The Dickinson press., 1893-07-15
CHAPTER xIII-(Continue.D

CHAPTER XIII-(ContinueD
He advanced tn the door of the sleep
in.-roum and tapped lightly. The nurse
opened ii. !Awed. startled. Col. Mar
shall stood i'll the center of the apart
mrnt. gain. obviously 1T the figure
living on the couch. its face turned
from him.
Quite lS curious and interested for
the moment RAYMOND Marshall looked
up. too
Miss Leslie has asked me to explain
Ia YOU WHY She h;lS Interested herself
in your behalf" spoke tn" doctor. i'll
calm. measured accents. Her act has
been one in Il measure OF atoncmeni.
of compensation for Il wrong done Il
member of Your family.
"Ila." exclaimed the colonel. with Il
start. she must he. then. some relative
of the wretch who robbed mr-who EN-
romp:,sScd me in all this trouble. my
former partner
Not at all She simply deceived Il
member of Your family She is familiar
with the troubles of your sun. as well
as Yourself. and she desires me to I'M
part some mourmful information to
him. MIR. Marshall. will you kindly
read that article"
The doctor had handed to Raymond
| Marshall the newspaper which had
first set Beatrice Oh the trail of Edna
Deanc Ii chronicled her death ut the
Snuw-ladrn bridge. So accurately did
| it describe Edna and her attire that.
us Raymond Marshall prrlsrd it. with
,iStrn,lcd eyes and iShrn face. he could
| IL, ssX
he SAM, to IL chair. the paper tiuttcr-
ing To the floor.
Dead. dead" he walled. 'All hope.
| then. is lost.
"Wha, may all this have to do with
The lady hcrc:" began the astoundcd
and mystiiird Col. Marshall.
Much. This ordeal is trying. fatal
To her. but she insists. Nurse. turn up
the lamp Coloncl-Mr. Marshall. your
hcncfactrcss. the lady who makes an
atoncmcnt for great wrong. is-
"Bc:ltricp Mercer
In surprised accents from the colonel's
lips. in gasp of incrcdulity from those
uf Raymond Marshall. rang the name
simultaneously. as the pretended in
valid turned her wan features toward
them.
Dying features they We're, to all sem
blance. The doctors art and her own
drft acting carried out the intended
effect completely.
"Raymond." She fluttereu, in 4 weak,
wailns voice. Say that YOU forgive
me- 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 fortune The only restitution
could make was to aid your father.
| am dying. The only reward l ask is
that YOU take my hand and forgive me
for it all
Raymond Marshall stood like one in
Il dream. All the past flashed over his
mind. This woman had. indeed,
wrongcd him. but still she was not ac-
,.ounlablc for Edna's death. AS he
thought of all she had done for his
father. as he fancicd lie read a noble
rrmorse in her words and deeds. a
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.
You did me no wrong except to tor
ture me with Il passing belief in the
faithlcssncss of the woman ! loved,
he said.
For love of you!" murmcred Be
,tricc frrvcntly. Raymond. l can tel
you now. for shall soon die. l wa.
lot to blame for my love, and l ha(
not Edna'S gentle nature to endure il
silence l loved you so hopelessly, ye
so fondly!"
His eyes dimmcd with tears. Love
vas surely no sin, even when hopeless
His great heart stirred With homes
,ity.
II can die in peace, now," she said
for your eyes tell me that 1 am for
.ven. Raymond. ood-by-good-by!
Her eyes were raining tears. Oh, &C
tress deft and subtle! oh, hypocrit
strong and confident! pitting all tn
ssucs of life upon the frail cast Of
lie.
She turned her face to the WALL he
,obs causing the sympathetic Colone
, o vince with honest pity. Raymon
! ooked concerned. grieved.
4 Can we do nothing to make her haI
: )iclsr' spoke the Colonel, deeply affec
ID. Can l not tell her how gratefr
anl--how some arrangement must b
nade for the repayment Of the none
i ldvanccd!"
o "She would refuse to consider it.
4 responded the doctor. "But-no! l ha
setter not mention it,
Speak, doctor" urged the colone
eagerly. "You were about to mai
6 ;omc suggestions"
y, 1T concerns your son. This mornil
his poor creature walled her hear
,ick-ness over her love for him. 81
cannot survive the night, and vet
.hink she would be infinitely hapr
II for that brief period of time if 81
e ,ncw that yoll-Forgive me, gentl
n nrn. my task is difficult to complete
e "If she knew what?' demanded RAJ
e nond. softly.
o IF you would consent to we'd he
Nay, sir, do not start. A dying child
: wish; you need not crafty it, only 81
las left all her fortune to you"
II will never accept it, dissente
Raymond. Indignantly.
1.-THE law will make you. This pot
girls devotion is pitiable. Give HI
our name. render her dying momen
,lppy. 1t is not much to do. for befol
morning YOU will be a widower."
The plot was out This was the de
lesign two clever schcmers III;
d damned. The unsuspecting RaymoI
y MARSHALL never dreamed of new d
option.
raymond. do it: it will quiet tai
ghcn her will is read. Poor creature
,cr devotion is indeed pitiablc," spoli
lie colonel.
Raymond Marshall thought of til
woman dead and of I'LL his love for he
If the woman dying and his pity fl
,er forlorn hclplessness.
What does it matter" he murmere
}. leicctedly. My life is gloom-the f,
ure aimless. If that small ccremon
an brighten this dying girls moment
'octor, will marry her."
!. The clever actress on the coue
- thrilled wildly. Az last. rewards;
asst. success! Her hour of triumph h:
ONE.
CHAPTER XIV.