Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-11-18
C|lriiS6ianV eIiina
A Thrilling Romance OF
Land and Sea.
BY ARRAH LEIGH.
CHAPTER III,
A THREATENED WOE

Que eat HmlO Inc dust and din and
confusion of the dark old theater mo-
her.
Excuse me-" Griffith said, uncon-
sciously treating her with the courtesy of
q lady, after her last words had been
spoken. i will speak to the manager
She saw his slim, sinuous form glide
away through the maze of blotched
scenery and broken furniture and dirty
'ornaments-saw his hideous face writhe
in triumphant smile, and sank down,
with q sickened, terrified feeling.
Only once. during the interval she was
left alone, did she rise, and. painting like
q timid hare, look around as If contem-
plating flight and the blue lips muttered:
The sacrifice is too great Better
plunge in the dark water at night than to
live and suffer sol"
A moment later Griffith Byrne ap-
proached her, smiling triumphantly.
You were just in time" he said. AN
other half hour, and it would have been
too late. I've fixed everything up, now,
however; told Kinsey You would bring
MIN the money Tomorrow. I'll have 1t
for you then.
She forced down the lump in her throat;
she tried to still the tremor running over
her; she clasped her hands to repress her
W.
thankful to him.
You are very good" she said softly.
But l am to have reward" he said.
Y on are to marry me to-night."
"Oh, tonight! So soon?" she gasped,
starting up as if about to rush from him.
He frowned.
Yes" he said. Il am going to write to
the minister at once"
He falsihed. He was going to write to
~ ho l.:
quaintance, whom he had already prom
ised certain sum if he would deceive
this girl by mock marriage.
oh, wait a little. Give me time to
accustom myself to the idea before you
solemnize the marriage" she begged.
You will either we'd me at once, or 1
will see you never have this theater nor
any other, he said, frowning.
She was about to defy him, when she
thought of her mother again, and she
stared helplessly at him.
Just then her agonized, childish face
attracted Kenneth Byrne's attention. He
seemed annoyed.
Presently he came up to the couple,
leaning on Mr.. Kinsey's arm.
"Come, Griff." he said, I'VE must be off.
The train starts at three o'clock, and the
old lady said she would have the carriage
at the depot to meet us at four or a quar-
horses wait over train, you know"
Griffith started, and bit his thick lips.
He glanced ut Chris impatiently.
Kenneth saw the glance, and appeared
uneasy.
why, had forgotten everything about
the confounded affair."" declared Griffith,
moodily. I've a good mind not to attend
it. 1t is bore going in the country this
time of year.
Kenneth gave one glance at the little
bowed figure. with the yellow hair curling
around the wan, white face. and plying
light frightened his eyes. He said:
"Pshaw. Griff. you know you want to
see the lovely bride, and her two charm
ing sisters. Olga Astange won't let you
carry her books from school any more if
that is the way you slight her, and Belle
Astange will never forgive you. I'll cut
you out in their good graces forever"
Where are you going?" asked Mr..
Kinsey.
Your wife was invited. Miss Astange is
to marry Mr.. Prichall. They are old
neighbors of ours. A very wealthy fam
lily. Mother wished Lucy to marry the
old man Astange, but he had had two
wives, and he did not want her, and
guess she has always been glad she took
YOU.
"She would not have made good STEP
mother for his three daughters, the two
older ones being about her own age, the
little one, Olga, only sixteen. But they
say she is perfect tartar; strong mind
ed, you know, and yet pretty enough to
win Griffith's heart"
Bother. l don't care for her at all.
But she is independent and amusing,
said Griffith, thoughtfully, and I've a
right good will not to go up there this
evening"
"Pshaw, what are you thinking of?
You promised to be Prichall's best man,
and you, the good one, rs people call you,
can't break your word, you know"
Griffith sighed. It is hard to always
keep on the mask of hypocrisy.
"1ll Co." he said. wait q minute;
want to speak to this girl.
He motioned Chris to follow him, and
drew her aside to the wing.
Kenneth shook his head and looked
cross, as he waited.
y called You here" said Griffith to
Chris. 'becsuss I wantAx to arrange