Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-04-18
CAPTER MI.
What Plea For Mercy Do You Dare
Offer?"

strongly and freshly, and the sea had
been rough. Clare's thoughts flew to
the solitary inmate of the dreary cares
that would not escape inundation If
the sea should run very high. Yet
she could not venture to go down to
the fugitive; for she knew that de-
tectives were watching the grounds.
She dared not risk discovery, and
knew not what to do. She was con-
demned to that fell demon" inaction
when effort seemed the one thing
leeded. Lionel had been sent for by
Inspector Benson, and she could not
tell when he might come down; he
would ask to know the truth, and
she must lie to him.
Disgrace, dishonor, on that head!
she said. passionately, clasping her
hands together Were | to tell Lionel
with his proud disdain Of all failure
what would he do? Would he be
lmerciful as | have been? Why should
he? Would he spare the man who
She broke off abruptly, pressing her
hand to her brow. How it burned
tonight She went restlessly to the
window and looked out. The wind
came rushing by, and lifted her loose
tresses, hanging like golden mantle
over her shoulders.
We'll she said, there are women
who live to be old and gray, living the
life live; but, all, me! can live so?
Love or hate-it must be one of those
twain. | have loved, and despise this
wretched heart that could cling to an
ideal that never existed. What was
that?"
Only knock ut the door, yet she
had started as though shot had
struck her, and trembled now as she
stepped to the door and opened it,
springing back with n low cry; fe-'
once more Rex stood before her. He
quietly shut to the door, and advance
ed into the room.
You are safe-thank Heaven for
that" the girl gasped. looking at him
with wildly bright eyes. but why
are you here? How is ii! Tell me.
There Is danger in every step you
take, in every moment you are here;
| Lionel may come at any hour and
discover YOU she clasped her hands
above her head, with an almost des-
pairing gesture. Think of me- Rex:
spare me this last agony! Coco, while
there is time.''
Was he touched? Surely he must
be moved by her anguish? 1t did in
deed move him. beyond the power of
self-control. TO hear that broken voice
beseeching where she had hitherto
commanded, and could yet command.
lie made step to her side, clasping
her hand in his closely.
Glare" he said-and his voice was
low and unsteady-'don't shrink from
me this last time. I'll not stay beyond
a moment. Listen 10 me. | have
braved everything but death by those
cruel waters and that couldn't brave
and besides-Well, | think your
words stung me last night; and there
were q hundred more reasons why |
have come TO give you back some Of
what took from you-the heir-looms
you loved"-and as he spoke he laid
on the table, thick. broad belt.
They're all fastened in the wadding
Of that belt"
Mechanically her eyes followed the
direction of his hand, and then came
back to his face.
You'll wonder why | was fool
enough to keep them all this time.
Well, you wore them at your wedding
and | had fancy not to part with
them
He brushed his hand across his eyes
and paused for second-then added,
the old recklessness in his voice-"Ive
got tired of it all, and swore I'd give
back the wretched jewels 1t wasn't
fair TO make you suffer for my sins;
you've had enough Of that, And-and
I'm going away now, Glare, only
I'm cleaned out. / mean to risk Ben
SON. | can shoot him If he gets in the
way"
With strange mixture Of feelings,
with half-number dazed sort Of per
plexity in her eyes, the girl looked an
xiously at him. Rex Werner, remorse-
ful, reckless, revealing just one golden
CLEAN Of purer feeling. The thought
crossed her sharply; had she ever loved
him? Could he have fallen 50 low
ii was but passing thought, not
indorsed BY reason or her knowledge
Of him; still this was Rex Werner, and
he had been once 50 much to her!
she put aside with al start the thought
that pressed on her, and which she
seemed this night to have so little
power TO control, and laid her purse
quietly in his hand.
He flushed to the brow, but received
ii in silence.
IF ! can get away" he said with
a half laugh, 80 much the better; If
not. it's better to be taken than drown
ed like a rat in hole. But it's hard
to leave you SO, Clare"
.Hush-hush!" she cried. "Ohl what
is come to me that l can not think Of
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