Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-04-04

LIZ O0NOI0O w AOI
and was soon her acknowledged lover.
Miss Wentworth frowned forbiddingly
on him when he visited her, but despite
her discomfort and scant courtesy, his
attentions to Minona were incessant until
he was called away by his fathers i'll
ness. 1t was just at that time that
Philip Wentworth returned, recalled
doubtless by his sisters letters warning
him that the bird was being shared.
Rendered anxious thereby and thor
oughly aroused to the danger of longer
delay, within few days after his ar
rival he addressed Minona, with what
result we have already seen.
After his interview with her he sought
his sister and laid before her his quickly
conceived plans. He was absolutely
certain of her cooperation, whatever
they might be. His plan was briefly
this: Minona should be kept a prisoner
in her room seeing no,one but his sister,
and at stated times himself, when he
sought her presence to urge a compli-
ance with his wishes.
Her friends were to be told that she
was i'll and could see no one. If,
after reasonable time. she should con-
tinue obstinate in her refusal of him,
she should be taken to a private mad
house remote from London. where
lack of principle, encouraged by tempt
ing fees, would insure her safe keeping
for life, or as long as her guardian de-
sired it.
With Esther Wentworth to hear was
- 81
stormy and the earth was deluged with
rain which would, of course, prevent
Minona's going out, and tomorrow
we'll, tomorrow would take care of it
self.
Very late the next day Minona awoke
after long, heavy sleep to find herself
in a strange little room, lit only by
skylight. Her surprise was very great,
for she had retired as usual in her own
room and had not the faintest recol-
lection of leaving it. 1t was not long
ere the mystery was explained. Miss
Wentworth entered the room, and when
the door had been locked behind her
bv her brother, who had accompanied
her that far, she told her in cold, merci
less tones so much of her brothers
plans as related to her imprisonment
until she should reconsider her decision
and give him q different answer. She
had to this extent been drugged and re-
moved to this small room in the top of
the house, from which there was no
possibility of escape or appealing to
any one!
Her passionate protests, and assertion
that she would die rather than alter her
decision were received with abso-
lutte indifference, and she was
left alone to reflect On the horrors
of her position and pray for way of
escape.
Three times day came the embas-
sage to her door, Miss Wentworth en-
tering with the girls meals, her brother
waiting without as double guard. Once
every few days he demanded an inter-
view to press his suit and urge her &c
ceptance of it.
Cruel and ruthlessly selfish as he
was in his poor way, he cared for the
girl, and was touched by her pale, pa
thetic appearance. though stung to
madness by her indomitable courage
and endurance and by her fidelity to
her lover. Twas at the close of one of
these interviews when he had exhausted
his power of appeal, and realized the
hopelessness of it, that he said as he
rose to depart:
~This cannot go on always. Of course
I cannot compel you to marry me
because. unfortunately, marriage is q
contract and you would have to take
part in making it. This you refuse to
do, and there is but one alternative left
me. Listen to me and then decide your
own fate. I can put you in mad
house! Now make your choice between
that and being my wife, one or the
other is iEevitable!"
He stood before her the very embodi-
ment of evil passion. 1t was useless to
appeal to his better nature; he had
none, and he was absolutely merciless
now with everything at stake. Besides
this he had gone too far; he must 90 on.
The days that followed were always a
blank to Minona when she took up the
thread of life again. after fearful night.
when she had been saved as by fire.
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