The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1893-03-10
CHAPTER VIII.

on THE THRESHOLD
One thought had been dominant ii
the heart Of Beatrice Mercer since thu
moment that Raymond MarshalPs dis
covery OF her duplicity had crushed he
with humiliation. A bitter, cruel re-
solve that, come what might, he SHOULD
never again see the face OF the woman
he loved!
Patience" her fierce heart hat
throbbeG out. He loves her yet; hi
knows her to be true. He despises me
but-he shall yet love me. l cannot LOSE
him. He shall never find or wed Edna
Deane."
Then, calming her fierce, resoiute
nature to subtle, sinister regard of al
the issues in the case in which mingled
love and jealousy involved her, Beatrice
Mercer fell 10 studying the chances in
her favor.
She knew where Edna had gone; the
letter that Edna had only half read.
amid her excitement and anxiety. had
been conned over and over again by the
plotting Beatrice.
Its contents gave her an insight of the
character of the father who had sent
for his beloved child, into his secrets as
we'll, and she knew that one of two
things would happen when Edna reached
home-her father would order her to
forget all friends Of the past, or, if any
letter or word was sent to Raymond
Marshall, it would be through her
friends
As the days passed by, however, and
no word was received, she grew puz-
zled, disturbed, and finally anxious
The evening preceding that upon which
Raymond Marshall appeared at the
eminary to lind her gone, however, she
made a discovery that startled her into
a new train of thought and action, I'M
expected, vivid, exciting.
A student living at quite a distance
received regularly the weekly paper
published at her home, and glancing
over this, Beatrice felt the blood rush
from ner heart through icy channels, as
she noted an item that told her intui-
lively that she ha found trace of the
missing Edna at last.
II was the record of the death by
drowning of man and a girl; the ac-
count OF the scene at that broken
bridge, where the two villagers had
seen Edna Deane's companion plunge
to his death, and had accredited Edna
herself with falling a victim to the
same fate.
Within an hour, from careful study
of the item and from a knowledge of
the route taken by Edna and her guide,
Beatrice knew that she no longer had a
rival. Edna Deane was dead!
She knew something more. She knew
that with the death of these two had
persisted mighty secret-that some-
where-and she knew where. an anx-
ious father was awaiting the return of
his beloved daughter, to lay at her feet,
as an atonement for the forced neglect
of years, a royal fortune.
The next morning Beatrice MERGERS
mind was made up. All night long she
had plotted and planned. The jealous
minded school girl of the night previous
had become in few brief hours a will
full, wicked siren, imbued with schemes
as bold and cruel as the hardest heart
ever yet designed.
She went straight to the town where
Edna and her companion had disap-
peared. Within twenty-four hours she
was satisfied that both had met their
fate in the turbulent torrent that flowed
beneath the broken rustic bridge.
= For wealth-for Raymond Marshall's
love!" she murmured resolutely, as. a
few hours later, she took train for the
next station.
Evening shadows were creeping over
the autumnal landscape as Beatrice
Mercer left the little depot and walked
towards the outskirts of the village.
In the dim light she made out an
antique but magnificent mansion, occu-
pying elaborate grounds, but surround
ed by great, high walls.
so near to home and then to lose
life, fortune, and love!" murmured the
steely hearted siren. Poor Edna! but
l cannot miss this royal chance"
Her eyes sparkled as she drew from
her pocket little chain and locket that
Edna had worn at school and which she
had left behind her in her hurry to 60
to seek her father.
She Gained herself. as if for a mighty
ordeal, as she seized the bell-knob at
the iron gate and sounded one resonant,
discordant peal through the gloomy
structure beyond.
Fairly on the Threshold" she breathed
wildly, yet exultantly, as she awaited a
reply to her summOns-"One bold stroke,
q single resolute assumption. and I
shall be mistress Of wealth untold, to
pave the way TO the heart OF the man
/ love-Raymond MARSHALL"
CHAPTER IN.
SUCCESS
A crabbed-faced man answered the
ring at the iron gate after Q lapse of
several minutes, stared at the yelled
figure without, first penetratingly and
then without suspicion, and asked, un-
tremendously:
who are you-what \you want?"
Beatrice Mercer waa nectress. She
had come prepared tueelgn a part, and
she did it we'll
All the fire and inn ok0osity Of her
passionate nature was subdued to the
seemingly shrinking timidity of q shy
young girl
She stammered out q frightened apol-
ogy and chung to the iron gate as il
weary and weak.
Il have come long ways" she MUIR
INJURED, -and must make no mistake.
The gentleman who lives here-Mr.
Caleb Marston."
The servant or helper uttered q sharp
ejaculation Of surprise and renewed
suspicion.
sWho told von that NJ C.loh M.re<on