The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-06-09
CHAPTER V.
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. Two weeks went DN.
1t was wet winter night, quite dark
at five o'clock, with the sleety rain
freezing as it fell until the .cobble-stone
payements of the little town held YER
liable man-trap in every round and hol-
low; but John Tendyke, returning to his
room after his six o'clock dinner, trod
the slippery way in safety, and looked
about him as he shut out the dark and
cold and damp, with well-satisfied eyes.
His room in the bank building was
large, and lighted only by the soft coal
fire burning in the open CRATE. which
sent Pickering shadows into the far cor
.ners. about the tall bookcases and the
screened alcove where his bed stood.
But it was not the comfort of his sur
roundings which was putting Mr. Ten
dyke in good himor with himself.
There's hardly a doubt but she'll
give in, he was thinking, as he walked
softly back and forth in the red CLEANS
of the fire, on the alert for some expect
ed sound. eff she don't, I'll make
enough to console me for her loss. l
don't think have left loophole open
to betray me if | am driven to that
COURSE" and his mind was cast forward
over his projected plans, until the slight
click for which he had watched appraised
him that some one had entered the outer
room of the bank.
"Lock the door, Mignon, and bring
the kew he said, throwing open his
own door to let a bar of light fall into
the darkness. 10 .it
II 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, ought to think twice be-
fore counting that state"
She made a 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 wthp' 5.i8 d. {
She stood beside the hearth, disdain-
inc the seat he offered her, the hood of
her gossamer cloak fallen back from
her face, and the fiickering light plainly
showing the 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.
h"You will have it at once" he NUT
tered. Like taking a bitter dose at
one gulp and making faces afterward.
Well, Mignon, I've got everything in
such shape that want you to leave
with me tonight for New Orleans,
where | will restore you to your father
care until you can get legal separation
from the fellow who robbed nue. of my
promised bride. He will sue for di-
vorce fast enough when you are gone.
You can marry again as soon as 1t Is
granted in any State but this; promise
to marry me then, and promise in turn
not to press any advantages / may hold,
or to annoy you MEANWHILE 7E /
m He was weighing every word he ut
tered, and watching the effect. fiji .ta
80 give due weight to the PROPOSE.
ton and incline you to look upon it IA
vorably may as well add that, if yor
refuse Rodney France viii be branded
tomorrow as a swindler and a scoun
drel:' q fitting mate for the other sharp
er sgewneirel, rhispartner.w who decampeC
with the spoils, and leaves him to beal
the burden of public Indignation as best
he may"
do it if you dare. Your villainy car
not reflect upon him." Va
Can not itP We'll, Mrs. France,
won't argue the matter with you, bu
Just appeal ito your knowledge of nj
whether it is likely or not that | hav,
put in months of time without winding
him up in net of appearances that vii
tell against him far more than me.
',You forget that | can bear witnes
against you,
'Do you really think intend to leav
YOU that chancep' and now the ferocit,
of the mans nature showed itself. sd
you think enticed you here for no 9th
! err purpose than to have you defy me
Yes, enticed; for I've no reason to thinl
you'll yield unless | put on the thumb
screws with hard wrench. Your hus
band will be denounced tomorrow a
, something worse than a common thief
, and you-have you any idea VIII ere yo1
, will be when that time comes? In eter
nifty, as surely as you aren't on you
, way to New Orleans with me-"
She scarcely flinched, though she be
lieved him quite equal to such deed
, Her lips quivered, then set. "Heavel
forgive you, Varick, for the act to whic
you will drive me tonight" she said
slowly, the words dropping like stones
Il don't think either you or | nee
expect Heaven to answer our calls,
said Varick, brutally. "Does that NEAR
Mignon, that you are willing to go wit
me?" ..- .......
Willing? Scarcely that. Before
promise, what guarantee have l tha
you will not abuse my confidence; the
you will leave the funds of the bank bt
hind, provided | gop
He turned, and lifted valise from
shadowy corner.
They are all in here, bonds, mortgage