Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-06-04
WIDOW MARIN
BY the Author OF "Natalie's Ordeal"
"Euphie Lyn," "A Vain Sacri-
fee" Etc.
CHAPTER NNIN.

mistake in not mentioning The eirfum-
stances of this man who had 2rudSa
at your fdtheI-I lAean at Mr.. ilill-
who it seems was not Your father 1T all.
Do you know. though I'm sorry he
should have come to such an end, | am
really glad he wasn't Your father
One likes decent parent
"One really does, Alec. | suppose il
is wicked in me to say so, but NJ gla>l
he was no father of mine. Blu, even ii
l had known this before. l would
never have thrown suspicion on this
man; no. not 10 nave saved myself
think.
But why? Is not this the man YOU
wrote TO me about? The man who told
you he was waiting to have it out with
Hill? Well, he has had it out with him
to our sorrow But Loo, in the interest
of justice as well as for your own sake,
you ought to have spoken of this
Justice" said Leo, dreamily, her sad
brown eyes looking far out over tie
woods. Il have thought it all over and
over again and there are so many ir-
stances Of what is called justice being
doEs, that | begin to wonder if what
men call justice has any likeness what
ever to the eternal justice of God
cannot see it. AS for this man, he was
an honest, well-meaning fellow, hut
through sickness, hard times and scare
ity of work could not make out to pay
the eXorbitant interest of his mortgage,
His two children died and this, besides
breaking his heart. entailed expense
when he could III bear it; then, because
he couldn't pay up the arrears, his
house was taken from him sold over
his head. He was penniless, without e
home, without work his wife sunk
under the hardness of my father
harshness and died. The man, driven
desperate, grew dementod brooding
over his troubes-you know the rest
Do not think for moment that jus
tify that terrible deed-but that /, of
all people, should follow up the
wretched persecution and crown it by
bringing on the poor wretch a shame.
full DEATH simply cannot. Not even
now, when | know that Hill who did
all that was no father of mine, Should
the man be discovered, it will never b.
through me. Should he be found OUT
and confess it | would consider it my
duty to tell the whole world about the
proyocation he had.
you are strange girl, Loo said
Alec. You seem to have no doubt it
was he who did it,
None whatever" answered Loo,
quietly.
And do YOU mean to say that you
are content to bear the suspicion that
will rest on YOU until the thing is
cleared up somehow"
1T would be far worse for me 20 feel
that any word of mine would bring
death to the poor wretch who has limo
Gently suffered so much at our han Is. :
And YOU won't move in any way to
clear yourself Of suspicion before he
public" asked Alec, modify.
NO. l have no faith in mans jus
tee but every faith in Gods. Some
day it will all come out, but il It
doesn't, all tine same ! know here and
here"
She laid a finger on her brow AMI nec
land over her heart, indicating her i'll
ner consciousness of innocence
You just bet it will all COM out,
pretty soon, too" cried Alec. starting
up with angry impatience. "Yon talk
of Gods justice and of injustice to this
man but what about tho horrible III
justice to Yourself Haven't you sui
fered at the hands of old man Hi!l
more than that man did in a way? And
yer you talk as if YOU had a right to go
en- suffering and making me suffer too
| tell YOU I'm going to hunt up that
man if he is to be found on top Of this
round earth.
Loo was pale. but She grew paler and
her eyes more startled at this outbreak
of Aces, She rose and laid botl
hands on his arm.
"Alec--don't, If | thought | were to
cause the death OF any human beng,
only 10 shield my good name, now that
| am out Of danger, tool should die,
should deserve to die. Don't you zee,
IL alone know what would condemn
confidence hold that mans lie in
my own hand and that life prefer 20
leave with no earthly judge. The
Judge Of all will do right. What IS the
opinion Of the world to me- and then
she added, in a low thrilling voice:
Since you believe in me, am salts
fed
Alec was conquered; a dim sense Of
her high ideal Of justice had been
struggling with his anger at the
thought of her bearing unde5erved
blame and suspicion and now, half
convinced but wholly miserable owe.
the whole thing, hc drew her to him
and tried TO solace her with words Of
love and endearment.
If you will only say you will marry
me, Loo, dear, you can do whatever you
think best. But come, sit down beside
me. have something TO tell you.
They sat down, but he still held her