The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1893-12-07


terrible fraud perpetrated upon her
sister-in-law-a fraud which she her
self had made possible. The presence
of the child ever before her eyes. or
within her hearing. now kept Il sense
| of the wrong, like a spike in helmet
OF torture, forever pressed upon her
brain-and this was the punishment
which had furrOwed Janet cheeks and
streaked her dark hair with white.
When news of the coming OF Helen
Faircamp and her lawyer reached
Waldeck Hill, Janet had summoned up
resolution enough to throw herself at
her husbands feet and to implOre him
to end the wrong they had jointly
wrought by restoring the child to Hell
en-. For once she seemed able to brave
the lightning Of Thad's dark eyes, and
to dare to stand undaunted in his pres
ence.
"Thad." she pleaded. listen to me.
They will be satisfied to get the child
back again. They will not seek to rob
you Of your home in this far away cor
ner of the world"
Thad sprang upon the kreellng WON
an like a panther with uncovered fangs
| and fOamlng jaws.
Never. never, | say" he Kissed out.
THAT woman embittercd my brother
against me. She shall pay for it now
that have her in my power.
| Janet rose to her feet and in a de-
| lirium of courage advanced upon her
husband. He was thunderstruck by
! the spectacle. and backed away from
her for once in his life, awed by a
righteous Indignation.
Hear me, Thad Faircamp," she
whispered. hoarsely. If you will not
act. will: if you will not speak, will.
Kill me if you dare, but when they
come they shall know the truth and
the whole TRUTH
| With a fearful oath, Thad burst out:
Turn traitor against your husband,
will you? Betray me. will you. at this
late day? Then you shall get your de-
serts: you shall get what a false wom-
an merits at her husbands hands. and
that is death. You know me. Janet,
and if YOU don't. by heaven -. it's time
you did, and you know I'll keep my
word when [ say I'll put a bulle, in
your heart if you bctray me, You
know my plans, Janet: help me put
them into execution or take the conse-
quences."
Thad Faircamp met his brothers
widow and Colonel Barstow with a
well-playcd dignity, a well-feigned
| colnpOSuFc.
In an almost judicial manner. before
which the outlaw quailei in spite of
himself, Barstow stated the main facts
of the case upon which he based his
charge.
Il hardly know. madam, replied the
accused, turning to Helen with a sheer
and a cOnvulsive twitch of the fingers.
what reply a man should make to this
wrctched business, instigated after all
these years by your servlceable attor-
ney, but before | say anything my self
respect bids me hurl back into his teeth
this insult to my wife and to me.
I'll speak when the time comes.
said Helen calmly. but for the pres
ent, sir, | must beg you to address your
self to my legal adviser"
An ashcn pallor of rage ovcrspread
Thad's face, but BarstOw appeared not
to notice it.
If the charge we make is false, Mr..
Faircamp," continued the lawyer calm
1y, there is no insult in it for you are
safe beneath the panoply of truth and
honesty. while we poor fools-chasers
after the unreal, victims of our own
speculation, stand exposed to your
scorn and contumely."
Thad caught at the thin line of rea-
Ii.
Il need not to be told that by you, sir, -
he blurted out sneeringly, but there S
another aspect of the ease, which is
that when a man makes up his mind to
play desperate game for a big stake
as you are doing. clouding the good
judgment of this lady by your vile hy-
pothesis, that he hardens and steels
himself against any insult which an
honest man can put upon him: but my
life for many year has been cast
among violent and hcadstrong people
spoke little too quickly. you are
right. YOU are deserving OF our con-
tempt ami nothing else.
Colonel Barstow bowed with mock
pol:teness.
AS for your allegation of fact" con
tinued Faircamp. upon which YOU base
your case. that there was no reason for
me to leave San Francisco. it disap-
pears with the other fabric of false
hood when the sun of truth falls upon
it. 1t is olly natural that my wife 5
relations. whose funds wasted in stock
gambling. should at this late day be
averse to revivine family scandal.
They are ten years older. they deem
ME dead. or as good as dead and
alarmed at your wretched informed.
ding, they naturally aver that no fraud
was ever committed, that they were
mistakcn.'
1t may be. Mr.. Faircamp," replied
the lawyer. with a nod of acquiescence
that am the poor deluded victim OF
my own speculation. | admit the pos
sibility: but that is not enough. A.
the attorney OF Helen Eaircamp. | de.
; mand that you lay before hit, positive
. and conclusive proof that the bo,
born beneath your roof at Oakland i.
the son Of Thaddeus and Janet FAR
camp and not the ION of Jasper anc
Helen faircamp.
Curse you. sir" blurted out Thad
t taking step forward and making 1
motion as if to draw a firearm, but 4,
suddenly halted. and although III:
bronzed face was drawn into lines q
demoniac fury he regained mastery
over himself As he glanced on the new
, conner standing on the threshold.
: Take care, Thad,' said the scout
r for he it was. 1t might he dangcrou.
7 :c. ,-n,, ra3rb for. yp,,t. tott ga,