Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-02-15
the old subiect9 Speak out! Tn not
nr rnid To hnnr IL rnn ainI To fell "

the old subject? Speak out! Tn not
afraid to hear ii you amt to tell.
She met his stern gaze with steady
eve, and answered still in the same dls-
tinct, subdued tones; but there was nus
kiness in her voice that indicated the agl-
tation within.
81 hoped you would understand me-
William, without any palmer words.
There shall be no doubt about them now.
The time has come when there's nothing
left but to speak out. What am gong
to say came to nv own eyes and ears-no
one helped me to it, When father died
and left the old homestead and all his Sc
curities to brother James, because he was
feeble in mind and body both, and couldn't
make his way as you could | saw the
change that came over you. Every one
saw il, but not as | dd-for you were al
WAYS grave. and no one wondered that you
were cut down at getting only the money
in the bank and the little house and acre
lot we lived in. You were never bitter or
sulen to me till then. | had learned be-
fore to be afraid of offending you, but
never thought you were dark man who
could have any deadly secret. When you
married me, William, you said you liked
me because | was quiet but quick As
she said this, she caught her under lip be-
tween her teeth, and movement in her
throat showed her effort to keep down her
emotion. The man never moved, and
continued to regard her with the same
fixed look.
The six months after fathers death
made me quietcr than ever, quicker to
notice all that was was going on. knew
that YOU felt one way about Jim and talked
to him another. People thought it good
OF you after the first disappointment was
over to be pleasanter with him than You
ever were with any one else | soon be-
gan to feel that it was bad. | saw you
were playing game, and don't mind say
ing that | set myself to watch you. No:
as your enemy, William'-she said this
quickly, breaking out of the low tones she
had used, for grim expression passed
over the steely counlenance into which she
was gazing-'not as your enemy, but as
your faithful wife, who would no more let
you do harm if she could help il, than she
would let harm come to you. | couldn't
tell you now, ii there were any use in it.,
all that happened to make me sure was
right, and to show me what you were
about. 1t came to me by little and little /;
one thing after another 1t turned my
heart cold. and | went about as il had
drawn thick veil round me to keep peo-
pie from seeing what was in my thoughts
All this while Dempton's hapd was on
his wile's arm. He had relaxed his hold,
but not abandoned it, as if by some mag
netic influence of his touch he could dom
mate her spirit. But at this moment the
passion he had so long replessed was too
much for him. Tightening his grasp he
raised her arm and shook it violently be-
between his face and hers, which he had
brought near together, and then. with
Curse your cunning" flung her hand
back upon herself. 1t struck her across
the eyes. The lids instinctively closed
with the suddenness and violence Of the
blow. She kept them so a moment and
then raised them--her eyes undarkened
by shadow of fear, but dilated with an
expression OF horror and sorrow combined
that had its effect even upon the man be-
fore her. She muttered: THE first blow {.
the first blow - and with the other hand
pressing back the hair from her forehead,
looked at him as il his eyes had "A dread
full fascination There was no confusion
in his, but somewhat less of intentness as
he said quickly: go, on Jane; I'm sor-
ry. Go on; there's no stopping now"