The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-12-24
CHAPTER VIII.
ON THE THRESHOLD.


the heart of Beatrice Mercer since the
moment that Raymond MARSHALL dis
covcry of her duplicity hai crushed her
with humiliation. A bitter, cruel re-
solve that, come what might, he should
never again see the face OF the woman
he loved.
"Paticnce," her fierce heart had
throbbed out. lie loves her yet; he
knows her to be true. He despises ne,
but-he shall yet love ne. | cannot los
him. He shall never find or wed Edna
Ecanc."
Then, calming her fierce, rcsolute
nature TO subtle, sinister regard of al!
the issues in the case in which mingled
love and icaloa y involved her, Baa rice
Mercer fell 10 stu lying the chances in
her favor.
She knew where Edna had gone; the
letter that Edna had only half ad,
amid her excitement and anxiety. had
been conned over and over again by the
plotting Beatrice.
Its contents gave her an insight Of the
charact + Of the father who ha sent
for his beloved child, into his secrets as
well, and she knew that ono Of two
things would happen when Edna reached
home-her father would ortcf her to
fo-gct all friends of the past, or, If any
letter or word was sent to Raymon i
Marshall, it would DO through her
friends.
As the days passed by, however, and
no word was received, she grew puz-
2led, disturbed, and finally anxious
The evening preceding that upoa which
Raymond Marshall appeared ut the
Seminary 10 End her gone, however, She
made a discovery that startled her into
a now train OF thought and action, I'M
expected, vivid, exciting.
\ stud Mt living at quite a distance
received regularly the weekly paper
published at her home, and glancin :
over this, Beatrice felt the blool rush
from her heart through i.y channels, as
she noted an item that told her intui-
lively that she ha foun u trace OF the
missing Edna at last
1t was the record Of the death by
drowning of Il man AMI a grl; the ac
coIut OF the scene at that broken
bridge, where the two villa gers had
seen Edna Deane's compan Oh plunge
to his death, and had credited Edna
herself with falling Il victim to the
same fate.
Within All hour, from a careful stu ~
of the item and from Il knowledge Of
the route taken BY Edna ana her guide,
Beatrice knew that she no longer had q
rival Edna Deane was dead,
She knew something more. She knew
that with the death Of these two had
persisted a mighty sceTet-thut some
y hcrc-und size knew where, an anx-
iou5 father Wa awaiting the return OF
h b loved daughter, 10 lay at hcr Ct.
as an atom ement for the forced neglect
If years. a royal fortune.
The next morning Beatrice MERGERS
mimi was made up Al night long She
ha plotted and planned. The jealous
minded school girl OF the night previous
had become in !, few brief hours a will
full, wicked siren, imbu1d wi h schc Is
a bold and cruel as the hardest heart
ever yet designed.
She went straight to the town where
Edna and her companion had disap
pcared. Within twcn:y-fpur hours 5.
was satisfied that both had met their
fate in the turbulent torrent that Row Il
beneath TIL btokca rustic fridge.
For wraith-fo~ Raymond Mars ali's
love" she murmurel rcsolutaIy, a. a
few hours later, she took train or the
next station.
Evening shadows We're creeping over
the autumnal landscape as Beatrice
Mercer left the little depot and walked
towards the outokir OF the village.
In the dim li.ht she made out an
antique but magnificent mansion, oc.u-
pyiuG elaborate grounds, but surround
ed by great high wall.
SO near t" home AMI then 10 lose
life, fortune, and 10, G." murmurad thu
stcely hearted siren. Poor Edna bat
| cannot miss this royal chance.
Her eyes sparkIcd as she drew from
her pocket little chain and 10 'kct ti,at
Edna had worn at school and which she
had lett behind her in her hurry TO 30
TO seek her father
She calncI herself, as if for a mighty
ordeal, as she seized the bcIl-knoh at
the iron gate and sounded one resonant.
discordant peal through the gloomy
structure beyond.
Fairly on The threshold, She hroathci
wildly, Yet eAultantly, a. She awaited 4
reply To her summons" one hold stroMe,
a single resolute assumption, and |
shall lie mistress of wealth untold, to
pave tho way TO the heart Of the man
l loyc-kaymond MARSHALL