Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-03-03

"Scoundrell VIII you come with handcuHs
and billets to take away my wife from my
arms for following your lying counsels. Is
that your law! Does it choose such ministers
as you to break up peaceful homes and shut
behind bars a woman as innocent as an
angeln
Philip was advancing toward him. when
| Giddings suddenly threw up tho window and
leaned out to shout to a policeman. Then he
| looked back to Philip,
"Another step and your wife goes to Jail"
II won't touch YOU And Philip folded
his arms across his breast, while the red blood
forsook his face at the threat. He was in
this contemplate creatures power. He might
grind his teeth at him; he must obey him.
"You seem very obtuse, Mr.. Breton" ex-
planned the lawyer, from respectful dis
lance. 81 have no i'll will toward Mrs
Breton, very modest, and may add
'As sure as there is God, if you speak Of
her So I will throw you from the window.
Your secret will die with you then"
The lawyer smiled unhealthily ~ want
money, that is all there is to it. You are
rich-Mrs. Breton-well, well, don't be an
cry. In a word, want to be paid to keep
my secret"
Philip cast a glance of ineffable contempt
at him. Then he put his hands behind him
and walked slowly across the room The
price of life, of honor, of liberty No money
could measure it, But what trust could he
rest in the fidelity of so base creature as
thisi The vampire would suck his blood for
ever, and forever cry for more he would
learn that his victim would make himself n
beggar to save this woman, and would beg
gar him without shame The creature might
not stop with money favors; he might re-
quire to be made q companion; to be invited
tn tab fripnHS n
be godfather to his children, and at last in
anger at some unintended slight, or in some
drunken debauch, might bring or call down
the ruin dreaded so long. His lifelong slav-
cry would hava been in vain. Better a
dungeon-no, Bertha must not be sacrificed.
Philip turned on his heel and stopped before
his tormentor.
"How much do you want!"
His CLASSY eye frightened. ooh, will not
be too hard just because have got the whip
hand of you. Say 500, and your secret is
safe"
For how longF sneered Philip
Forever" answered Giddings, with virtu-
Gus decision. II swear before God l will
never ask another penny Of you; and your
secret shall die with me-"
Philip had taken out his poCketbook He
found a $50 bill; then he drew a check for
$50. The poor lawyer eyed the money with
a great tenderness; his heart softened at
sight Of it, and the love of appreciation, that
never dies out of even the most degraded
soul, stirred in his.
Il amt SO bad a fellow, after all, }" he said,
as he took up the money; Il know lots of
men who in my place wouldn't have let you
off for less than a cool thousand"
"Your circle of friends must be very
select" Philip was moving toward the door.
ITO be sure, to be sure but somehow the
lawyer kept close to him, Il couldn't help
feeling sorry for you and then your wife is
such nice woman; it never seemed to me
jails were made for such as she"-
stop your driveling," cried Philip, turn
ing on him SO suddenly that the man fancied
at first he had been struck, keep your blood
money, but don't dare to breathe her name.
even in your prayers
The lawyer chuckled to himself when the
door closed behind his wealthy client, 81
suppose have considerable grit"
Then he pocketed tho bill and scrutinized
the check But was almost too easy with