Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-08-14
BETRAYED;1
A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance of LoUe, intrigue and
Crime.
By MRS. ALICE p. oARR1sroN.
CHAPTER XII.
pIsHoNoRED.


The President of the Atlantic National
Bank, in which Eugene Cleveland had
been assistant bookkeeper, and in whi6
Ray Fielding was still employed, was
Sidney Leland, Esquire, q near neighboI
OF the Hon. Sherwood Elliston, and O
very wealthy and important parsonage, in.
deed.
He had married young, and had two
grown-up children SON and daughter.
The son, Warren Leland, was not far from
twenty-eigbt years Of age. The daughter
was some years younger.
ful afternoon Eugene walked slowly to-
ward the next corner, lingering for stage
to overtake him.
As he arrived opposite the Leland man.
sion the door opened and q young man
issued forth. He was not only strikingly
handsome but very stylish looking, and
had that indescribable air of the elite
which, without words, proclaimed to all
the world how exceedingly well satisfied
he was with himself and his position in
life.
An unaccountable feeling Of aversion
seized Eugene, and he experienced O
sensation such as one is said to feel when
Warren Leland" he muttered, as he
passed on. Wonder what he's up to nowi
Some deviltry, I'll be bound.
Leland, after nod of recognition,
walked slowly down the street.
Presently cab approached. He sig
nal d the driver, and, as it drew up to the
sidewalk, said:
Grand Central Depot" and sprang in
side
On reaching the depot, he bought q
ticket for Bedford Park, and little later
landed at that station.
He made his way to one of the most
attractive streets Of the village IN foot,
and presently stopped before gate upon
which a gentleman, little older than
himself, was leaning.
This man, Hobart Brownell, had been
Leland, and trusted him.
He had been poor. but now was q sue
cessful civil engineer, and likely, in the
near future, to be very rich.
His family consisted of his wife, very
beautiful lady some years younger than
himself, and her mother.
sight of Brownell, and had only recently
met him again and become acquitted with
his wife.
But since he had first seen her, his
visits to Bedford Park had been quite
disturbing Amy Brownelrs peace of mind.
AT first she had only been dazzled by
the elegant Warren Leland; but soon,
without herself really knowing it, this
man had taken possession Of her very
soul.
He. seeing clearly the situation, was
little disquieted at the course things were
taking. and made some slight effort to
divert 1t.
But men, who in fencing wish to spare
their adversary, often find habit too
strong for them, and lunge home in spite
Of themselves.
Besides. he began to be really interested
in Amy Brownell-in her unsophisticated
ways, at once artful and simple, provoking
and timid, suggestive and reticent-in
short, charming.
And so it was he was now standing OF
the gate facing her husband.
here you can do me great favor. A tel
egram calls me suddenly to Chicago.
must go on the instant. The ladies are
feeling quite blue; pray stay and dine
with themi can't tell what the deuce
ails my wife. She is weeping half the
time. My mother in-law has headache.
Your presence will cheer them. So stay.
I beg Of you."
Leland refused. hesitated, made objec-
tions, and, Of course, consented. He went
in, and his friend presented him to the
ladies, whom the presence Of the unex-
A. H. -
Browneli started for the depot, after re-
ceiving from his wife an embrace more
fervent than usual.
The dinner was really cheerful.
In the atmosphere was that subtle es-
sence of coming danger of which both
Leland and Amy felt the exhilaraiing in
fuence. Their excitation, as yet innocent,
employed itself in those lively sallies--
those brilliant combats at the barriers
that ever precede the more serious con-
hict
About 9 o'clock the headache Of Amy's
mother became more violent. She de-
clared she could endure it no longer, and
must retire to her chamber. Leland
wished to withdraw, but the elder lady
insisted he should wait until it was time
for the next train.
4Let my daughter amuse you with some
music until then, she added.
Left alone with her guest, the younger
lady seemed embarrassed.
What shall play for your" she asked,
In q constrained voice. taking her seat at
the piano.
Oh, anything. Play waltz, answered
Leland, absently:
The waltz finished, an awkward silence
ensued. To break it she arose hesitating-
y, then clasping her hands together, ex-