The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1893-06-29
CHAPTER xIII-tcontinue.D

He advanced to the door of the sleep
ing-room and tapped lightly The nurse
opened it. Awed, startled, Col. Mar
shall stood in the center of the apart
ment, gazing obviously at the figure
living on the couch, it's face turned
from him.
Quite as curious and interested for
the moment, Raymond Marshall looked
up, too.
Miss Leslie has asked me to explain
to Won why she has interested herself
in your behalf" spoke the doctor, In
calm. measured accents. Her act has
been one in Il measure of atonement,
of compensation for wrong done
member of your family.
''Hav' exclaimed the colonel, with
start, ''she must be, then, some relative
of the wretch who robbed me-who en-
compassed me IN all this trouble, my
former partner!
Not at all. She simply deceived
member of your family. She is familiar
with the troubles of your son, as well
as yourself, and she desires me to I'M
part some mouTnful information TO
him. Mr.. Marshall, will you kindly
read that article?"
Marshall the newspaper which nad
first set Beatrice on the trail or Edna
Deane. 1t chronicled her death at the
snow-laden bridge. So accurately uld
it describe Edna and her attire that,
as Raymond Marshall perused 1t, with
distended eyes and ashen face, he could
not mistake the truth. With Wild cry
he sank to chair, the paper tiutter-
ing to the floor.
Dead! dead!" he walled. "Al hope,
then, is lOSt!'
What may all this have to do with
the lady here?" began the astounded
and mystitied Col. Marshall.
Much. This ordeal is trying, fatal
to her, but she insists. Nurse, turn up
the lamp. Colonel-Mr. Marshall, your
benefactress, the lady who makes an
atonement for great wrong, is
Beatrice Mercer"'
In surprised accents from the coloneFs
lips, in a gasp of incredulity from those
of Raymond Marshall, rang the name
simultaneously, as the pretended in
valid turned her wan features toward
them.
Dying features they were, to all SEM
blance. The doctors art and her own
deft acting carried out the intended
effect completely.
"Raymondr she fiuttered in a weak,
wailing voice. Say that you forgive
me- l did wrong in deluding you. l
even sought to find Edna and restore
her to you after my cruel deception,
| but she is dead A distant relative left
| me a fortune The only restitution
could make was to aid your father.
| | am dying. The only reward / ask is
that you take my hand and forgive me
| for it all
Raymond Marshall stood like one in
q dream. All the past flashed over his
mind This woman had, indeed,
| wronged him, but still she was not ac-
| countable for Edna's death. AS he
| thought of all she had done for his
| father, as he fancied he Veaa noble
| remorSe in her words and deeds, q
| generous impulse drove him forward.
He felt her burning hand twitch in
| his own. He did not doubt, after all
the doctor had said, that she was dy'
ing woman. - .u
| ture me with Il passing belief in the
| faithlessness of the woman / loved,
he said.
For love of your murmered Be
| Rtrice fervently. Raymond, can tel
you now, for 1 shall soon die. / was
not to blame for my love, and l hat
not Edna's gentle nature to endure il
silence l loved you so hopelessly, yet
so fondly!"
His eyes dimmed with tears. Love
was surely no sin, even when hopeless
His great heart stirred with homes
pity.
Il can die in peace, now" she said
"for your eyes tell me that l am for
given. Raymond, good-by-good-by!
Her eyes were raining tears Oh, &C
tress deft and subtle! oh, hypOcrit'
strong and confident! pittinS all thu
issues of life upon the fraiI cast of
die
She turned her face to the wall, he
sobs causing the sympathetic Colone
to vince with honest pity. Raymond
looked concerned, grieved
Can we do nothing to make her hap
pier?" spoke the Colonel, deeply affect
ed. Can l not tell her how grateful
| am-how some arrangement must b
made for the repayment Of the none.
advanced"
She would refuse to consider it,
| Responded the uOclOF. buI-IlO. 4 Ud
better not mention 1t.
Speak, DOCTOR" urged the colonel
eagerly. you were about to max
some suggestion?'
ut concerns your son. This mornin
this poor creature walled her heart
sickness over her love for him. Sh
cannot survive the night, and yet
think she would be infinitely happ
| hui ;o1 of c,l1
knew that you--Forgiye me, gentle
men, my task is difficult TO complete.
IF she knew wAat?' demanded Ray
moRd, softly.
IF you would consent to wed hel
Nay, sir, do Tot start A dying child
wish; you need not crafty it, only sh
has left all her fortune to YOU"
II will never accept it!' dissente
Raymond, Indignantly.
: 1.-The law will make you. This poo
girls devotion is pitiable. Give he
your name, render her dying moment
happy. 1t is not much to do for befoT
morning you will be widower."
The plot was out. This was the de-
design two clever schemers ha
. planned. The unsuspecting Raymon
Marshall never dreamed of a new d.
eeptiol.
. Raymond, do it; it will quiet tai
: when her will is read. Poor creature
: her devotion is indeed pitiabie,' SpoE
: the colonel
: Raymond Marshall thought Of til
| woman dead and of all his love for he
, of the woman dying and his pity fl
] her forlorn helplessness.
, What does it matter!' he murmere
dcjectedly. MY life is g.oom-the f
ture aimless. IL that small ceremon
can brighten this dying girls moment
doctor, l will marry herr
Fhe clever actress on the couC
, thrilled wildly. At last, reward; ;
last, success! Her hour of triumph ha
. come.
CHAPTER XIV.
False!
'There, there, dear! don't be alarme
You've just woke up from q nice, lor
l II