Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1894-08-23

impossible. She had no money, or
at most few shulings. in her pocket
She would have starved"
II am very thankful that / met herr
And 50 am l." declared Mr.. Bow
yer. earnestly. Il should never have
forgiven myself il anything had hap
pencd 70 her"
Then may tell her she is TO come
back inquiringly.
Let her come. The past shall be
forgotten. or at least forgiven
''You are still supposIng her to b..
guilty indignantly
Yes; do suppose so"-ssdly; but.
having once taking responsibility
upon me. ! will rot shirk it,
II WIS Colonel Seyern's turn TO pause
IN doubt. All his pride in the woman
he loved revolted at the idea. OF her
being received 20. yet had he the right
to refuse for her this her natural
haven OF refuge? Then where else
could she 90: Even If she loved him
Severn well enough TO marry hinl.
ne could not ask her to share ais
home II by so doing 1t became closed
10 his only son. Besides, did she not
love Gerald Weare?
Mr.. Bjwyer guessed something Of
what was troubling him, and, reseat-
ing himself, went on, In slow, passion
less tones that were more convincing
than the most violent asseyerations-
II might think with you il my
~ tbn mos r.,ar1 Itt,,frast
as yours. There was a time when l
TOO believed nothing against Ellen
Warde, but that time has passed for
ever"
And yet you would have her back
believing her so vile, and that the dan
ger you have undergone may occur
again with less fortunate sequel
Il am ready to take that risk
gravely.
Then | have only TO beg that you
will conceal your real opinions 50 far
as you are able"
All shall be as it was before. am
not quite brute. l hope"'
Indeed you are not.' cried Severn
You are one of the noblest men / ever
met, IL in this instance the most mis-
guided. | shall not be afraid to advise
her to return"
No more remaining to be said, Sew
ern took his leave, ana Mr.. Bowyer's
first act was to ring and request the
presence of Mrs. Priolo.
Were you aware that Miss Warde
left the house this morning with the
intention Of not returning" he began.
severely.
Il thought it was likely she would
60"
Then why did you not warn me, so
that l might prevent herr"
Because you were too i'll to be dis
turbed--because | did not think you
would wish her to remain after what
happened last night" answered Mrs
Priolo, boldly, though her heart sunk
Then kindly remember that | am
never too i'll to be consulted on so inl-
portant matter-that | am master OF
my own house, and expect 10 be in.
formed OF all that is going on in It,
IF had known" she faltered
You know now" he told her
sternly.
Miss Warde will return in less than
an hour. See that her room is ready
for her and fire burning. 1t Is a
miserably cold, damp day"
Coming backr cried Mrs. Priolo
unable 10 disguise her surprise and
disgust.
Go at once and do as | have told
YOU" he commanded; and meekly she
obeyed.
Left alone, his strength to some de.
gree collapsed.
dearly than either he or she had sup
posed, and TO be compelled to believe
her capable of so cowarily a crime
against MIN had hurt him more than
the deed itself. Had she carried out
her intention and thrown herself upon
the world, he would never have for
given himself and would have remem.
bered her more as sinned against than
SHINING. But she was coming back,
and all the old terror would be revived
with added vehemence- for, now he
knew his suspicion to be well founded
he feared that what once had been at
tempted might be tried again. and
with success. His existence would be
a constant anxiety to himself; he
could never forget the terrible posi-
bilities that might at any time prove
facts. The prospect appalled, him. 1t
was a CHASTITY idea that he should live
under the same roof with one who
had wished his death-had even tried
to compass 1t. 1t was as though the
last hours of criminal should be
spent with the executioner who on the
morrow was to take his life. His
peace Of mind was gone from him for
eyer-for how could he be at ease in
such a strait? The situation WIS I'M
natural-it was more than mortal man
could bear.
CHAPTER XIV.
An hour later, when Elaine crept in
Mr.. Bower had mustered up sufficient
courage TO meet her with at least out
ward calm She came in with down
cnst eyes and cheeks crimson with