The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1895-07-26

horribly selfish, but try not TO blame
me dearest ] love you better than all
the world: | cannot think Of anything
or anybody calmly when my thoughts
are of vou- Do not think too badly q
me if | cannot share tho sorrow you
feel at your terrible loss We |
were never friends-she and l. IL Is
your trouble and my own selfish trou- |
bles that are now distracting me- Let |
me be candid, dearest, as l have always |
l hope, been with you, whatever may |
have been my faults | awoke this |
morning the happiest man in England |
NV hope of calling you this day my
wife dashed all my dark clouds away.
l am now the most wretched man i'll
the world.
DR. Leclerc spoke with almost breath
less rapidity.
Don't say that, Maurice. Try and
control yourself Why should you be
the most wretched man i'll the world?'
"Why? Am / not already suspected
can feel it, know it--of the crime shat
has been committed under this roofy'
ooh. You must not say such wicked,
kutn lANIrlllN MhAAAh AAAAkos 'AhNA
the young girl, rising and staring at
him with wild and horror laden eyes
Listen to me, dearest; listen TO me.
I am trying to control myself. On my
way here 1 met Percival and n police
inspector in the Crescent road They
told me what had happened--so far as
they knew l guessed the rest. The
money is gone--this cursed money that
is always ut the bottom of all mischief
Is it not SOP
"I think the money is gone" an
swered the girl in trembling voice.
"Tho desk is lying ON the floor broken
up. 1t caught my eyes before l knew
anything of the terrible discovery l was
about to make.
my poor darling. 1t is selfish of me
to be able to think Of little else but my
miserable self. But don t you see how
much reason l have TO be almost mad
Don't You see that with that other
charge hanging over me- with the
knowledge that was in sore trouble for
money that money would save me from
disgrace, from ruin-don't You see chat
suspicion viii be fastened upon me,
such suspicion as / can never hope t.
outlive? Suspicion-Godh help me moi
only Of theft, but Of murder. "
He flung mp his arms MS he spoke ant
was again about to continue his wild
walk up and down the room when the
Young girl caught him firmly by thu
wrists and drawing him toward he
kissed his lips.
"Demestr - he murmured, rapturous
". "You'almost make me forget tina
l am so utterly unworthy Of you -
"Comc, Maurice, you must not Civ
way to foolish fears. The guilty person
whoever he is, will be discovered. y
"My darling, my darling But, wit
a weary sigh, ''you must think OF tn
situation as it stands Here am /
man in desperate need n man about
iiy from the country-the last perso
who visited this house last night-wh
d visited it-but who viii believe me?-
only To be near her who was to hay
been my wife today.
: Eyes. dearest Maurice--who will I
, your wife today if you wish it. "
g "No. no, no." he exclaimed. "N'
II with this new cloud hanging over M
q 1t would be cowardly act, n bastard
e act, TO give you my doubly smirch'
NJ name. "
"What concern is it Of any one {
u earth if l choose to accept that name!
have no fear am alone in the worl
u ] have only you.
III "You tempt me sadly, dearest, "
murmured, "but / will not be met
enough, selfish enough, to take adva
aV tage Of your great generosity. No,
Il, cannot be, Ethel just think of it cali
II |