land purposely led him INTO financial
embarrassment in order to gam my own
ends-for | hate him. ! have saved a
fortune out Of the wreck Of his finances.
He has been disposed Of, and you, the
only woman | ever loved, are left to wed
me
A look of the most intense scorn over
spread the features Of the young maiden,
as she replied spIrltedly.
+" Friendship from me you might have
secured, Eugene Faber, had you not so
entirely unmasked yourself. But now
| would die a thousand deaths rather than
dishonor the poor dupe you have been
instrumental III leading to SO sad fate.
AS to him, | will not be long IN determ-
ming his fate. | do not believe he was
lost at sea Something within me tells
me that he still lives to be indicated by
me | was inert before because deemed
him IN measure guilty. know him
innocent now, and | will spare no ener-
gies to vIndicate him before the world.
Eugene Faber sneered contemptuously.
You build false hope when you calcu-
late upon ever again seeing the defaulter
and feion, Cecil Esmond. No one could
live in the storm in which he set out from
the shooting Star. Even the experienced
captain and those saved with him were
scarcely able to escape with their lives,
and he could not have survived. Now
that you have chosen to turn eavesdrop-
per, and have overheard my plans, it would
be shere folly to attempt to conceal my
true motives from you. This day your
father, the Baronet, gave me his consent
to my paying my addresses to you. | have
one demand to make, give me pledge of
secrecy as to what you have heard in this
room tonight, or else consent to be my
wife. Until you do, You are prisoner
here.
" A prisoner
Yes, Miss Bertom. Do not flatter
yourself with the hope that | will relent,
that the commOtiOn your disappearance
may cause will influence me | have
worked too long and too patiently to at
tain my object to allow anything to turn
me aside. am determined, resolute now
You shall be mine If you accept me.
will be loving, tender husband if you
compe, enforcement Of my threats, | will
show you that even love sometimes de.
scends to cruelty"
Eveline Berton meditated deeply.
:" have but one answer to give you,-
never will consent to be yours You ar,
thoroughly below my notice TO deserv'
even my acknowledgment Of your insolen
propositions. Be careful, however, fol
this is not feudal age, nor am | friend
less and unprotected woman ]"
She withdrew as she spoke, pale and >