The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1893-04-08
CHAPTER XIX.
REV ARD.

ana bereavement Tell upon ner nearing
Erect, trembling, she faced him, and
the heart of the plotter, expecting re-
proaches, shrinking tmiditY, accusation,
took courage. She was neither the
frightened child of the past, nor the Bit
ter, crushed woman of the last hour
he had seen her. Her face, growing
steadily paler, took an icy hauteur
to its expressive Depths Der eyes never
leaving Arnold Dacre's face, she stood
like queen at bay, a being turned to
stone.
Flora he repeated have sought
you everywhere. You did not expect
me, but-speak girl why do you stare
at me SO stonilY?"
He quailed before the neVerwavering
glance. This unexpected icineSs and
silence puzzled him.
''What have you to say to me?" was
forced slowly from her reluctant lips
''What have | to sayn' cried DaCre,
misconstruing the hidden contempt, re-
pugnancy and resentment that pure
soul harborcd against him, suppOSing
that her troubles would make her a
crushed deSpairing woman, reckless of
all save craving for peace and safety,
'Much that can interest YOu, Flora !
hold your destiny, your future in my
hands,
She did not reply, she might have been
marble for all she moved. Stecled to
the heart, suggested by the Circum-
stances of the case, she stood curling
every emotion.
I'VE will not waste words" continued
DaCrc, 'for | see you are in a frame Of
mind to listen to me, and probably act
upon my advice. You are refugee. &c
counted an accompliCe in the robbery
of the bank. You can never return to
Ridgeficld. You are begger, | can en-
rich you. | can restore to you your
former, your fathers name"
Only the cyelids quiyered at this.
Go oD." she said, sternly, chillinglY.
~ offer you wealth, luxury, peace
If you will marry me, l will take you to
some far,Spot where lie shall be a per
feet holiday, | can give you stately
home love, devotion. You can forget
the past, it is your only hope, or else you
are an Outcast, a pauper. Choose
riches or the almShousc, love or deSOlu-
ton"
And if | refuse?"
The accents were ominous, but the
eager scoundrcl ran on giblY.
Then leave YOU to your tate-a bit
ter one. | leave your fathers honored
name in the mire of disgrace, where it
gravels. Your lover! Oh! YOU start,
now, He escaped, but he is now pris-
oncr at my Will in the town Jail at Deep
ford. Wed me- and | agree to clear your
fathers name of the last vestgc of
crime l agree to free your lover
agree to restore to you the fortune now
in my possession. Speak. will you con
sent?"
She fairly took his breath away with
The sharpness, the suddenncss of her
reply.
YES, " she said simply.
A cry of JOY parted the schemrr's
lips.
"What! you agree? You will wed mc?"
the marriage ceremony, yes"
and that isl"
WORD for word, truth for truth, from
beginning to end, You are to tell the story
of the trouble at the bank-all your part
in that fraud all the details thnv oc-
Cured"
at is bargain, You Will wed me
frst?"
II the story will be forthcoming"
Il VOW it. Wait, | have brought the
magistrate with me. The ceremony can
be performed now, at o%Cc. | will re-
turn within TWO minutes time"
He sped back through the open door
way. His whole soul was atlame with
hope and triumph. Shrcwd plotter that
he was, he never diSccrncd the latent
warning that the girls immObiIc face cx-
pressed.
"Sho is too crushed to resist" he
gloated, as he dashed through the wood
in quest of the landlord. "She demands
the story of the crime at the bank
Good. l will tell it. She suspects it now.
Anything, anything TO gain her as my
bride"
Blind schcmer. Had he fingered a
single moment, he wOald have seen Flora
Merwyn speed to the adjoining apart
mcnt. Hurried tones issued thence in
excited consultations Then she came
back to the outer room, and, Stecling
her face to utter GOODNESS she awaited
the return OF the man she was leading to
his doom.
Farce for farce She murmured.
''Oh, the torture of even gIancing at the
foal-hearted monster but for my poor
murdered fathers sake, for Ray Web
stcr's sake, will go through with the
ordeal"
by the Temperance of Arnold Dacre.
Behind the eager plotter followed his
hired emiSsary, the landlord.
Here is a magistrate" spoke the
cashier. ''He is prepared to officiate at
the ceremony"
"Gou agree to confess ALTO release
Ray Webster to vindicate my father
name later?' demanded Flora.
Yes, only by explaining all to you
can | make you understand the truth,
and how it may be told to the public
with safety to me-witless John Whar-
ton shall bear tho blame. They cannot
punish him.
"AlI ready" spoke the coarse-graincd
landlord
They joined hands. A sickening
shudder trayerSed the girls frame at the
contact, but she steeled her heart 10 the
ordeal The ceremony was completed.
My wife-mine at last" breathed the
plotter, joyfuly. Flora let the past
die out. A life of devotion"
send that man away"
tie chilled at her Shrink1ng face and at
her icy tones. but he whispered to the
landlord to return to the horses.
"Now, the story-the confession"
spoke Flora MerwYn, a strange glow in
her impenetrable eyes.
Without apology, the villain began his
narrative In legal possession of the
girl and fortune alike, what had he to
fear? In a reckless but deprecatory sort
of way, he revealed all the dark plots
that had led up to the present hour
He stepped towards her as he con-
CIUdcd.
For YOUR sake did it all" he spoke
ardently. The specializing was wrong,
but was led to hope I could double the
money. Ray Webster was my rival, and
| removed him from my path-all fair
in love and war. Your fathers death
was no FAULT OF mine. Flora, my wife,
let it all drift into forgetfuIness. In
some foreign cline, a life of devotion
Will claim its reward in your love"
He paused. Over the face of the girl
had come a sudden change. The long
rcprcSSed emotion she had kept in check
burst forth.
Horror, repugGapCe. vengeance in her