Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-07-02
CHAPTER III.


the active scene of terrible tragedy, the
transition had been so sudden that at the
elimination Of her woes Edith Leslie fell to
q chair in the room where the messenger
lay, unmindful that her dainty garments
swept his bleeding form. She had known
in the past that Elmer Warren, encouraged
by heS father in his preference for her,
would take bold measures to enforce his
will; but she had never dreamed that cir
cumstances could thus combine to afford
him the means of bending her to his de-
signs.
AS she realized all that. unsaid as it was,
could not but suggest itself to her mind,
she buried her face in her hands, and, fall
ing forward on the table. relapsed into that
dazed swoon of anguish and despair which
battles the mandate of the heart to take
courage and resist sea Of troubles
The two men had not moved. Leslies
brow darkened, his eyes ominous stood
glowering upon Warren. The latter, with
the villains craftiness in his dark eyes, the
villains confidence in his calculating, evil
face, returned his look without wavering
Thus, for few moments, they stood;
Warren. resembling the crafty tiger, con-
scious of superior skill and power, the
other appearing like lion deprived Of
claws and teeth at the mercy Of more agile
foe.
Neither spoke, but Warren made ges-
ture more significant than words. The
mechanic hesitated moment, and then
with sullen oath. only half suppressed,
tacitly placed himself under the ban Of obe-
dience to superior win and followed the
other into the corridor.
"What do you want?" was Leslie's first
query, in low, hoarse tone.
H HEo1Ioxu mo IN fIo or,o,, oSr viii <,s,x,
you time to think"
They gained the doorway. Leslie stood
impatiently angry; his companion leaned
against the door-post.
@Well,7 said Leslie, what have you to
say to me?D
avery little. but it will come TO you plain
ly. A few minutes ago you murdered
man in cold blood.
Leslie started.
@Hushl" he said, in an alarmed whisper.
Would you betray me to some lurking
foe?"
The other laughed lightly.
"Dont fret, my friend, he said, care
lessly; the desolate reputation Of this old
den wouldn't induce tramp to visit it.
@How came you here?a
By tracing you and questioning the
driver of the carriage which brought you
I1LAC1s 11cb41c1 NlO uOb N1Su 10
be domineering. I do not even ask the
leadership in your schemes; but the fact ap-
pearing plain to me that I can benefit you, I
suggest coalition of mutual interests.
Mutual"
"Why not? love Edith. and she has re-
jected me. That only renders the zest of
pursuit the more earnest and pleasurable.
Your will could never bend her to wed me.
xz1o<7 -
should you oppose it? You never did be-
fore"
Leslie was silent.
Let us understand each other, pursued
the willy conspirator. "A fortune awaits
this girl; but you, by your senseless rage,
have complicated affairs. / will keep your
secret, dispose of the body of the murdered
man; and marry Edith. Then we will claim
the fortune; to divide with you; for, once
her husband. and she an heiress. trust me.
If she refuses to make fair allowance, to
soon find a way Of securing it all. Do you
agree?"
eyes"
Il overheard your conversation with this
man. No one followed him here-his
death will be mystery. Come.
aTo the room where he lies. We must
dispose of his body"
aBut how?"
aThe deep quarry blast. 1t is neverused
now, and the hole is full of water.
They returned to the room. The moan
ing form at the table never noticed them as
they lifted the body of the Inflated mes
senger and bore it away. 1t was only when
they returned, with not shade of pallor at
their horrible work, that Edith her grief
and terror wept away, lifted white, accus-
ing face to them.
She directed a stony glance at her father
as he touched her arm, but she shrank at
the contact.
What have you to say?" she said.
Leslie started at the precise, measured
tones of her voice.
You know what l have to say. The
stranger has brought death upon himself,
and must conceal it. viii you help me.
Her eyes fell. Despite the frigid COM
posure of manner she had believed she
conyulsed with spasm Of pain as she COM
pretended the significance Of his words.
You ask me to keep this q secret?'
Yes"
"For your sake for my mothers sake-I
agree. Do you know what that means? Do
you realize what you ask Of me2 The leg
acy Of blight and cankered remorse you
leave me2"
Her pathos never touched him. Only
mighty sigh of relief swept his lips,
Man, mani" cried Edith, as she saw his
stolid satisfaction; shave you no heart, no
conscience and you my father2"
She had overstepped the influence Of that
fear he had ever inspired her with. Never
again would these two meet on the footing
Of father and daughter, and the brutal nat
rr,.o .oc1f. c1,..o5,L bn rao1ivn6 the fonf
There is one otner thing, began Leslie,
hesitatingly.
The eyes of Edith turned to him. coldly.
| / can surmise what you would say, she
| interrupted, with queenly gesture; It IS
| that wretch
She turned contemptuous look upon
| Warren as she spoke. He WINGED beneath
1 it. Within an hour the timid shrinking
| girl had grown to woman, resenting the
persecution which this mans pretended
! love and fathers dominant will had be-
slowed upon her.
| 1You need not mince words, broke in
| Warren, savagely, stnng to the quick by
her looks Of adherence for him. You
either marry me, or the gallows for your
| father.
You hearhirn2" pleaded Leslie, coming
! close to herside.
| Il hear him. hear the low -souled ut
terance of wretch beneath the notice Of
| any honorable man. a fit accomplice in the
keeping of this evil secret.
! And your reply2"
She turned look upon him. from
| which even his sullen glance Wavered.
/ aYou ask me TO be friend to this man,
to endure his company to treat him as
| your accomplish and friend2'
Yes.