The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-06-16

such luck for me, or for you either,
my dear wife"
Where have you been? How do you
some here?" she painted, still leaning
toward him, with the same horror
stricken eagerness-
where have 1 been? You know
we'll Sent abroad. for the period of
my natural existence, at the expense
of my country. Was fool enough to
endeavor to initiate another mans
caligraphy, and had the additional
audacity to shed a fellow creatures
blood"
''Oh! hush-hush."
''The latter crime"-he went on,
without needing her-''was made to
read, by the adroitness of a singularly
clever man of the law-manslaughte
Or my existence might have termin-
Rted somewhat abruptly"
"But got away from them all-es-
copeland came back-to find you.
Ali God"-he had moved swiftly to
her side, under cover of the gathering
darkness, and dropped upon pile of
rope beside her chair. ''No, no! don't
move-don't start away Like that, as
though some reptile had touched you,
or will shout out here all the shame
full thing and let all the hne birds
among whom you have found a nest
know-ah! forgive me, am mad some
times, and do not know what say. L
did not mean to brighten you, Leonie."
There was a pause, during which
Mrs. Carmichael Banks looked
straight before her, with dry, hard
eyes and rigid features, at the blue
Mediterranean, and the man at her
side looked up at her wistfuIly, and
tried to catch q glimpse of the proud
face.
''Leonie-have you no word for me,
after all these weary years?" he asked
at last. brokenly, still looking at her.
what can I say?" she murmured
slowly.
'.Leonie,'' he cried passionately
gripping her white arm as it rested
upon the chair. ST lived for you'll
sinned for you. Twas fl your own
sake, you know, that TO ED Lyall's
name-you tempted me to do it. and
the money gave you that first step on
the road to ease and luxury. you ap-
pear to have trod so we'll since Then
he traded on the acknowledgement
both duped me, in fact-poor, blind
fool that l was-your names were
linked together, and 1 found him in
your room-and-you know the rest.
His friends took the forgery up after
ward, and said that the endeavor to
conceal it was the motive of the MUIR
der, let them think sol would not
have your name dragged in. "Great
heavenr' he cried, raising his haggard
face to the stars, 81 have deserved a
better fatei'
He bowed his-head on his hands and
nurmured broken words as he
crouched there at her side. The
womans face did not change as she
gazed still stonily before her.
''Well," she said at last, ''what
would you have? What do you
want?''
81 want you; 1 want your love-" he
murmured passionately. 81 forget
all else-I remember only that you
are mine, and that love you. Let
us go away somewhere, where we
can never be known, and let US for
get all the old Iife-all the old sor-
rowland begin something better.
Let me recall some of my old dreams,
with my darling to inspire them. Let
us forget all the old, wild, restless
am bition you had to be rich and pow
is no happiness that way,
Leonie-will you?"
sit is absolutely impossible. I have
been mad to listen SO long to the reci-
tai of imaginary woes on the part of
being with whom I have nothing in
common, and who reclxlessly brought
those woes upon himself. Your wisest
course is to give yourself up to the au-
thorities."
She had risen as she spoke, and |
swept slowly and gracefully away !
from the crouching figure by the !
chair. The man started to his feet |
Ind moved after her. She stopped |
Ind turned toward him and let her
'cornful eyes rest fully upon his, for
he first time since she had recognized |
lin.
What do you want?''
81 want you-my wife-and I will
nave you, if rouse the whole ship
~ Cod willl''
You are mistaken-I have no part
Tor lot with you now. Follow me one
urther step-and will rouse the
hip"
"You-what could you say?"
She laughed quietly and swayed
or an instant nearer to him ST
would tell them that you were an
escaped felon, and get them to place
-ou once again in the clutches of the
aw. Say what you might, what
weight could your word have against
nine-a woman of position, with pow
rful friends, and the ability if you
will, to lie with a skill taught by
ong expe rience."
"Leonie-have some mercy-I-'
$50 back-convictI''
He crawled back slowly, and she
to the deck chair and seated