Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-07-30


may relieve her poor tortured heart and
explain oil this sad, dark mystery"
II viii not.
! He needed but to glance at the set lips,
the firm, resolute face. toread the same de-
| termination her words had expressed.
You will not he cried. If you come
from my wife, it you are her friend, tell
me, implore you. what evil fate has be-
fallen her-what train of circumstances has
placed her in possession of facts distorted
purposely to drive her from her trust in my
honor and love.
He is innocent.
/ Wild Nan whispered the words to herself
with wild heart throb. The inspiration
of belief had come as she watched his pale,
angu;shed face. as she recalled her own
words to Edith that's was the victim of q
plot.
If she has misjudged you, she began
Misjudged me, interrupted Sherwood,
vocifer0usly My Edith, my wife. What
cruel plot is this, for before heaven am
true to her. She has been basely deceived.
You say she saw me with another. another
that other apparently my wife. And last
night There could have been but one
place the garden Of
The expression in the face of his visitor
confirmed his half-expressed words.
Ii this is so, " he went on excitedly. how
came she there? who led her there? for
Edith never descended to spy on the ac-
hons of the man she loved Speak. girl,
mplore, command you'll Two loving
hearts hx their dastinies on your words. +"
She was led there, replied Nan, slowly,
but she saw you-she saw that woman
she was convinced of your marriage with
her, for he claimed that he could nroduce
the evidence.
4Hei whom?"
Il will not tell, cried the girl with sud
den change of manner. @That is nv secret
her secret. His time has not come vet.
and Nan has her secrets and she must keep
them
1t was the first diversion from logical
statements on her part, and Sherwood stared
curiously at her.
Is she mad? Is all this some wild va
gary of her brain?" he murmured.
The wanderer read his thoughts.
II know what you are thinking of, (" she
said. i read it in your face. But it mat
ters not about me. Edith leslie. YOUR
wife If she is such, will bear the name of
another soon if you do not prove your in
nocence."
Her words awakened the man to an
"Take me to her, he cried. "or viii call
the police and force you to do so.s
He saw his mistake in the scornful def
liant face.
TRY ii, she replied with scornful
laugh.
His manner changed: his face was over
spread with the most vivid sentiments Of
anxiety and suspense.
Can you not see that you are tearing nv
heart cruelly2 If you wish to aid Edith
Leslie. take me to her. l swear that al
though appearances are against me, can
explain all satisfactorily, clearly.
The Watchful eyes of Wild Nan studied
his face keenly. Whatever subtle intelii-
gence was santient in her m nd it bestowed
on her thoughts a clear, comprehensive
view of the case. But the dark back
ground of her own secrets held her hesi-
ta6ngly.
Il I take you to her, she said, aand YOU
find that her father has become involved in
trouble, perhaps in crime, and that the sac
ritice Of implicit obedience on her part is
necessary to his safety, you will not think
only OF your own selfish thoughts and cons
pei her to abandon him?"
1 will do as she says, only let me have
the blessed opportunity of proving my in
nocence.
"Why can you not tell me? Why not let
me carry to her your story2 You cannot
comprehend. I dare not tell you why 1
fear that your appearance on the scene will
but enhance Edith's peril, perhaps your
own.
Tell you, child If you could but know
the intricate mysteries of my life-how the
evil actions of another have involved me in
this trouble and woel No, mol To her
alone dare reveal that which told to the
world would insure the imprisonment of a
relative whose interests 1 have sworn to
protect, unworthy as he is"
She could trace no clew to his ambiguous
position in his words, but she saw that he
was apparently sincere with his explana-
ton.
Il will trust you, she said, impulsively.
Come.
@Where?" he asked, eagerly.
To where Edith Leslie is kept prisoner
BY her father; by the man who seeks to win
her for his wife.