Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-04-25
Yet-could Ha rmon Dupont speak


Harmon don't see why you
brought me her e. | expected to go
to a hotel or your boarding place
Could we talk there? You must
think | want N business known
said the man impatiently.' "Did |
know it would ri in when we left the
station? Come in; here's settee"
A moment of silence, during which
Vera sat upright, with her eyes fixed,
upon the door.
"Now we can talk matters over"
said Harmon Dupont but warn
you to be reasonable, Cassy-l'm not
in a mood for nonsense"
"Reasonable!'' echoed the other
bitterly. Sup pose | said | had
come here becaus e you neglected me,
and deceived mo that my patience
was worn out, and | demand my
rights
"Demand!" SO id Dupont, with
short, ugly laug h. "No one ever
gained anythiH g by making de-
mands of me'
"Then | will not waste my energies.
| will go straight to Miss Lyons" said
the girl.
'Ha! you know"
81 know that tomorrow is the day
set for your marriage, but Classy
Trueman is the woman who should
stand beside youp' said the woman
passionately. 4 Harmon, | left my
home and kind parents at your bid
ding; put a barrier forever between
me and-nnd the old life. l thought
you would kee D your word, but |
found thatyo we're false. When you
discovered that L was not the weak
fool you took me for, you threw aside
the mask, yet eV en- then you would
not tell me the truth, but | know
you never intended to be true to your
word. Harmon, / could not believe
you had ceased to love me; l would
have married " on even then when
knew what a selfish, cruel man you
were, for | loved you. but when
heard you were to makel another
woman your wife | crushed out that
love and resolved to make one last
appeal, and then if you refused, go to
her and tell her whom she was about
to trust herselfwith."
80 that is your camel" sncered
Dupont, and the sting of his tones
pierced the heart of the silent listen
er-it killed the fancy she called love.
"And dare you tell me this-in this
placer"
"Why-"
"Oh, you may well shrink, Classy,
Tor YOU have reused the demon with
in. tell you love Vera Lyon, and
| know your story would turn her
from me-she believes in me, and
rather than hav that belief shatter-
ed | would still your treacherous
tongue, do you hear me? Do you
think | would let you come between
me and happiness now? Great Heav-
|, ems, would kill you first!''
"Harmon!"
The word ended in muffled gasp,
for he had sprung upon her and clasp
ed his arms around her slender form
Vera rushed to the doorway, forgetful
ofherself, but she paused when she saw
that the man was not about to com.
NIT the dread deed she feared.
He had lifted the girl from her feet
and borne her to a vault-like closet
The next insta MT the heavy door
changed to, and the rusty bolt slip
ped into place. From the inside
came n shrek, responded to by q
! sardonic peal OF laughter from with
| out.
"Good-by, Cd ssy," said Dupont
sarcastically. i hope you'll have 6
pleasant night. No one comes this
way once month, and you'll hav.
time to reflect u pom your folly"
"Harmon-mercy, I'll die herep
came the muffled tones.
Every well. / dare say it is not {
3 good place for living.
And with last malicious laugh
+ Dupont walked out.
; The storm was nearly over, ant
the evening Clio pm hid his form ere HI
crossed the clearing.
Vera waited d few moments, during
which utter silence reigned. Thel
' she crossed to the closet door ant
, drew the heavy bolt.
81 am Vera Lyons" she said tx
the girl who approached her, with fea
and wonder on her face.