The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-06-02
TOM.
DRYSOl'S CRIME.
BY THE MAJOR"
CHAPTER XIX.
TIE HANn or KATIE

met HtT.
While she had not the slightest af-
lection for Edgar Van Wyck, the news
of his sudden death had shocked her,
as it did all who had known him. But
it awakened no emotion in her breast
besides that of pity for his mother,
whom she had met twice since her
hand had been promised to the son.
That afternoon Tom Bryson did not
go to his work. He lit his pipe after
dinner, and sat down to smoke in
silence.
When his daughter had disposed of
the dishes he saw her come into the
sitting-toom with her bonnet and shawl
on.
"Hilloa, Jess!" he cried. What's
up now?"
Il am going over to see Mrs. Van
Wyck."
"Oh, aye-the mother of that young
fool who died the other day."
She made no reply to his brutal re-
mark.
L was willing you should marry
him, Jess" he said. Don't know but
| wanted you to. But it's Just as well
as it is. He was a poor kind of a
stick. What do you think about it,
anyway"
Her lips were silent, her sad eyes
made him uneasy.
80, well, if you don't want to talk
about him, never mind. Only" and
his voice grew hoarse, don't you dare
to have any love-nonsense With that
aristocrat, Randall Belmont! L hate
him II hate the name do you hear :?
If | catch him here with you, I'll
knock his brains out with the ak
She left him growing over his pipe,
and went on her way to Mrs. Van
Wyck's. All that we have seen of this
girl has shown us that obedience to her
father, consideration for his wishes,
was her law III life; hence, it will not
seem strange, after this TRADE, that
she FASTENED past Randall Belmont on
the way.
Mrs. Van Wyek answered her knock
at the cottage, and fell back with lit
tie cry of surprise and pain as she
recognized her.
You, Miss Bryson-is it you? o,
why did you come? You did not love
my poor boy; l saw it, but he would
not believe it; and by-and-by, when
he came to understand it, he went
heart-broken, and died. o, why did
you Gomez"
The scene in the wood was not then
known to Jessica, any more than to the
widow. The latter had taken it for
granted, from the few words uttered
by Edgar before he died, that he had
quarreled and parted with the girl.
Jessica could not undeceive her, be-
cause she had no suspicion of the
truth nor of the widows belief.
Mildly reproducing her visitor, as we
have told, Mrs. YanWyck led her into
the cottage, Then, seeing the misery
and compassion on the beautiful face
before her, she threw her arms about
her neck, and sobbed upon her shout
der.
Very sadly and tenderly, then, did
Jessica console the poor mother, and
justify herself.
i did not love him; never pretend
ed to, she said. But my father asked,
almost commanded me, and yielded.
L would have obeyed, though it wreck
ed my happiness; or, rather, though it
made happiness as impossible to me
as 1T has always been. | pity you, from
tho bottom OF my weary heart; and oh,
give me your pity, too, for | am very
Wretched /"
1t was not in the kind, motherly soul
to resist such an appeal as this. She
took the girl to her heart; she kissed
her, she smoothed her hair, and de-
clared that she would always love her
as daughter.
The long shadows were falling across
tho road Iocciaa aeraI0 ,,accaI ox-ar
it. As she reached clump of trees, a
man emerged from it, leading a horse.
She quickened her pace, but in a mo-
ment he overlook her.
"Why do you avoid and turn away
from me?" he asked.
leave NEEDN'T follow mel" she
answered. 1t is for your own good. F"
She ayerted her face; still he has
tened along by her side, with his arm
through the rein, striving to take her
hand and calling her endearing names
She answered not. He poured out his
longing heart to her; he besought her
to speak to him. She looked not,
spoke not-until, in despair, he led his
horse right before her and blocked her
way.
\ faint red spot was in her cheek.
Have | not told you that it is i'm
possible?" she demanded.
1T shall be possible!" he cried.
She trembled rs his deep, resonant
voice pronounced the words; at the
strong purpose that looked from his
eyes.
alas there come no change with the
death OF Edgar Van Wyck?" he asked.
Does not that free YOU from YOUR
promise?"
She shook her head.
Why" he impatiently cried. why
3 1t You give me no reason"
But this afternoon" she replied,
with an unsteady voice, my father told
me that you should never enter his
house again; he even threatened to
drive you out with his AK if he found
You there. knowing this, will you still
distress me by coming?"
will you still obey such a father ?"
"He is my father. When | was
mere childI promised my dying mother
that | would always be faithful to him.
1t is this that controls me. cannot
disobey him."
DO you then bid me stay away from
you?"
"Yes."
The word was spoken low, but dis
tinct
Your wish is my Law; I obey. But
from your words, from your looks,
from all you do and say, l know you
love me. Though l ana barred away
from you for the present, vet | know
1t will not be for long. / know it, [
feel til Jessica, there is fate in it: we
cannot be separated! Not the mount
ans, nor the seas, nor tine, nor space,
nor the peryersity of any human heart
can long part those whom God made
for each other. Believe it, dear. as |
do, and all will be well with us. Good
by-for little
The bride was flung away; his arms
elasped her unresisting; again and
again he kissed her yielding lips.
tearing himself at last from the de-
,l.ya I