Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-07-09
From the chirago Ledger.l
WILD NAN !,
4le OQtCaSt'S Secret!
o--o-
A GREAT CHICAGO STORY.
By WELDON j. COBB,
Author Of "At Her Mercy" Tho Love oi
Her Life, (" The Kanacied Hand, The
Telegraph Detective" z The Stolen
Bridegroom" Etc, Etc.
A GREAT CHICAGO STORY.
By WELDON J. COBB,
CHAPTER ~.
TuE MIAMI Or yrARs

--Q---6---
CHAPTER ~.
THE NIGHT OF YEARS.
If Edith Leslie had been reserving all
the force of expression for final blow at
her enemies she could not have made q
declaration which would have more COM
pletely overwhelmed them.
A night Of surprises, this new one left
her pale but firm, Leslie absolutely dumb
and Warren driven back laboring under all
the concentrated rage and anger of disap-
pointment.
She had believed that this final declara-
ton would relieve her from the power of
the crestfallen villain before her. Alas,
she little dreamed that the tragedy was not
yet ended, that its long line of incidents
were yet to render that lowering July even
ing the night of years.
"She les" came coarsely, harshly, from
the lips Of Warren. ut is deception to
gain time to delude u.s.
Leslie turned stern face upon him.
She speaks the truth, +" he cried; for
Edith never told falsehood.
Warren's face became perfectly ivid as
he regarded the cold, contemptuous fea-
lures of the girl.
"Curse her. will not be foiled," he
cried. 1T is scheme of you two to balk
me.
1T is no scheme" replied Edith; "for
Reuben Leslie never knew of my marriage.
Would you have proofs? They shall be
forthcoming"
The new aspect put upon the case by her
announcement caused Leslie's swarthy
face to turn pale. Crime, ever cumulative,
seemed, in this instance, as developments
advanced, to encircle him in new compica-
lions, each one more disastrous than its
predecessor
If Edith was married she was beyond his
control, and the fortune farther from his
grasp than ever. For once his powerful
nature was daunted, and he wavered in the
resoIute course he had begun.
His voice was suppressed, his face void
in its expression, as he turned to Edith:
You say you are married; you acknowl-
edge that you have deceived me. Why have
you done this?"
She faced him boldly.
You have no right to question me, she
said. "You have done that which separates
my life from yours by wide gulf. am
Eedded honorably, happily. Let that suf-
fee"
A muttered oath. from Warren caused
Leslie to regard him with an apprehensiye
gaze.
DO you forget this mans powerP" NUT
tered Leslie in Edith's ear.
1T can make no difference to him or you
when or where I was married." continued
Edith. why should you desire to trample
on my hearts secrets, you who have no
hearts? You banished me from home,
from mothers love and home influence.
If my yearning heart sought and found love
and peace with man whom could respect
Nnd revere, why should you condemn me2'
They were silenced. Both speculative
and gloomy, neither spoke.
What has come to you ever follows the
evel doer," she went on, impressively.
"What dark motive your schemes held,
what mystery surrounds my life, do not
know. I care not to learn. for know that
| its development has begun in crime, and
pursued it can only lead to more.
You are married, you say, spoke Leslie.
@When did that marriage occur?"
Three years ago"
An incredulous expression escaped the
mechanics lips.
Three years2"
"Yes.
When you were at SCHOOL,"
Edith made a cold, asserting gesture.
And your husbands name?"
Her eyes grew startled. Desperate men,
would the secret be safe with them2 Might
they not seek his life, too? But the vision
of noble face, brave, earnest man in
whose courage and integrity she trusted
drove the apprehensive thought from her
mind
why would you know?" she asked.
Because | must know, sooner or later
replied Leslie
Il will tell you. then. 1t is Percy Sher-
wood.
Great heavensl it cannot be-"
The words were wrung from Warren's
ips. He had grown pale as marble, and,
staggering back, stood leaning on chail
for support his eyes betraying the pro-
foundest emotion.
Edith regarded him in startled wonder
ment.
You knew him?" she cried eagerly.
Warren's utterance seemed too choked to
speak. He could only nod assent,
With powerful effort he recovered him.
self rs Edith stood silently regarding him.
I know him." he stammered, by name
only.
Edith was evidently dissatisfied with the
equivocal explanation, but did not deign to
question him farther
AS II the victim Of some inquisition, rem.
dered 50 by circumstances, she stood await
ING further questioning from her father If
she had but noted the expression Of War
ren's face she would have been more
startled OF his ejaculation.
Whatever the mystery of his knowledge
Of the name she had spoken whatever the
strange connection her words had with his
displayed emotion-some deep sentiment
aroused him to the most varied and intense
senslpln.y. From dumb amazement to
1umpOsaIe sl OF manner the trasformatlon was
.eIs sa,d suuden anu IN marked .nan tnat now
esiueneeu u on MS eYil Iace OF unIelgned aD-
soa4se nV: los 49,
victory ! ne muttered. What coinci-
dencel Whata colncldencel What lucky
cnanee!