The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1893-03-24
CHAPTER xH-Continued.

out during it's reign the cleaning. scin-
ilIant ewes of Beatrice Mercer told that
their owner was not Idle.
She was thinking, plotting, preparing
20 act. Her quick mind grasped the
situation readily, the situation she had
anticipated. and which she had come
prepared to meet. She held the remedy
gold. To befriend the father OF the
man she loved in his dire extremity, to
save an honored family name from re-
proach-would it not win the gratitude
Of the delinquent son, and gratitude
pity, and pity love?
She had other final resources in re-
serve. She had prepared plans calmly,
systematically. This was but the first
step. Oh, she could not fail.
She arose and stole to the door; she
oeered in. There sat the stern-faced,
impIacable lawyer. the fatal documents
spread out before him. There, too.
wan-faced, wretched, lost. shrank the
father of Raymond Marshall.
She stepped boldly across the thresh,
old of the room. Not until she had
reached the table and her shadow fell
across it did lawyer and victim glance
up, with vivid start.
Madami-why-"b began the former.
Il have come TO purchase those dOcu-
ments"
Her hand pointed to the pile of notes
and securities, almost touching them.
In profound wonderment the lawyer re-
Garded her. With a gasp OF hope, sus-
pense, dread, Colonel Marshall stared
at her yelled face.
You have come" repeated the
lawyer, vaguely.
ITO buy those documents
Why do not understanding what
right.
Are they for sale?"
Her voice rang out sharply.
ITO Colonel Marshall or his author
lied agent, yes, but to stranger
Beatrice Mercer turned to the be-
wildered Colonel.
Il am no stranger, but friend, she
half-whispered in his dumfOunded ear.
Il came to save you. and then aloud:
Colonel Marshall, you authorize me to
act for you?"
The half-stunned Colonel could only
nod like an autOmatOn.
Ten thousand dollars is the amount,
believe" went on Beatrice, calmly.
There is the money. See that it is
right"
She had flashed heap of bank notes
vi ldIke uCAoiO tAO A""
yer's sight. She took up the papers on
the table.
This is the forged $4,000 note, be-
lieve?" she said, selecting one from the
many papers, Colonel Marshall, it
shall never trouble you again"
With two twists of her dainty hut
supple wrists, she severed the fatal doc
ument in twain.
These other papers l shall keep for
q day or two. The amount is cOrrect?'
she demanded Of the lawyer. Colonel
Marshall, you are free from debt and
dread alike. trust We all know how
to keep secret. l would like to speak
q few words 10 you alone"
The lawyer had witnessed some
strange scenes in his professional ca
reer. but the denouement of the present
inexplicable one left him speechless.
Colonel Marshall, like one in a dream,
followed the woman who had mystic
riously saved him from ruin and dis
honor from the room.
Then, realizing that he had been
snatched from the brink of precipice,
he reeled to table in the outer Office
for support, and burst into tears.
Woman, angelic deliverer!" he fairly
sobbed. Who sent you here? YOU
have saved to me all l hold dear or
earth. My tears, my prayers shalt be
yours till my last breath. shall teach
my own to reverence you. l shall re-
pay you dollar for dollar. What can
say, what can do to acknowledge, Il
repay this stupendous obligation thai
crush S. stuns, mystifies me:"
"One single favor.
Name it-oh! name it.
ASK no questions, feel no obligations
only ask that tomorrow evening a
dusk you come to the hotel and to tn.
apartments Of Miss Leslie. and bring
your son Raymond with you.
She was gone like flash with the
words. The Colonel stood staring aftel
her as il she were some wrath. His
eyes closed and he swayed like one in
dream. He fastened after her a min
ute later TO demand a more lucid eX
PLANTATION Of her strange intercession il
his behalf, but when he reached tn,
street, like the fairy in the story books
she had disappeared utterly.
Beatrice Mercer had FASTENED back &
the hotel. Her face was flushed, hel
eyes hopeful, exultant, as she laid asid,
her wraps.
so far all is well," she murmured
confidently. Now for the most Difficult
part of the plot.
When DR.. Simms came. she led him t,
@ sofa, and for over an hour in low
earnest tones she conversed with him.
She told him all her plot, all her de
sires. She startled him with her bold
ness and shrewdness, she dazzled hin
with the promise Of munificent rewards
What a scheme!" he CALCULATED
arising at last, and all for the love of
man whose heart is buried in the gray,
OF that lost, drowned girl. Beatrice, il
the game worth the GAMBLER"
Il will have it SOL" she cried, wildly
Without Raymond Marshall, what l
wealth TO me! You will help me?"
To the last"
You can give me the medicine to pro
duce the effect desire. You will hell
me carry out the imposition?"
Yes. Wait till go to my Office"
In an hour he returned. Deep an,
subtle must have been the plots Of tn
fair and false siren, for, as he hande'
her . tiny phial. he said:
you can rely upon 1t. When Ray
mond Marshall comes to see you to