The Globe-republican., 1892-04-18
CHAPTER X.

| CHAPTER X.
Marion Oakburn had not secured tn,
door as she supposed she had done, ant
Judith Kredge, who seemed to have de
voted herself to the task Of spying upOl
the cashiers daughter, entered the room
in stealthy manner, and crept to Mar
ions side. She it was who placed he
hand upon the shoulder Of the girl a!
she stood gazing into the trunk where
the strengthening pistol lay.
Dropping the lid Of the trunk with ;
crash, Marion wheeled about instantly
as she felt the weight of Judith's hand
You here!" she cried excite dly, az
she beheld the woman.
Yes, and saw the pistol at the bot
tom of that trunk"
| You saw it,"
Yes, and it is not the first time.
saw you conceal it in your trunk on the
| night of your fathers murder" answered
Judith Kredge.
Woman, what awful thought is in
your mind?"
You know we'll enough. You under
stood me when told you you were in
my power" replied the woman and then
suddenly bending forward she Kissed in
Marion's ear:
You killed your own father!"
This was Judith kredge's terrible &C.
cusation.
| which the sleeping-room was provided
and sank down upon it. But in mo-
| ment she started up again and confronted
Judith Kredge with all the dignity OF
| offended innocence.
t. Sc o. T. =,
strous lie!" she cried.
Judith Kredge laughed mirthlessly
You see what evidence sent Stuart
Harland to prison. How much stronger,
how much more terrible is the evidence
can give against you" she said.
Judith, you are doing me an awful
wrong!"
NO, saw you with my own eyes. I
know you had just come from the office
in which your father lay dead when you
called at my room and pretended you
were so much alarmed because your
father had not come home.
And you who know me can believe
such an awful thing of me?"
1T matters not how well you may play
your part, Miss Marion, am not to be
deceived. Girl, my evidence would
hang yOu!"
Judith Kredge uttered the last words
in a terrible voice.
DO you mean to publicly accuse me?"
That depends"
Upon what? Speak plainly. Once
and for all, you and must clearly un-
derstand each other. Judith Kred2e."
If it was made worth my while I
might keep your secret" answered Ju-
dith Kredge, and there was o cunning
glance in her eyes.
~Ah, you mean that I must bride
your"
Put it that way if you like"
The two women gaZed at each other
in silence for a moment, and each was
striving to read the others most secret
thought.
Tell me your price" said Marion.
You have three thousand dollars?"
Yes, and that is all have"
Very well, then you can pay me no
more. That amount will do" said Ju-
dith, with malicious grin.
And you would thus rob me-leave
me penniless?"
Yes, my fair lady. Ia. I want to see
your pride have a fall. I'd like to see
you feel what it is to want, as have in
my time. What are you? You are no
better than I am. Work, work as have
done or-starve, Kissed the vindictive
creature in harsh voice.
You are an ungrateful wretch! A SER
pent to turn and sting the hand that has
fed you. But you shall have your price.
I'll not relinquish my purpose yet" Ma
rion Oakburn answered resolutely.
Judith kredge chuckled exultantly.
To herself she muttered half maud
IDLY:
Three thousand dollars. Not bad
nights work. 1t was lucky that I hap
pened to be awake and see her. She
was honest when she said she only had
three thousand dollars, which knew to
be the amount Of legacy she received.
Now, who got the stolen money, I Won
der. All, my dear brother Levi, you are
keeping secret from me, think; we
shall see whether you are more cunning
than l am, or not.
One evening several days subsequent
ly, after the remains of John Oakburn
had been consigned to their last resting
place and the crime of the broker
office" had ceased to be the one exciting
topic of conversation, Marion Oakburn
received q call.
The visitor Of the cashiers daughter
was the old gentleman called Richard
Stanmore.
The appearance Of the aged stranger
agitated Marion strangely, and she did
not regain her composure until she had
been in his presence for some moments.
In q few well-selected words STAN
more explained that he. had taken .
great interest in the mysterious murder
Of her father. He also asked . number
Of questions who's Marion promptly an
swessd.