The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-06-22

"Well, here she is, and she says she
rather go with you.'
Moxon caught sight of the outline of the
black lace hat he had admired so much that
| day. Miss Halliweu WIS close behind
Jimmy.
'I-rm afraid she'll get wet" he said
quickly Look here, I'd really rather not
take her Jimmy, rm-Tm married man,
you know"
'sWell, YOU needn't trouble yourself about
| that answered Jimmy, in the same low
voice, ''for heard to-day that your wife is
I going Off indeed she hasn't gone off
/ with young fellow l know, who is also a
| married man,
| Edward Moxon answered not a word, but
sat as if turned to stone, while his friend
| helped the young lady, who seemed rather
\ nervous and crest-fallen over her misad-
venture, to take her place in the boat.
Jimmy laughed and chartered away to keep
up her spirits, and then, rousing Moxon
| with rough shake from the state of stupe-
| faction into which he had fallen, whispered
\ in his ear:
| "Come, pull yourself together, Ted. There
1 are as good fish in the sea as ever come out
ofSt."
| Pm all right" answered MoXon huskily.
He turned the boat round and began pull
| ing down the stream with a strong stroke,
without one look at his companion.
| "Pll steer; know the river" was all he
| said.
AS for the lady, she seemed thoroughly
| frightened by the predicamentin which she
! found herself, and sat, huddled up in her
wraps, without uttering a word until, when
they had passed through Moulsey Lock, a
Il Zach Of ;uht on-lcnd har IN coraam
There is 10 danger,n said ne shortly in
hard, dry voice.
A few moments later the rain came down
| in torrents, breaking the surface of the
water into little waves, Kissing among the
| leaves of the trees on the banks, darkening
| the air like shower of swords. Moxon I'M
shipped his oars, and leaning over his com
| panion's seat with curt apology, produced
| from the stern a macintosh, which he I'M
folded and put around his companion. AL
though he did this in the most mechanical
manner possible, she apparently took this
attention for an advance toward amity, for
she murmured THANK you'' in a very soft,
seductive whisper, and even seized his hand
and pressed it warmly between hers. But
his fingers might have been wood; he did
not seem to feel her touch. With little
coquetish, impatient shrug, therefore, she
pushed him away as he was trying to but
ton the macintosh round her.
Il should not have hurt you madam" he
said coldly.
And, withdrawing at once, he resumed
his seat, and began to row again with all
his might.
The storm was now at its height. Every
few minutes the thunder roared in their
ears, and through the binding sheet of rain
the glare of the lightning flashed into their
eyes, lighting up the earth and sky and
water in a CHASTITY illumination. They shot
under Kingston Bridge in black darkness,
with a sound like the painting breath of a
huge beast in their ears and the next flash
| showed them that they were almost under
the bows of steam tug which, travelling up
stream with its long train of black, broad
barges, looked like monster water serpent
showing its back here and there above the
| water.
At sight OF the danger they had escaped
the lady's courage gave way altogether.
so, we might have been killed." she
sobbed.
| Moxon rested for moment upon his oars
something in the sound of her voice had
struck him; but then the roar of the thunder
was still in his ears. After the shortest of
pauses he went on again, and pulled steadily
until they went out of the wash Of the tug,
and the dark hull of the last of the barges
had disappeared behind them. Then he bent
forward and said hoarsely:
"Who are you!"
There was no answer. Moxon stretched
out strong hand and shook his companion
arm roughly, repeating his question more
savagely than before. Then the woman's
voice sounded out quite clear and cold:
II suppose you know. l am your wife"
The boat trembled under the man as he
drew back into his seat, breathing hard. He
had to clear his voice again and again be-
fore he asked
SIS it true-what Constable said!"
"What was that?'
'That you were going off with some
MANI"
Ida laughed coldly.
at is true, but it is not all the truth"
''What do you mean:'
"You can guess, suppose. You are not
child"
''And you have gone out of your way to
meet me-to tell-me-that!''
SIT is my revenge, my perfectly just re-
venge. You left me like a coward, taking
advantage of my youth and inexperience to
me take my chance"
''Ida. is it you, really you. You can talk
to me like that! Have you lost all heart!
Are you-can you"
He stopped abruptly, unable to force into
coherent utterance the strong emotions
| which were battling within him. When he
spoke again it was in low, thick voice.
''1da, child I, knew l did wrong. But
was the blame all on my side. Tell me that
you didn't mean what you said just now.
Say it ism true.''
1T is true, it is true, it is true" broke out
Ida in passionate answer. "You were cold
to me; if had been wicked woman you
could not have left me more coldly. Now
it's my turn
"But have suffered for it, child; I have
been miserable. l know 1 ought to have
been more PATIENT ought to have remem-
| bered how young you were. Are you not
satisfied! Ida, you are wronging yourself
and me- Are you not! Tell me-"
| 1.-THE roar of Teddington Weir behind him
began to sound family in their ears, but
neither would have needed it even if the
storm had not been raging. With face
convulsed with passion, Edward Moxon,
neglectinghis oars, was bending forward to
peer into his wife's face with passionate
eyes, the gaze of which she would not meet
"No,' she said doggedly, II do not con,
slider that wrong you. Surely since you