The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-05-19
TOM
DRYSOI'S CRIME.
BY THE MAJOR
CHAPTER XIV.


The great black animal that Randall
Belmont rode was fastened to sap
ling, and his rider was at the door.
Her first impulse was to retire to her
own room; but the door was open, the
weather being very mild, and he was in
the hall before she could reach it.
He babe her good morning, snd
came right into the sitting-room, not
waiting for an invitation. There was
something in his face that she had
never seen there before He hesitated
not a moment nor uttered a word of
the commonplace that usually pass
between acquaintance at ordinary
meetings. What there was on his min d
and there was much of it-came out
Immediately.
Il know my call is untimely," he
said, "but | have that to say to you that
will excuse it. Your father dislikes
me; / must come to talk with you when
he is not here
Her heart leaped up-and sank
again.
81 must tell you, Mr.. Belmont, that
my father has forbidden me to receive
any more of your visits"
this before; and may [ not therefore
greeable to you?'
His eyes frightened, his voice was
eager and persuasive. But she next
spoke in a tone that chilled him, with
words that staggered him,
/ viii no longer be disobedient to
my fathers wishes When l tell YOU,
Mr.. Belmont, that | am to be married
next week, you will not wish to come
here again.
Married next week"
The blood forsook his face; his voice
faltered, and he leaned on the table
for support,
yes, she simply said.
Il never knew nor suspected this, !"
he cried, passionately. why did you
leave me in ignorance of it? You must
have known, Won surely saw in my
face that l loved you"
She answered not She could trust
neither her voice nor her feelings.
Married next week." he repeated,
IN dreary, hopeless way. May I ask,
to whom ?"
ITO Edgar Van Wyck."
of establishment.
Can you be serious. Miss Bryson ?
What marry that boy-that green
mllksop of a fellow-you? 1t is in
credible! [ viii not believe that you
have deliberately consented to this"
She made no answer. He saw the
rigid, hopeless look on her face, but he
would not understand it.
"Now, hear me, he exclaimed, stand
ing before her, and speaking with an
energy that made his face glow as he
poured forth his words. "You have
nothing to say for this strange engage
ment; what has constrained you to such
folly, | cannot tell, but | know that
your heart is not in it. I have loved
you since | first saw you, last October.
II
"Stopl-spare mel" she cried, rails
ing her hands imploringly. Isl y no
more; you are only making misery
for both of us. What | have told Won
is true; it cannot be changed. Leave
me, and forget that you ever saw
me"
Confession spoke in her words-ad-
mission of hopeless love for the man
before her he heard and understood
it; he seized her hands; she struggled
to withdraw them, but could not
L know, he went on, that | am
not hateful to you, whatever l may be
to your father, ,iessica l Will call
you so. / have seen something of the
world and its people, and l have read
you Have | not seen that YOU were
struggling against Yourself when YOU
tried to treat me coolly? 1t has given
me hope.
Hope no MORE she family in,
terrupted.
Il viii hope-I viii not give you up
You need not tell me that YOU do not
love that poor weaklng; that / know
at once. What compels you to sacri-
flee your happiness, to wreck your
future IN tins way? Can it be that
YOU have been oyerpersuaded by your
father 20 consent to this monstrous
union, to CRAFTY some selfish within oil
his own? l pray you, reflect You
have higher duty than to him; your
duty to yourself. Remember,"
My word Is pledged she MUIR
INJURED. Il cannot break it,"
she no longer tried to remove her
hands from MS grasp. Her breath
came quick, her eyes fell; her. heart
spoke out in her actions as well as her
words.
You can and must break it! Such
a promise Is always better broken than
kept. Think of the life You will lead
with m In the name Of the welded
happiness that you deserve, in the
name Of the place in the world and in
its society that YOU were meant to fill.
! ask you: what can he give YOU to nav
for the lack Of love? Shall tell Won
what | can give you besides nv whole
heart?'
Her bloodless face, her vacant ewes
We're raised to him. She did not for
bid him TO tell.
Il will tell YOU what it would be ia
become my wife, he went on. when
this sorrowful business that brought
me here shall be euded-and it is we'll
nigh ended now-I shall return to nv
home in the city. 1t is such nome
as you We're meant for home OF
wealth and luxury. NV mother is not
living, but my married sisters will
warmly welcome you. Society will be
prOud O Won vCr1r happ5pace nc -, =