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

preSSlOu upon MS uark, evil lace.
my way is clear, she murmured. as Q
new resolve caused her mo1nentarily to for
get her troubles. If must combat the
knowledge Of false husband, if / must be
at the mercy of these men, will not let
my sorrows carry me unresisting'y along to
a cooperation in new plans Of evil. Shall
speak to him now? No; when his VII
lalnous conndant appears WIN confront
them both. and, be the result what it may,
will boldly demand my liberty The
ring, and her hand caught her pocket
1t was with the packet of papers, Whose
is it, this man Warren's? or is it a portion
Of that record Of Reuben Leslie's' scheme
of duplicity and fraud2n
Her attention was centered on the door
as the knob turned. The new conner was
Elmer Warren, and, like his companion
Leslie, his manner was perturbed and
anxious. His eyes swept the floor of the
apartment, and then he fastened to Leslie's
side.
"The papers. be whispered hurriedly in
his ears,
Leslie started from his gloomy reyerie.
What Of them?" he asked quickly.
II have lost them.
@Na9D
He had sprung TO his feet wildly excited.
Warren, with hasty glance at Edith, caught
his arm to restrain his agitation.
Keep quiet, he whispered, 9the girl is
watching us.
What is the girl to us if the documents
are gomez" demanded Leslie.
II do not know that they are; missed
them just now, but they may have fallen
out of my pocket at the house. If so l
shall recover them. There was ring, too,
,so1,
ope for safe keeping.
Why not return and search for them2"
inquired Leslie anxiously.
(. because I have more important business
on hand.
You mean"
aThe giri. 1 have a carriage in waiting
near my house and have arranged to send
for clergyman at minutes notice. Edith,
is she more tractable2"
You can see for yourself.
The glance bestowed by Warren at the
figure on the lounge was not encouraging.
As he met her full gaze he imagined he
traced latent rebellious defiance in her
face.
But he approached her boldly.
"The hour has come, be began.
For what2s
u
disdainful glance SO quickly raised to meet
his own.
To redeem your promise"
II made none.
sTacitly you did. You understand the
price Of my silence. have convinced you
that you are not the wife of Percy Sher-
wood. The only obstacle to our union is
removed. Tonight or never you must
wed me, and the opportunity Of honorable
marriage should not be rudely thrust aside
by you, nameless bride, even if your
fathers peril did not demand your consent
to the ceremony"
Ny father
She had arisen to her feet, herface flush
ed excitedly, her eyes scintillating scorn
and defiance
Leslie was intensely startled. information
and manner told him that they were upon
the threshold of stating episode.
my father?" repeated Edith, pointing to
Leslie. The farce is ended, Elmer War
rem; the curtain has risen on the truth at
last. y
what does she mean2p gasped Warren,
fairly startled at her dignity Of gesture and
her thrilling tones.
Il mean, replied Edith, that you two
can deceive me no longer. I mean that the
mott les Of your evil schemes are manifest
at last. mean that yonder man, Reuben
Leslie, is not my father
A CHASTITY pallor had come over Leslie's
face. He stared at the indignant figure be-
fore him, but did not speak.
Are you mad?n broke in Warren, with an
ill-disguised assumption Of surprise.
"No, Elmer Warren; am sane, and the
spell Of your evil plan is fully broken.
Stand aside, I will not remain in the same
contaminated atmosphere with you longer. =
The queenly gesture and commanding
voice were lost on Warren, as all his brutal
yillainy was aroused at the thought that
he was foiled at the moment of expected
triumph.
4You shall not leave this room, he NUT
tered, hoarsely. IF fair means will not in
duce you to become my wife, foul ones
SHALL
Villain. monster, I defy youl" cried the
excited girl.
Edith, command you to keep silent"
She turned upon Leslie witha wild scorn
in her face.
You command me?" she replied, dis
dainfully. You, who. since my childhood,
have withheld from me my proper nome
Edith Percival
1t was venture on her part to verify the
knowledge the packet of papers had con-
veyed to her. Its success was authenticated
in the first words of Leslie, as he hoarsely
red to his companion:
ydr cause is lost she knows all
Aye, Reuben Leslie, l indeed know all,
and here are the proofs of that knowledge.
She held the package of papers high in
her hand as she spoke. Both men gave
utterance to startled ejaculation Of alarm.
Leslie, wildly excited. with eager face and
outstretched hands, sprang toward her,
aThe papersl" he cried. Give them to
me girl; they are mine.
At that moment the door opened, and ere
Reuben Leslie could effect his rough pur-
pose, TO recover the packet, form had
sprang between him and the young girl. q
hand grasped the coveted papers, ans
drove back the amazed man with quicl
blow.
aYillainsls cried clear, ringing voice
which caused Edith to quiver with excite
ment and amazement, and then as he turned
to her she fell back, startled, trembling
and pale, with the hushed whisper OF he
lips:
Percy, my husband.
Great heavens. what evil fate sent hin
here? broke hoarsely from Warren, as HI
shrank behind Leslie. and drew his ha
uOWM over lis eyes AZ ne b5e5 me- al
lost =
Leslie. wild with rage. his eyes fashini
nike a madman's, recovered his footing, ans
fairly ground his teeth together in impatien
anger.
Edith, my wife, my darling, brola
from Sherwood's lips, as he approached
her with outstretehed arms II know all
how you have been deceived, how thest
villains have endeavored to break your trus
in my honor and love
She shrank from him with repeIIan
gesture and fell, half fainting, on the bed
# the picture Of his manly courage defy.
ing her enemies aroused her love, tha
scene in the garden on the night preyioui
obscured its brightness and brought vividll
to her mind the apparent evidence Of hi
perfdy.
His voice was choked with emotion ant
turned to rage as be confronted the tive
men.
aSeoundrels N he cried avon have allan.