Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-06-14

the key,n he said, throwing open hs
the darkness.
81 thought you could be persuaded to
come if sent for you, Mrs. France. If
domestic felicity wore on every one as it
wears on you,I ought to think twice be-
fore counting that state"
She made little motion with her
hands, of impatient pain.
Don't mock me. You know what is
telling on me. What is the doom you
have to threaten me WITH"
She stood beside the hearth, disdain-
ing the seat he offered her, the hood of
her gossamer cloak fallen back from
her face, and thesfickering light plainly
showhgsthe ravages which the last few
| weeks had made there. Varick's hard
heart hardened yet more as he real
lied that he could never get more than
the faded remnants of the beauty and
| affection which she had given to France.
"YOu will have it at once" he NUT
tered. Like taking bitter dose at
one gulp and making faces afterward 4.
Well, Mignon, T We got every thing in
with me tonight for New Orleans,
where I will restore you to your fathers
care until you can get legal separation
promised bride. He viii sue for di-
yorce fast noughawhen you are gone.
You can marry again as soon as it is
granted in any State but this; promise
to marry me then, and promise in turn
not to press any advantages Tmay hold,
or to annoy you meanwhile. 3
He was weighing every word he ut
tered, and watching the effect.
Ito give due weight to the PROPOSE
ton and incline you to look upon it IA
vorably, 1 mayas well add that, if you
refuse, Rodney France will besbranded
tomorrow as a swindler and scoun-
drel; n fitting mate for the other sharp
er scoundrel, his partner, who decamped
with the>spoils, and leaves him to bear
the burden of public Indignation as best
he may"
do it if you dare. Your villainy can
not reflect upon him." p III
Can motif? Well. Mrs. France, I
won't argue the matter with you, but
just appeal to your knowledge of me
whether it is likely or not that I have
put in months of time without winding
him up in a net of appearances that will
tell against him far more than me-"
you forget that l can bear witness
against you" ~
.sDo you really think intend to leave
YOU that chance?' and now the ferocity
of the man nature showedaitself. ~'eDo
you think enticed you here for no 9TH
er purpose than to have you defy me?
Yes. enticed; for I've no reason to think
you'll yield unless I put on the thumb
screws with hard wrench. Your hus-
band will be denounced tomorrow as
something worse than a common thief,
and you-have you any idea VIII ere you
will be when that time comes? In eter
nifty, as surely as You aren't on your
way to New Orleans with me..''
She scarcely finched, though she be-
lieved him quite equal to such deed.
Her lips quivered, then set. Heaven
forgive you, Varick, for the act to which
you will drive me .to-nfght," she said,
slowly, the words dropping. like stones.
Il don't think either you or need
expect Heaven to answer our calls
said Varick, brutally. ..Does that mean,-
Mignen, that You are willing to with
mep"
= "Willing? Scarcely that Before I
promise, what guarantee have i that
you will not abuse my confidence; that
you will leave the funds of the bank be-
hind. provided I go?"
He turned, and lifted valise from
shadowy corner.
They are all in here, bonds, mortgages,
securities and greenbacks. There's a
show of gold and silver left in the vault,
but it came near being a clean sweep.
I'll just keep back the amount.of capt.
tai paid in,S and you shall put the re-
mainder in the safe with your own
hands, if you wish
She watched him while, he unlocked
the valise and took out some packages
of bonds and notes, counting, them I'M
der her eyes. = =
"You bring the rest" he said, brief
ly. IN go ahead and light the gas
"Varick.' said Mignon, softly, stand
ing near him with the valise in her
hand, ''why were you so set on this
thing? You could have taken this
had your revenge, and said
nothing to me. can't think you care
for me so much as to outweigh the |
gain
Then you don't give me credit for
the half l feel" said Varick, with sud-
uen energy. Il III not the man 10 20
mad and throw all things to the dogs
for the sake of woman. I'm fond of
you, La June, and 1 always was. Be-
Sides" with cunning CLEAN, II
hedged to win. III get fifty thousand
dollars when take you back to New
Orleans, and that's better than three
times the amount, aOtthoatt you,- and
the law at my heels. Here! before ]
lock that safe want your promise. -
II promise to forsake my husband |
and stay with you until death parts us
Il don't ask more'n that" muttered |
Varick, bending over the combination
lock, and the next instant a bullet |
crashed into his brain. and stopped its |
crafty scheming forever. - |
Rodney France had started that aft
on trip which would have kept !
him from home for night and day,
but by the merest chance he found the /
man with whom his business was on the
same train, going the same way. They
had short conversation, arranged for
a future meeting, and Rodney got off at