Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-02-16

Again he laughed, a coarse, loud
laugh.
moneys not such bad thing" he
said. Which reminds me, by-the-way,
I'm in need of some to-night-two hun
dred dollars, Edna-and I must have
it, too. It's money that I owe."
1.-TWO hundred dollars, Rodney
Yes, dear. There are fifteen hundred
lying to your credit in the bank. It's
your own, Rodney. It's what you
would have had, had you been at
home. There are five hundred besides,
that have saved up from my expenses.
Together, Rodney, it might quite set
you up in business"
"No business for me-" he answered.
But it's snug windfall for all that,
and glad enough I am to get it. Here,
give me your check for the amount.
I'll draw what I need, and leave the
rest. And [ say, Edna, the less you
say about my return yet awhile the bet
ter. I've no fancy to having my brother
in-law begin by looking down on me;
and when do return, I've got no.
ton to return like a gentleman. Tll
get what need with this money, and
make some needed changes in my
toilet" this with sarcastic smile.
"But surely you will let me tell Dun
ton that have seen you"
''Surely you will do nothing CT the
kind. Promise me, Edna, that you
will not"
every well, then. But, Rodney, it
will not be long before you acknowledge
yourselfw
"Too soon, perhaps, my dear"
And, with light kiss upon her cheek,
and her check safely slowed away in his
pocket, he left her.
She sank, stunned and bewildered,
into the chair, from which she had
risen to admit him. But for that newly
torn space in her open check-book, she
might fancy that she had been dream
ing.
what is the matter, Edna?" asked
Dare, twenty-four hours later. "What
is troubling you, darling? Do you
think L cannot read in your face that
something has gone wrong?"
A hurt look crept into his eyes as
she evaded his question: 1t was the
first shadow of deceit which had fallen
between them.
A week were on. Each day a dull
presentiment grew upon her-each day
her lovers gaze rested more keenly on
her face. Thus had he once before
discovered falsehood, where he fancied
all fair,
At the end of a fortnight the blow
fell. Dunton had bid her good night,
as before, when some one tapped upon
the window with cane. She felt that
it was Rodney, and fastened to admit
him. He was welldressed now, but
his face was deathly pale, and his eyes
burned bright with excitement
~ have lost my money" he hurried
ly began. Il staked it at play, think
ing to double it. [ boasted of having
come into fortune, and so, when /
lost, they trusted me. am in debt two
thousand dollar. You must raise it for
me, Edna. If [ don't give it to them
within twenty-four hours, theg will
murder me-"
II can't, Rodney" she cried, ringing
her hands; mot if / gave up all have
in the world. You know the principal
of our little fortune is fixed so that we
cannot touch it. Ask them for time,
Rodney. [ will work for you-with you
to pay this debt, if they will but give
us time"
'You reason like a woman" he said,
bitterly. 81 tell you [ must have it,
and at once. Go to your lover. Ask
him for it for yourself. He will give it
to you"
81 would rather die first" she replied,
hotly.
II thought So" he sneered. 'Do you
think that mother would rather have
died first?"
''No, mol" she answered again. "You
are right; l am wrong. I will think it
over. [ will try to see my way clear
for the right"
you'll have to-" he said. 81 took
the law into my own hands. 1 lied
just now when said they trusted me.
Oh, I've not been idle. | found out
who your lover was. L got a piece of
his writing. wrote it on the back of
a check. There-don't faint! AS God
is my judge, [ thought was sure to
win! The check will be. presented be-
fore them tomorrow. Edna, save mel
You, he will forgive. You are not,
you cannot, be sure but that he will
give me up. He does not dream that
| am IN existence. You can save me
if you will. Decide. Will you serd
me to prison, or will you confess your
guilt to your future husband?"
"My future husband!"
Her white lips gaspad the words.
No! That dream was over. She must
make him believe her the falsest, the
vilest of women.
edna, forgive mel" the boy pleaded,
with some softening, as he saw the
white look of agony upon her face. 'I
was so sure, or I would not have done
1t. Help me this time, and 1 swear to
you to be better man."
Il will do it." she said, but in voice
so changed he started. "You must go
now. In month you may return"
She was conscious that he kissed and
then left her; then for hours she knew
nothing.
Before noon next day, Dunton Dare,
with an expression in his eyes she had
never seen there before, entered her
little sitting-room.
Edna" he began, "last night 1 had
forgotten something, and was about re-
turning, when [ saw man rap on this
window with his cane. Instantly You
admitted him. Two hours passed be-
fore he again came out. AS your fu-
ture husband, have some right to ask |
you who it is who thus visits you"
Il cannot answer yOu," she reDlied |