Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-07-09


He advanced to where Edith stood so
eagerly, boldly, and confidently that she
started, and shrank back, an indignant
glance in her face.
"A minute ago. he began glibly, Ayou
mentioned a name. You wonder why ]
started; why / eyinced confusion. Shall !
tell your"
From the evil triumph giittering in his
eyes she knew that some revelation was
coming but she answered coldly, indiffer'
entity: AS you viii.
To spare you pain had determined to
maintain silence. On better thoughts, to
save you from disgrace and shame, have
concluded to tell you all"
She started at the words, disgrace and
shame. but regarded him frigidly.
rou speak In enigmas, She said; "but
I warn you if you seek to impose on me
with new tissue of lies it viii fall on un
needing ears"
II speak knowingly" replied Warren,
slightly angered at her contemptuous in
tonation Of voice. II know Percy Sher-
wood. / know more. You claim the man
as your husband?n
Yes
"He has deceived you."
He shrank before the flashing eyes, but
supplemented his statement too quickly for
her to speak, with the words:
HE is not your husband"
You dare to add the crowning insult of
base lie to your evil persecution?" cried
Edith.
Il dare to tell the truth. This man is
not your husband. I can prove it.
Not for moment did the young wife's
heart waver in its perfect faith in a loyal
noble husband. Only a wild surprise at
the bold insolence of this mana curl
osity to learn how far his daring effrontery
would carry him-flled her mind.
prove it, she replied, scornfully.
Aye, Edith Leslie, you scorn my words;
you believe my every utterance despicable.
Bewarel What I can tell will shake your
faith in this man and humble your naughty
spirit.
His earnest, angry manner startled her
despite herself She could conceive of no
plot he could fortify his position with, igno-
rant as he had been until the present mo-
ment Of the name of her husband-imo-
rant, even, that she was wife.
Il defy you to convince me of one un-
worthy fact concerning my husband" she
said, scornfully.
you put me TO the proof. I do not ask
time; you would claim that had devised a
plot if. 1 did. This very night-this very
hour-I will prove to you that Percy Sher-
wood is already married man."
Edith's face grew slightly pale.
4You cannot, she cried.
Il can and will prove to you that FIVE
years since he welded woman named
Beatrice Avenal. I will take you to her
home and show you that he is her
acknowledged husband. And later will
procure for you the legal evidence that this
woman Beatrice and himself were married
at little town fifty miles from the city,
legally, and prior to his marriage to you.
vague, jealous pain oppressed the girls
heart.
He seeks to deceive me, she murmured.
DO you dare to undertake the ordeal?"
demanded Warren.
YES cried Edith in thrilling tones;
vile as you are unworthy Of credence, /
defy you TO put to the test your ignoble
ISLANDERS.
ssThen come"
He advanced to the door, but the girl
stood silent.
Leslie. gliding to his side, whispered:
Are you mad. What new scheme are you
devising?"
"a satisfactory one; do not fear"
And you can do what you say?"
Eyes"
Reuben Leslie stared obviously at his ac-
complice and returned to Edith's side.
Will you Gomez" he asked.
In reply she followed him into the corri-
dor after he had extinguished the light
She set her lips firmly as she heard Warren
signal the carriage with a whistle, and
ayerted her glance from his triumphant face
as he gave an order to the driver in low
undertone.
The ride was a silent one and led to the
vicinity of Union Park. Warren engrossed
in his own meditations, Leslie wondering
at the Outcome Of the strange Journey
Ediths mind, in wild turmoil, distracted
between hope and fear, doubt and uncer-
tainty. Her eyes cleaned with the haunt
ing suspense Of pain as the carriage whirled
past the street lamps again, and she knew
that they were traversing the more fre-
quented parts of the city.
Looking back over the past three years Of
her life, those years seemed dream and
this the rude awakening. Her imagination
was peopled with all the terrible events oi
the night, and her heart seemed to have
grown old within an hour. But its one
secret joy, the love Of the man whose name
had been forced from her lips. was verita-
Bile city of refuge amid the blight the ruth.
less hands Of her father and his evil ac-
complice seemed bent on working. Thai
they could never assail. Her heart thrilled
proudly as she thought of Percy Sherwood
and she bade her anxious fears be still.
For he, her husband-her heart warmed
to bliss at the word-was all that was noble
nd In ck,.o - .f,.sf
from home by Reuben Leslie, had, while al
boarding school, met accidentally the man
whose name she secretly bore. 1t was the
sweet old story. love and clandestine mar,
riage. He had pleaded with her to allow
him to announce the marriage to her parents
but she had demurred.
"Wait until 1 am of age, she had said
and then we will tell them all.
So, under the careless supervision Of the
lady principal, they met week after week
until, when the summer vacation came, she
confessed all to the lady. The kind hear
did not reproach her, but lent herself to the
plans of the earnest girl, the happy wife,
and thus it was that the twain often me-
each other, and Reuben Leslie never sus.
pected but that she was secluded student
at the school where he had sent her.
Putting off the day when she would dare
to meet the sullen anger of Reuben Leslie
the weeks had crept by. Only twice since
she returned to Chicago had she met hel
husband, and she had found him troubled
and sad. He was no longer anxious tc
avow their marriage. and bnde her be pa
tient. She did not press him to tell hel
why he had grown sad and thoughtful She
only knew that king among men, his
honor was above reproach, and that bust
ness or family troubles had led to this
change.
But recollection Of it now struck new
alarm to her anxious heart, and, despite hel
warm faith IN his love, she trembled as the
carriage came to a stop in tree-lined lant
and the door was opened by Warren.
Leslie followed him silently, and Editt
deigned to accompany them. Glancing
around her, the girl saw that they wers
X - L. Il