Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-10-02

CHAPTER XIV -(Continued)
81 know lost this stud" said Marsden
very deliberately. ION that unlucky even
Ing, and never could find il; but WhJ
should not the robber have picked 1t up
II he found IL, as he most probably olo
In the tentf"
"You are brave man to face me as yot
do!'' she exclaimed. But l hold you II
my hand" and she clinched II. VIII
tell you who found it. and where. 1oui
sweet. beloved fancee. when paying ht
q private visit in my room, admlrlns my
balldress espied the glitter of that dla'
mond among the lace on the body, where
II had dropped when you struggled Ia
stupefy me with your horrible cholorform
Me. the woman you have been making
love TO ten minutes before-who wa'
ready 10 give you all she had-you bas'
midnight thief"'
do not be so positive. Might it no.
have fallen among your lace as we danced
together, or when | was assisting TO Iii
your
'No, no, no." she cried, as if carried OUT
of herself, and speaking with immense
rapidity II saw it on your breast whe1
you left me- and Nora, your Nora, told me
you never touched me! 1t is useless de
nying your guilt. Waite, the detective
me, before he started TO pursue you. lie
was with you at Amsterdam, in Paris, at
Chanlaire, when you went to your slcB
friend. De Meudon. He tracked you, he
can swear to you. l have paid hundredi
to prove it, and have you in my grasp.
She stopped, painting.
Marsden rose slowly, his eyes fixed up
On her. She was frightened by his silence
his desperate look. She, too, rose; bu'
her fury seemed to evaporate.
What are you going TO do, Marsden
she said, quiverinS. You would not inur
der me?"
He laughed strange, discordant laugh
II am blackguard enough, he sald;
but would not hurt n hair of your head.
No! 1t is useless to contradict your as
sertions You have me, indeed, III YOU
grasp and there is but one way OF es
cape"
lie moved to the door, but she was too
quick for him. Setting her back against
Ii. she stretched out her arms to keep hin
off.
"You shall not kill yourself! 1 forbid
you! You are bad, and base, but you be-
long to me-you belong TO me! NO, Mars
den, you shall not leave me!'
"What Is life to me?" asked Marsden
with a calm despair. "A dishonorins
shackle! The sooner l am rid of 1t the
better. l cannot struggle with you. ~
you have any pity, let me go.
II will not! i cannot! Oh! Marsdeni
how | have bated you! You have been
10 unspeakaby false. To rob me, that you
might shake me off and marry my rival:
Yet" and her eyes softened as they rested
on his fine face, rigid in its despair, on
his attitude, grand even In its expressive
abandonment, with nll, l cannot let you
destroy yourselfl If 1 could hope that
gratitude would awaken anything like
affection tenderness"
"I nm not worth saving interrupted
Marsden, speaking more collectedly. he
began to calculate chances. Il know 1
have done dastardly deed. L never saw
its full baseness till / was found out
he esmled bitter, cynical smile. THAT does
not show much of q moral nature TO WORK
npon: but have so much decency left that
II is torture to be under your eye, TO near
your lust reproaches. l do not ask for
mercy. If you choose to call policeman
do so. You will be in your right. VIII
not resist
He folded his arms and stood quite still.
"And do you not know l should tear my
own heart to pieces if injured you! she
cried. in n passion of anger and love. oh!
can save you'll l will save you! II you
nromise to give me the love l long for!
Can not win you by such service as man
never had offered him before? l cap
save more than your life.
"'I have no love to give!' said Marsden,
In low tone. II have done with love and
friendship: and, however generous yos
may be. how can you silence your ue-
tectiveT
'I have bound up his interest with his
discretion" she said. eagerly, still keep
Ing between Marsden and the door.
81 tell you, your bitterest revenge is te
prevent nv escaping life and its intolera,
ble pangs."
And I tell you," she cried, hardening
again, that if you kill yourself will
hazon the story of your felony, your
shame, to the whole world! L will my
self describe to Nora L'Estrnnge your dis,
Ruises, your creeping to and fro to sell
your plunder.
.Silencew interrupted Marsden, fierce.
". making a step forward, then recover
Ing himself at is not probable i can do
ANYTHING to atone, to compensate. If
can" he broke off.
Mrs. Ruthyen paused and clasped he
hands tightly together.
"If hold my tongue none need ever
know of yourinfamy." she said, slowly.
ut will be secret between our two
selves. Ought not that to be an indis-
breath of suspicion against you. Waite's
Interest Is distinctly to be silent. If
choose to submit to SO great loss, that il
my affair"
at is a tremendous IT," said Marsden
"How am to repay SO huge debtT''
"By giving me your life." she returned
In quickly resolute tones, "by giving me
your name"
"Do you remember that 1 am not only
In love with Nora, but openly engaged ts
herr"
"I do, and breaking with her will be q
considerable part of your atonement.
know men tolerably well; you are quite
capable of loving two"
"You are rightI My love for Nora is
I cannot speak of 1t to you-it has hith
erto been the most, the only, spiritualized
passion 1 ever knew; there has been nc
time as yet for 1t to become incarnate
Now there is In you an undertone of dev
Nry that always attracted me.
"Will you break with Nora for my
pakeT' demanded Mrs. Ruthyen, imperi
Dusiy.
1T could be managed" he returned
'noughtfully, remembering bis last inter
view with her. "Be that as 1t may, shall
never marry her nowp'
And my great sacrifice, will it moi
1raw your heart to mev she cried. "Oh
have been wild with love and hate fol
you and l feel how madly foolish ant
aespicable am to act az I dor She
ourst into passionate fit Of sobbing.
Ihe light came back to Marsden's eyes
1ou are q woman any man might
ove'' he said, "and as you wisely admit
mat men can love two or more I'VE are
seaafa4Z broadsR than yemen. some Eo