Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-05-22
mere money was concerned, and the pinch Of

/ svhere money was concerned, and the pinch OF
want was not likely to make him more so.
Nor. we NAV be sure did all this escape the
JEALOUS ewes of Elizabeth. Things looked
black for her, but she did not intend to throw
No the cards on that account Only it was
time to lead trurnps In other words, Beatrice
must be fatally compromised in tho eyes OF
Owen Davies, If by any means this could be
brought about So far, things had gone well
for her schemes Beatrice and Godfrey loved
each other; Of that Elizabeth was certain.
But the existence of this secret, underhand
affection would avail her naught unless It
could be construed into acts. Everybody IS
free to indulge in secret predictions, but II
once they give them way, il once woman
character is compromised, then the world
avails itself of its opportunities ana destroys
her. What man, thought Elizabeth, would
marry a compromised womana II Beatrice
could be compromised Owen Davies would
not take her to wife-therefore this must De
brought about.
II sounds wicked and unnatural "Inpos-
sibIe that sister should 80 treat sister, the
reader of this history may say, thinking OF her
own. and of her affectionate and respectable
surroundings But it is not impossible. II
you, who doubt, will study the law reports,
and no worse occupation can be wished to you,
you win find that such things are possible.
| Human nature can rise to strange heights, and
it can also fall TO depths beyond your fathom-
| ing. Because a thing is without parallel In
your own small experience it in no way fol-
lows that it cannot be-
Elizabeth was a very remorseless person;
she was more-she was woman actuated by
passion and by greed, the two strongest mo-
tiyes known TO the human heart. But with
her remorselessness she united considerable
degree of intelligence, or rather Of intellect
Had she been savage she might have re-
moved her sister from her path by more
expeditions way; being what she was, she
merely stroye to effect the same end by
method not punishable by LAWN short, by
numbering her reputation. Would she be re-
sponsible if her sister went wrong, and was
thus utterly discredited in the eyes of this
man who wished to marry her ana whom
Elizabeth wished TO marry. OF course not;
that was Beatrice's affair But She could
give her every chance of falling into tempta-
ton, and this it was her fixed design to do.
Circumstances soon gave her an opportu-
nifty The need of money became very l,ress-
ing at the vicarage. They had literally no
longer the wherewirhal TO live The 1.-THE
payers absolutely refused 10 fulfill their obi
cations. As it happened, Jones, the man who
had murdered the auetioneer, was never
brought to trial He died shortly after his
arrest in a fit of deiirium tremens and ner-
vous prostration, brought on by the sudden
cessation Of a supply of stimulants, and an
example was lost that, had he been duly
hing, might have been made of the results OF
defying the law. Mr.. Granger was now too
poor to institute any further proceedings,
which, in the state OF public feeling in Wales,
might or might not succeed, he could only
submit, and submission meant beggary. In
deed, he WAS already beggar In this state
OF affairs he took counsel with Elizabeth,
pointing out that they must either get money
or starve. Now, the only possible way 10 get
money was by borrowing 1t, and Mr.. Gran
gers suggestion was that he should apply to
Owen Davies, who had plenty. Indeed, ne
would have done so long ago, but that the
squire had the reputation of being an exceed
ingly close listed man.
But this proposition did not at all suit |
Elizabeth's book. Her great object had been
to conceal Mr.. Dawes desires as regards |
Beatrice from her father, and her daily dread |
was that he might become acquainted with |
them from some outside source. She knew |
very well that if her father went up TO the |
Castle to borrow money it would be lent, or 4
rather given, freely enough; but she also |
knew that the lender would almost certainly /
take the opportunity, the very favorable OPP I
portunity, 10 unfold bis wishes as regards the /
borrowers daughter. The one thing would |
naturally lead 70 the other-the promise Of 1
her fathers support of Owens suit would be /
the consideration for the money received. /
How gladly that support would be- given was /
also obvious TO her, and with her father
pushing Beatrice on the one side and Owen |
Davies pushing her on the other, how could /
Elizabeth be sure that sic would not yieldf |
Beatrice would be the very person to be car
ried away by an idea OF duty Their father
would tell her that he had got the money on
this understanding, and it was quite possible
that her pride might bring her to fulfil a
bond thus given, however distasteful the
deed might be to her personally No; her
father must at oil hazards be prevented from
seeking assistance from Owen Davies And
yet the money must be had from somewhere
Or they woaii be r'iiaei.
All, she had lt-tieoiTrey Bingham should
lend the money! He could we'll afford il
now. and sine shrewdly guessed that he would
not grudge the coat OF his back if be thought
that by giving il he might directly or in
directly help Beatrice. Her father must go
up to town TO see him, she would have no
etter writing; one never knows how a letter
may be read lie must see Mr. Bingham,
and If possible bring him down to Bryngelly.
In moment every detail Of the plot became
clear to Elizabeth's mind, and then she
poke.
you must not go to Mr.. Davies, father,n
he said; ''he is hard man and would only
'efuse and pat you in false position; you
must go to Mr.. Bingham. Listen; he is rich
low, and he IS very fond of you and of
Beatrice. lie viii lend you a hundred pounds
It once. You must 90 to London by the
'arly train tomorrow, and drive straight to
lis chambers and see him. 1t will cost two
,ounds to get there and back, bat that can
lot be helped; il is safer than writing, aud |
I'm sure that you will not go for nothing. !
And see here, father, bring Mr. Bingham
Jack with you for few days if you can It
will be little return for his kindness. and
NOW that he is not well Beatrice had a
etter from him in which he said that he was
~. l.. -. !