Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-11-17

she heard knock On the door in the sit.
ting room.
She closed the door leading into her
mothers apartment, and opened the one
from which the sound proceeded. Grit
fifth Byrne stood before her. She mo-
toned m to enter. !
Il have come, he said Gas he did SO his
eyes taking in the poverty Of the little
apartment quickly, ito ask you, in the
managers name, If you cannot con-
venlently procure the sum of money nee
essary to pay half the rent of the theater
for next week on Saturday."
She grew white to the lips.
IT is impossible" she gasped.
Then, am sorry to say, the managers
nave decided to let the company now
playing there remain another week.
oh, they cannot-they cannot be so
cruel! They promised I might have the
theater if only would yield half the re-
ceipts next week, and have spent all my
they must no. let me lose it. They must
keep their word"
Have you anything to prove such Q
contract was made any papers"
No. she answered, shuddering
Then l am afraid you must pay the
rental, or lose the house."
oh, help me! help mel" size cried, cor
l am ruined; be merciful to me-"
You know my terms" he said. when
you consent to be my wife, 1 will give you
my fortune"
She shrank back from him as his
thick lips almost graZed her cheek; but
he was blinded by her beauty to her re-
pugnnnce to him. He tried to take her
hand.
Darling, why will you not consents"
he asked.
She trembled like little frightened
bird. She closed her eyes that she might
not see him.
Instinct seemed to tell her he was to
wreck her life; that, through him. her joy
in existence was to perish, her hope wither
and die.
please do not hold my hand-you
brighten me-" she painted. aOh, would
love you if could, to spare you pain;
but cannot, cannot"
You will repent it, then. he vowed.
No; you will not be unkind; YOU will
rather help me, knowing that have no
one in all the world to do SO. If you
truly love me, you will even assist me in
paying the rental of the theater, or in
for'his money. Will you not?" she i'm
plored, her lips very pale.
No, he answered, abruptly.
Then will 60 to the gentleman who
wrote the play; perhaps he will be able
to tell me what to do"
As he has just asked me to tell you he
would not have the play produced unless
you forwarded him 500, I do not believe
he WILL"
Chris stared at the floor. bewildered.
She saw fading into the realm of uncer-
tainty the hope that she would be able
TO make money enough TO give her
mother some of the luxuries the invalid
craved.
Tears filled her eyes; horror made her
lips part with gro,n.
Help was within her grasp, however.
Though ruin stared her in the face. she
could avoid it by accepting the man be-
side her as husband. Suddenly she
started to her feet as the temptation to
do go almost overc me ner sense of
honor. She pointed to the door.
Go, she cried. Let me, at least, be
alone in my SORROW"
He was startled.
Chris, he commenced, wait one mo-
ment ere you send me away. If YOU
change your mind before Thursday, let
me know. I will save the theater for you
IT you send for me; if not your engage
ment ends this week, and your services
will be no longer required.
Having sent his last dart he went out,
leaving her white-facsd and terrified.
The next day, slowly, faltering every
step, she walked to the theater. She
paused before the door, and paced up
and down the block. Twice she stood
irresolute, then fastened into the build
ing. She saw knot of men standing by
the left stage entrance; one of them had
proud, fair face, and she felt like fall
ing on her knees and asking him to have
mercy on her helplessness and poverty.
Her eyes roved from him to the despicabIe
countenance of the man she loathed.
She motioned him nearer.
Griffith understood thrill of tri-
umph passed over him as he surveyed
her.
She has come" he said, and Marcus
will pretend to marry us, as he promised;
and unless Olga Astange will some day
wed me. will not let this little simple
ton know she is not legally my wife, till
we are mutually tired of each others So
ciety."
Oh! had Chris but understood him
how she would have hated this cunning
reptile-so unlike her own generous.
honorable father, or Kenneth, his brother,
whose hatred of deceit shone in his hon
est eyes.
Sadly she looked up in Griffith's tiny
black orbs as he stood beside her, and
she said:
Il have come" Oh, what wealth of
WEAKNESS in just three words; oh, what
a volume of despair written in her sweet,
young visage, all drawn with pain!
You consent to marry me?" he asked.
consent to marry you, she answered.
In life, in death, would she ever forget
the bitter pain in her heart? And we'll it
might be there, for she was in deadly
peril. Poor little Chris!
ITO BE Continued