Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-07-16
lFrom the Chicago LedSsr.l
WILD nan !,
The OutCaSt's Secret!
A GREAT CHICAGO STORY.
By WELDON j. COBB,
Author OF "At Her Mercy" "The Love d
Her Life" The Manacled Hand, f" The
Telegraph Detective" The Stolen
Bridegroom" Etc, Etc.
A GREAT CHICAGO STORY.
By WELDON J. COBB.
CHAPTER v.

Bridegroom" Etc, Etc.
-o-o
CHAPTER v.
AT THE OLD WORKS.
! Elmer Warren, his emotion divided be-
tween fierce, passionate Joy at claspiBg
even the unwilling form of Edith Leslie in
! his arms and the triumph of his iniquitous
scheme to blight her fair young life in its
radiant trust in her husband, bore the in
animate girl to the carriage silently and
| quickly.
The white lips moaned no longer; the
tortured glance was mercifully obscured,
and blankness had settled down over the
mind of the victim of the events of that
fated night of years. The actors had come
and gone, the curtain was drawn, and the
dark curtain of night, shutting out the star
blackness of despair and horror which had
driven sensibility from the brain of the
distracted Edith.
Even Leslie was touched at the denoue-
ment of the dramatic scene in the garden.
"Give her to me, he said, half angrily,
as they reached the carriage.
Warren, the passion of admiration senti-
| ent in his evil face, reluctantly abandoned
her to Leslie, who tenderly placed her with
in the vehicle, resting her head on the
cushions.
aPoor child, he murmured, forgetfully.
A sneer from Warren caused him to flush
hotly.
Leave maudlin sentiment to the rich,
friend Reuben, he said. ave can't afford
/ it~
Drive home" ordered Leslie, to the
driver of the carriage.
| Warren's hand touched his own.
~Countermand the order, he said, quietly.
Leslie stared at him strangely.
What do you mean2" he asked.
What say. Order the driver to take us
back to the old works.
But -"
do as say, and when we have started 1
will explain to you"
Leslie gave the required order. Once in
the carriage his eyes wandered regretfully
to the crushed, silent figure on the seat op-
| poslte; but his glance was soon transferred
to the darkly cleaning eyes Of his COM
| panion, as the latter enlisted his attention
by recurring to the subject Of their plots.
I'VE have done good nights work
Reuben LESLIE" he said, briskly, striking
him familiarly upon the shoulder.
| Yes"
The hoarse, choked voice trembled as
Leslie shuddered. The excitement of rage
| passed, the reaction of dull remorse was suf-
ficlently sensitive to awaken his mind from
the sullen apathy of unheeded guilt.
What, weakening2" bantered Warren.
"Who intends to weaken?" came eruffiy.
harshly, from Leslie's lips.
"Then don't. You're in the current,
friend Reuben, and you can't get ashore or
turn back. Ahead is the golden island.
You're fool if you allow your mind to be
bothered about anything but the wealth
awaiting you"
"lf l was only sure -"
"Surel" and Warren laughed derisively.
See here, Reuben, when I enter into q
scheme for love or gain, put aside all
scruples. The case is plain. secret, a
troublesome messenger, sentimental wife,
and married heiress. The secret is safe,
for you and I control it. The messenger
has disappeared, and oil search will prob
ably end at Philadelphia. AS to your wife,
Edith must be kept from her or she will
blab all. Therefore the old works and a
mild imprisonment for the girl until ]
marry her.
He ran over the points in the scheme as
| glibly and briskly as if bent on emu
merating the members of a pleasure party.
Leslie listened, but his silence evinced the
| gloom which had settled down over his
mind-a mind engrossed in wondering if in
lending his cooperation to the plans of his
accomplice he was not giving him all the
power and perhaps all the profit
If the girl is married, he finally sug-
gested.
Have not proven to you that she is q
nameless bride2" interrupted Warren.
When Edith Leslie returns to conscious
| ness there is one fact she will be assured Of
/ at least"
And that is?"
The perfdy Of the man she calls hus-
band.
is he not her husband2" asked Leslie.
What does it matter to you or I what he
is? Before tomorrow night I shall place
in this girls hands certified copy of the
marriage certificate of this man Sherwood
and his first wife,
What devilish jugglery is this, that you
stumble on these facts?
Warren laughed coarsely.
Perhaps the jugglery of the devil, in
fact, he replied loosely. They say he
helps his own. But it doesn't matter. Lee
galiy married, this girl could defy US. al
it is
He hasftated.
"Well?" said Leslie, expectantly.
AS it is, she will be convinced that she
is not Sherwood's wife. The result will be
an abandonment to grief for day or two
then Indignation, and then she will accept
our conditions quietly"
You do not know her, interrupted Les
lie. She has q strong spirit when once
aroused"
Trust me to break it, then. Our course
is clear She must be kept close prisoner
and not allowed to communicate with any
outside party. When she has married me
she must claim her fortune.
"But this man Sherwood When he
learns the truth that she is an heiress, vii
he not fellow her?"
How can he find her? No, Reuben; il
We can keep them apart and avoid an ex-
PLANTATION"
Leslie started.
"An explanation2" he repeated. some
what mystified. Then this woman Be.
atrice is not his wife?"
Warren turned sharply.
What is that to you or me?" he de.
manded. Ask no questions, and do as
say, and I'll guarantee the success of oul
plans"
Leslie was silent. Unprincipled, crue
rs he was, the desperateness Of his mature
waned before the COOL calculating villain,
Of his accomplice. To crush the heart O
the child he had nurtured for SO many years
to lead her to complication Of relation
which would constitute an unworthy degra.
dation on her part, was more repulsive ts
him than the most brutal crime.
But the glittering bait which attracted
him. the golden shrine his companion 8,
lascinatingly described overpowered Gil tn,
better promptings of his dark heart, an,
be shut out tenderness and remorse, ant
| with TeBOlute lips only nuttered de