The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-31


chance word Of his wife's that Royal learned
| how be had been deceiving himself.
His rage was indescrfbable. though he
was sensible enough not TO aggregate the
/ danger by betraying the cause. his brutal
impulse led him rather TO visit upon the
head of his wife punishment for the fault
she had never committed, by planning to
cast her off, freeing himself from an in
| cumbrance which perpetually reminded him
OF his own stupidity. But he saw there
would be danger in this. The girl, whoever
she was, who had really witnessed the
crime, he could never silence now.
Even in his blind rage he recognized this.
and acted upon IL. He was cunning enough,
| however, to save himself one advantage. It
was to wiring from Madge a promise that
their marriage should be kept secret, at
least for a time. He urged plausible rea-
SONS for this. most OF all that 1t was for her
comfort, since he was under cloud, aud so
| she readily consented.
She little know what that promise was to
cost her.
The old bag at Narrow lane, who was
! known as Mother Hatch, was utterly ignor-
| ant Of the events OF the fatal night because
| of her drunken sleep. She had been greatly
| mystified on awaklng late In the day to find
her lodger with the ruby ring vanished.
! She dared not betray herself by making in-
0uiries. She could only conclude that the
| lass had intended to impose upon her, and
make good her flight in the morning.
Had Madge loved Royal less SIZE might
| have left him. AS it vas, she believed she
possessed within her the power to WIN him
! from evil, and she chung to him to try TO
save him. 1t was a terrible scene in which
the battle was fought, and, strangely
enough, the woman's heart almost con-
quered.
No need to say what words the villain
used. or with what cruelty be flung aside
. IL; -oJ rrhi oh had hung thar
short married life. In her first horror the
girls pride rose above her love, and made
her turn to fly from one who was so evil.
This was the one thing he had to fear, and
with a bound he barred the way, telling her
that she was his and he would not let her
go.
gaze. AS she did so her eyes fell by chance
upon a pistol which lay near at hand-the
weapon which Leo, as he beloved, had used
so fatally-and with her eyes shining with
great agony and resolution, pressed it to
her heart.
ROYAL seized her arm. What will you
doY he asked.
"D)g" shrieked the girl, in a voice of Bit
terect anguish. xiii myselfp'
'F[ill Yourself!" Royals heart leaped up,
not with horror at her intention, but cow
ardly fear OF what the consequences would
be to him. PUT down she pistol, put 1t
down; | beseech your he said, not daring
TO snatch 1t from her. ''Madge, are you
made Listenw
t'Not to another word, she said, keeping
her eyes turned away from his face. open
the door and let me GO"
Quick to see his advangtage Royal once
more barred the way, saying with all his
old adroitness:
"Madge, tell you, swear to you I was
but jesting-"
"jestingl" she repeated. ut is a jest
which has broken my heart. Let me 60;
will go!"
And she flung aside the arm by which he
would have caught her 70 him, and even hes
in his strength, shrenk back before her.
He dared not stop her, and yet If she went
free he was ruined
ddenly thought struck him.
Have your way, then," and be flung
open The door "Iave your will, but first
think what it means. If you leave me now,
it is for ever. | will never acknowledge
you ss my wife, never help you to live. You
know best whether your father will own
you as his daughter"
But though a spasm of pain passed over
the girls beautiful face, it was not O taunt
that would turn her from her PURPOSE now.
Il have done no wrong. Heaven Will de-
fcnd ne ;" she sGid
IT was time to play different card.
Royal changed his manner from mockery
aud anger t. conscience-strlcken despair.
1t was a miracle Of acting even for the con-
su innate scoupdrel who accomplished it
"Heaven!" he repeated in a low, awed !
whisper, ''don't speak Of heaven TO a poor
lost wretch such as |. But you are right.
You are an angel and am fiend. Will
not live to have you hate me for the rash,
| mad folly to which m love has driven me.
This shall end NJ un,s"rlble eSistencen
Anl - STA cAl from her the pistol,
which s. e nau clung 10 as if the feel OF
tang 10 weapon gave her fresh s.!e1gth,
and raised it against his forehead. Madge
made one bound onward with an agOIlzed
shrek of horror.
An instant of ag my, and then love con-
quered the proud heart.
Ralph" Ralph have mercy have pity
| Save me. have tried so hard 20 be strong"
And she sank upon her knees, clingkng to
him, with her beautiful face uplifted,
doubly beautiful in the glow Of love which
lit it up like ray of golden light.
For moment Royal did not speak. BE
only stood looking down at that face. What
his feelings were be could not tell; only
within him a voice kept on repeating, IAN
| mad that dream of letting her gom
Save me, Ralphl lcannot, will not, be-
lieve that you are so cruel, so wicked l
love you! All! save meP'
"Madge, be calm! be quietn for she was
sobbing wildly, and clinging to him with
all tn6 weakness WHICH IOuOWs great
struggle. There is nothing for you to
fear now. You have conquered. Had
met you before l might have been different.
As it is, it is too late-too late for
you to save me, but not to save yourself.
Heaven will protect you! You are freep
And he drew himself away and pointed to
the door. She made no movement, but
knslt still as she hal remained after his sud
den change Of manner.
''Do you not hear meF' be said, IN the
same STANCE tone. Il tell you you are free
-gow And he put out his hand to raise
her to her 1eet, but she still chung to him
convulslvey, murmuring, mo. no."
you will notP' he asked il amazement.
"You are mad"
MAD or no. will not. cannot leave You
now" she cried, raining kisses on his hand,
aud lifting to him face lit up by holy
light Of love and courage. Forgive me
that ever doubted for a moment that there
was good 10 you. | know now there is, be-
cause it makes you try to save me- l will
save you'll All, don't turn from me! Don't
try TO put me back !" as he shrank from her
with a new and strange fear. II love you
heart and soul! left my fathers home, |
gave up all l had In the world to be your
wife, and will cling to you until deathr |
The strong man was trembling now, aud
his voice shook as he added in q low
whisper: