Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-01-05
CHAPTER XII-Continued.

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
peered in. There sat the stern faced,
impacable 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.
Madam!-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-
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 a stranger"
Beatrice Mercer turned to the be-
wildered Colonel.
II 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,
I believe" went on Beatrice, calmly.
There is the money. See that it is
right.
She had flashed heap of bank
of large denomina tons before the law
yers sight. She took up the papers on
the table.
This is the forged So, 600 note, L 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
lament in twain.
These other papers / shall keep for
u day or two, The amount is correct?"
she deman ed of the lawyer Colonel
Marshall, you are free from debt and
dread alike. / trust we all know how
to keep secret. [ would like to speak
few words 10 you alone"
The lawyer had witnessed some
strange scenes in his professional ca
reer. but tho denouemen5 of the present
inexplicable one left him speechless.
Colonel Marshall. like one in Il dream,
followed the woman who had mystic
triously saved him from ruin and dis
honor from the room.
Then, realizing that he had been
.snatched from the brink Of a precipice,
he reeled 10 a 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 on
earth. My tears, my prayers shalt be
yours till my last breath, | shall teach
my own to reverence you. | shall re-
pay you dollar for dollar. What can 1
say, what can l do to acknowledge, to
repay this stupendous obligation that
brushes, stuns, mystiiies me?"
"One single favo :"
Name it--oh! name it,"
ASK no questions, feel no obligations.
/ only ask that tomorrow evening at
dusk you come to the hotel and to the
apartments OF Miss Leslie, and bring
your son Raymond with you"
She was gone like flash with the
words. The Colonel stood staring after
her as if she were some wrath His
eyes closed and he Swayed like one in
n dream. He fastened after her min
ute later to demand more lucid ex-
PLANTATION of her strange intercession IN
his behalf, but when he reached the
street, like the fairy in the story books,
she had disappeared utterly.
Beatrice Mercer had fastened back to
the hotel. Her face was flushed, her
eyes hopeful, exultant, as she laid aside
her wraps.
so far all is we'll, she murmured.
confidently. Now for the most difficult
part OF the plot"
When DIR. Simms came. she led him to
a sofa, and for over an hour in low,
earnest tones she conversed with him.
She told him al her plot, all her de-
siEes. She startled him with her bold
mass and Shrew mess, he dazzled him
with the promise of muniticent rewards.
What scheme!" he CALCULATED,
arising at last, and all for the love of a
man whose heart is uried in the grave
of that lost drowned girl. Beatrice, is
the game worth the eandle?"
/ will have it SOL" she cried, wildly.
Without Raymond Marshall, what is
wealth to me! You will help me?"
To the last"
You can give me the medicine to pro-
duce the { Feet L des re. You will help
xne carry out the l. positior?"
Yes. Wait till I "a to my Office.
In an hour he returned. Deep and
subtle must have been the plots of the
fair and false siren or, as he handed