The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-23
By Lilly TinsleY,
[CorYRIGHr, 1892, BY TILLorsoS d soN.l

too late"
And convulsive shudder passed over
the murderer's body, shaking him from head
to foot
But Madge olung to him still
NO, no" she cried, 'come away with
me. and"
! at is impossible" he interrupted, you
/ d mt know whatit is you ask. Wish your
SELF dead too-buried in tho same grave as
the child-in his grave rather than that
/ your fate should be linked with mine. You
cannot be more cursed than you are now
nlone-while |, You know me as am.
! Would you be the wife OF as black scoun-
! drel as ever lived-a thief, a murderer-a
criminal who at any moment may bring
disgrace and shame upon you, the worst OF
all by dying IN the hangmans clutch. l
| told you this once, Madge, to drive you
from me / repeat il now for your own
sake to save YOU from the worst-from mo
entirely. Be warned. Go from me while
| there is time Flee from me as you would
from the darkest fend-a devil whom no
power on earth can save No; not even
! YOUR love ] never believed in it before. |
do DOW. Aud for that l warn you-leave
mo, before it is too late for you as we'll as
! me-
1t was almost terrible TO listen to such an
! appeal, so plainly was set forth the truth
! that, indeed, the unhappy wretch felt with
I IL
/ spite oil, he was accursed, and could not be
saved.
| But Madge could not, would not, heed the
voice that whispered in her heart such
dread conviction.
Never. Neverw abe cried. ~ will
never leave you. Your fate, whatever it
NAV be, shall never make me give you up.h
You don't know what you are saying"
he said, hoarsey, and yet already, despite
the reality Of his earnestnes' the moment
before, dark thought stealing into his
mind that free of her. no matter how, he
would have far greater advantage in es-
Gaping from the difficulties which 30 lately
had risen up in his path. II tell you once
for all-go.'
Aud he seized her arm in his iron grip,
and thrust her from him with all his force.
The hold hurt her, and was Withdrawn
5 suddenly that she almost fell, but with
that strength of will which makes a woman
! so often rise above mere physical weakness,
she clasped her hands above her head, and
cried
las God is my witness will never give
you W, not il you should kill me for it."
There was silence again.
Madge hardly knew how long, for after
the momentary access or strength her senses
seemed to leave her for time
When she came TO herself she was lying
back upon the bank. just as she must have
AbilcIis LOT heE uubDhDu HLDDu Dohlue U6T IN
exactly the same attitude as when her sight
hal failed her his tall figure bent, almost,
It seemed, shrunken, his arms hanging at
his side. his hands tightly cliuched, his head
inclined forward, upon mia face a horrible
set look, which to her was worse than any
anger
She tried to go to him to call MIN by
name. but her weakness was too great. She
could only lift her pain-dimmed eyes to his
in an agoniZed but mute appeal
But that sutiiced.
lie lifted his head and returned the gaze
but despi her evident suffering made no
effort to go to her aid saying, as if there had
been no pause between them since her last
conclusive declaration: you will take the
consequences, then. And they WON'T he
long in coming There's devils game 60
ing on hers, aud there'll he the deuce TO
play, perhaps, before many hours are over.
| shan't swing for only one crime il | can
save myself by hundred more Then
abruptly losing his half savage, half-sneering
tone for one OF business, which made "A most
strange contrast, he asked: Have you any
money!
Madge could only shake her head in re-
ply.
been living on charity, ehm asked
Royal, with another sueer, which, however,
because Of the pain she already suffered,
could not hurt her. ''l'm short and he"
Win u IuOtlOu toward INC uOuSo, as IL 10 iu~
dictate Sir Lawrence can't let me have
my share until tomorrow. 1 must have
money tonight | can't stir a step with
out it,"
He paused, evidently searching about for
means to supply his need Then, struck
with sudden idea, he muttered: "There
are plenty Of bauhles about. The old man
seems TO have picked up enough friends to
fill the girls Wedding basket for her. It
I will be z 'od joke to play him of at his
own game, and he daren'r rebel." Then he
! added aloud, CURLY: Stay here until l
! come back, and, retiring Gown the lane,
| disappeared by the little garden gate, left
accidently opeu, into the Hall garden
Left 20 herself, Madge slowly aud pain
fully regained consciousness and strength
she waited obediently, but a prey to
th iughts whose bitterness can more easily
be imagined than described, and a. length
her husband rejoined her.
His face wns not pleasant as he did so.
He had returned 10 the house to lay his
hands upon some of the valuable wedding
presents. which he had surmised we're gifts
from the many and high friends whom In
so short time Sir Lawrence, despite all his
disadvantages had drawn to him-to the
baronets daughter.
Sir Lawrence however, had been more
wide awake than his late partner had sup
posed, for on entering the house Royal had
lOu0u every room IN Lne mouse s. guarded
by servants that his trick was impossible.
In the hall. however, he had caught sight
OF the baronet's CLOAK, which had been flung
down carelessly.
To examine the pockets was the work OF
an instant for q practiced thief-but to his
annoyance, his only reward was not the
purse he had expected, but little case In
which there was ruby ring, such as he
at once saw was of no very particular
value.
1t was Nellie's mothers ring, in which the
stone had become loose. so as it was the
only piece Of jewelry OF all her many and
beautiful gifts from her father she seemed
TO care 70 wear, the baronet mad taken it to
town to DO reset, and had entirely forgot
ten it in laying aside his coat
Even 80 small piece of booty was better
than going back to Madge empty-handed,
Tor it was on her account that Royal was SO
anxious to obtain funds at once.
Going to her side he flung the ring into
her lap.
Take that" he said, shortly, tits not
much, but it's better than nothing, Sell it
pawn II do what you like with It, but get
some money for it for yourself somehow. y
mo- no,n replied Madge, taking 1t up
with a look Of horror. Il don't want any
money-least of all that way"
For she guessed at once how he had come
by it.
"Now. Madge, listen to me. This is bust
ness. not sentiment. Don't thwnrt me, or
You'll repent it. You must have money.
You can't go on living on charity forever