The record-union., 1891-12-19

here her eyes fell, for the first time, on
Mr. Bell. He came forward and shook
hands with her cordially. and turning to
the men he said: Miss Somers is
daughter of one of the most popular
Captains on this coast. Your hasty iudg-
ment has led you all into a grave error
As Miss Somers was too sick to realize her
danger, therefore she was not worried, as
she might have been, over this case. She
will probably forgive you, but not forget
your kindness in wanting to put rope
round her neck.'
GU are jealous OF the rope, I think
likely, Mr.. Tenderfoot,'' piped voice
from the crowd: and Bell colored as he
led Roy upstairs.
The meeting was too much for Roy.
She reached the room, threw herself on
the sofa and burst into tears. "You have
made me think-think of everything.
Why did you come?n she sobbed.
because l could not help it. 1 am
sorry If worry you," said he. ''Miss
Roy, please don't cry. You distress me-"
and drew her head down on his shoul-
der. 1t seemed the most natural thing
for him toEdo, yet his heart was beating
like trip hammer at his own temerity.
Il came because | love you," he con-
tinued. Would it be very hard for you
10 lON0 ul6-LO De my WlIGg'
Roy raised her head and looked at him
sadly.
'You-you," she said, "want me for
your wife. You don't know that have
no name, no right to the one l bear''
II know your whole history" he re-
piled. Il heard it from your father,
CAPTAIN Somers. Do you care to hear it
before you give me my answer?"
She nodded assent, and he went on:
"Your mothers first husband was Il
drunkard and gambler. Life with him
was impossible. She returned to her
home in the East and left him in Califor-
MIA. Report reached her of his death,
and, after time, she met the Captain
and married him. Then came rumor
that ne was living. The Captain left your
mother and you two children in q quiet
town in New York State, and came West
with his ship 20 find out the truth. He
was wrecked on the Island Of Fernandez
4 long time elapsed before he could leave
there, and, finally, on reaching San Fran
cisco he wrote and telegraphed, but re-
ceived no reply. He found out. how
ever, that the first husband had died on
the day he married your mother-eight
hours before the ceremony. Now tell me
who told you differently, and what made
you leave the steamer that night?'
Roy shuddered and hid her face, then
mastering herself she said:
Mrs. Merlin told me l must. She told
me he killed my mother"
"And you believed her." said Bell,
without asking the Captain, or giving
him a chance to defend himself?"
u had 10 go. She made me, and-and
last week she would not let me write my
own brother Lee.'
WAS she here?" asked Bell. in won
dering tone.
only at night. And this week [ could
Bnf. f,,y
Oh, am SO afraid of her eyes. Mr.. Bell,
don't let her come near me, will you?'
she said. pleadingly.
Nonsense, darling" he said, fondly,
putting protecting arm around her.
Il know now-the whole thing is in a
nutshell. She is hypnotist, and hypno-
tized you to get you out OF the way. i
knew the name Merlin was familiar.
Why, she was very clever at it. She
made your father feel as if he was net
work of strings, and she held the main
brace and made him do what she wanted
him to. | believe she was in love with
him, but it is all over now. She is dead
and at rest, hope. A cable-car sent her
below hatches.'
''Is she dead?'' said Roy. ''Oh, 1 Won
der if it is a sin to be glad?''
NO: Pm sure not" said Bell. You
have not answered my first question yet.
Would you find it hard to love me?"
NO." said Roy, softly.
Bell bent down and kissed her cheek
tenderly.
"Will you be my wife?" he asked
again.
Eyes, if you want wife so easily inf1u-
enced," said Roy.
My dear, you are the woman I want;
and the poet says: Though she bends
him, she obeys him. Though she lead
him, yet she follows And so, if you
love me it will be all right, for you are
the dearest little she | know, and l have
followed you long way
- Know" said Roy greatfully, smiling
at him. $50 If you really care for me; are
you sure, DEAR" she asked softly, that
you do?''
His answer was kiss that senta happy
light into her dark eyes. So we viii leave
them to discuss a future till we see what
the murdered woman was going to do.
The towns people had started collec-
ton for her, given her a turkey and a
basket Of dainties to take back to jim,
and had hired Thomas Jefferson to drive
her back the following day to spend the
Christmas with jim.
The next day Roy held reception and
had to forgive the whole town, and they
presented her with eight large nuggets
found in the "clean up" besides her
overdue salary.
The stage took Bell and Roy to the city
Christmas Eve, The Captain was of
duty, and Lee received a telegram to look
out Tor them.
The Captain met Roy with open arms,
and her brother Lee was actually beside
himself with joy.
Mr.. Bell stood quietly by, and, after q
few moments, he said:
Il want salvage. Captain, for bringing
in this unnamed yacht l will be
owner and Captain if you will let me
have her-for I've cast my lead in the
sea of love full twenty fathoms deep
the derehct will amply repay me-"
God bless you-yes,o said Captain
Somers, shaking his hand; but not yet
not quite yet till l know her myself''
But Bell was happy, and so was Roy,
at even this reply.
Lee rather grumbled at what he called
Roy's hurry to leave him and their father.
Il never thought you would marry such
quiet fellow as George Bell, anyhow"
"0h," said Roy, ''he is n OF quiet when
we are together. He don't need to talk