The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-08
THE MURDERER.
mRIT7EH FOB The SUNDAY CALL BY FLORENCE WARDEN

now that my money Is my sole value. Now
that you have shown me such is the case. L
don't want to waste ii or to advance to you
more than will enable you to gain your
end"
by all that's good! I'll do that, with or
without your consent"
He sprang upon her furi0usly as the
words passed his lips, and endeavored to
wrench the bag from her grasp. But Fellce
had contrived TO so envelope it in the folds
! of her cloak that to reach it was no easy
matter, and before Robert could accomplish
| this, Felce, by swift movement, had dis
| engaged her left hand, and sharply pulled
the bell.
The door opened to admit Marcus small,
plump person, with Matrices square shout
ders towering behind him. Felice blushed
deeply. but, with the quiet assurance of
much older woman, she turned toward
them. and after apOlogizing for having trou-
bled them, plunged at once into business
l am going to ask you a favor on my own
account" she said. "Mr. Fenton has eA-
| planned to me about the ceremony on Mon
| day am alluding to his uncle's Will l
have with me here a considerable sum Oh
money As | shall not see Mr. Fenton again
| before the bank closes tomorrow and as
| understand the legacy will go to the one oil
you three who can show the highest balance
| it would save great deal OF trouble ana con-
fusion, to me personally, az least, II you
would let us know-my husband and me, L
mean-whether it is of any use putting any
sum in at all or, on the other hand, whether
it is necessary to bank the whole amount
which am carrying in this bag, and which
represents the entire fortune my father left
10 me-
long pause followed this speech of Eel
ices. She was standing by the table, lean
ing one hand upon it, and looking down upon
the cloth, and she spoke slowly and hesit-
atingy, as though carefully choosing her
words.
This is really most extraordinary pro-
posal, Mrs. Fenton," Marcus said at last,
land one which l hardly see my way to
meeting"
A flash OF triumph lit up the face of
| Felice's husband.
Il told you, my DEAR" he said, "that
| women shOald never NEEDLE in business.
| Your well-meant Efforts are simply inter-
| fering and offensive in the eyes of these
gentlemen"
Not in mine" put in Maurice, brusquely,
| while Felice raised her face, sulfnsed with a
| livld blush. and looked doubtfully across at
! him. Here Mrs. FentOn, Is my handbook,
made up in view of Monday. You are very
welcome to read it; but | must tell you l
have been beaten already in the race.
As he spoke, Maurice drew the book from
his pocket, and laid it on the table before
Felice. His cousin glanced at the sum total
over Felice'S shoulder, and then laid his
hand on her arm.
My dear child" he said, you must
! of these gentlemen's affairs. YOu are put-
| ting yourself and me, too, in very painful
! and ridiculous position by this childish de-
| sire 10 pry into what does not concern you. -
The Ted and white chased each other over
| Felice's face as her husband spoke. He
| had meant to make her ashamed Of herself,
! and he thoroughly succeeded.
But the startled look of appeal in her
! eyes was more than the poet Marcus could
| resist, and he addressed her in soothing
| tones.
Pray don't distress yourself, Mrs. Fen
| ton" he said. III you viii allow me to
| give you little advice L should counsel you
to keep your money in your own possession.
But as l see by your face you will not be
suffered to do that | will give you my word
as a gentleman that $4,000 will be sum
beyond anything | personally can produce
or Monday, as the idea of marrying a beau
tiful young girl, ignorant of the world
ways, and then working upon her feelings
10 induce her TO hand me over her entire
fortune, has never yet suggested itself to
me. However, by the terms of this unjust
will, the money counts as the same, what
ever the means used to obtain it, aud under
those circumstances gentlemen - men of
honor and good feeling-w0uld naturally
have no chance against bankrupt rogues,
forgers and thieves"
After which speech, delivered with his
eyes fixed on the ceiling, Marcus Gilmore
bowed to Felice and withdrew from the
room.
Maurice followed him, and before the door
closed upon them Felice rap idly unlocked
her bag, placed nine notes of $500 each on
the table before her husband.