Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-05-17

wounded cousin and accused OF stabb!nE
him, arrested and imprisoned. Al once
Madelon proclaimed the innocence OF Burr
telling the truth. But no one believed
her story. thinking she was endeavoring
10 shield her lover. His lips were sealed,
and the wounded man, beginning 70 re-
cover. was silent also. AS last resort
Madelon went 10 him.
Speak now said she. Lot Gordon
looked up at her. 4 tell you. speak! I
will not bear this any longer. am al the
end Still Lot Gordon looked up at her
silently.
Then Madelon made quick motion in
the folds of her skirt, and there was the
long CLEAN of hunting knife above the
man in the bed. Margaret Bean. standing
by the door. shrieked family. but she did
not stir.
" 4 have tried everything said Madelon.
This is the last. Speak. or l will make
your speaking OF no avail. will striks
again, and this time they shall find me
beside you. and not Burr. My new guilt
shall prove my old. and they will hang me.
and not him. Speak, or, before God, will
striker
Then Lot Gordon spoke, love you,
Madelon,' said he.
"'Say what I bid you. Lot Gordon; not
that.
"'All your bidding is in that
"'Will you?
"T will clear-Burr.'
"Madelon slipped her knife away, and
stood back. Margaret Bean skunk further
around past the bedpost, Neither OF them
could see her.
THE TRUTH AT FEARFUL COST.
"'On one condition. said Lot Gordon.
What?
That you marry me-
"Madelon gasped. Your
LOT laughed family. stretching his
CHASTITY mouth. You think 1t an offer OF
wedock from churchyard knight he
said
"'You are mad to talk So she said.
mo madder-than-my ancestors made
me- Lot stammered feebiy. Great drops
of sweat stood on his forehead.
''Madelon moved toward him with Gu
rious, pushing motion, as II she thrust out
of her way her own will. She bent over
him her white face. holding her body sloot.
4 will marry you. come what will. Now,
set him free
Later, when Burr was free, she stood
by her promise.
But she said TO Lot have you
thought well OF what you DO Lot Gordon
Lot looked up at her and smiled and the
smile gave curiously gentle look 10 his
face, in spite Of the sharp light III his eyes.
1.-The thought has beeT CIV meat and ny
drink. my medicine and my breath Of life.' :"
said he.
"If were a man would rather take
snake to my breast than a woman who held
me as one
-" Two par llel lines can sooner meet
than woman know the heart OF man.
What do l care so hold you mine?'
''Madeon stood further away from him,
but her eyes did not fall before his.
Why did you lie?' said she. You knew
I stabbed you. and not yourself. You are
a liar Lot Gordon
But Lot still smiled as he answered her.
However II may he with other men. no
happening has come to me since set foot
upon this earth that brought not upon
myself by my own deeds. The hand that
set the knife in my side was my own, and
! have not lied
"'You have lied. Tell them the truth
"T have told the truth that lies at tho
bottom of the WELL
Call them all in now, and tell them-I-
did It; =
Lot Gordon raised himself a little and
looked at her with the hooking expression
gone suddenly from his face What good
do you think 1t would do II did, Madelon?'
he said, with strange sadness in his voice.
'She looked at him.
A HOPELESS FUTURE.
at shall not die Of the wound. You
can't escape me by prison or disgraceful
death. and. as for me. do you think II
would make any difference 10 me II all the
village pointed at you. Madelon?'
"Madelon looked at him as IL she were
frozen
The only way TO be set loose from your
promise Is by your own breaking IT, said
Lot.
"T will keep my promise said Madelon.
shutting her lips hard upon her words.
She turned away.
'Madelon.' said Lot. She went toward
the door as II she did not hear. 'Madelon.'
"she turned her white face slightly to-
ward him and paused.
Wont you come here TO me mos
ment?'
81 cannot until am driven 10 Il" she
cried out. passion leaping into her voice
like fire. cannot go near you. Lot Cor
DON
"she opened the door. and then she heard
a sob. She hesitated second. then looked
around. and Lot Gordon's tiny body was
curled about in his chair and quivering
with sobs like any child's.
"'Oh.' groaned Lot. weakly. in his hoarse
voice the hardest thing In the world for
love 10 bruise himself against is the tender
heart of a woman when Ills not inclined
his way
"Madelon closed the door and went back
and stood over him. She looked az him
with curious expression Of pity struggling
with loathing as she might have looked az
some wounded reptile.
well. I am here she said. In harn
voice
"'All my life my heart has had nothing.
and now what It has it has not moaned
Lot. as II It had been 10 his mother. lie
looked up at her with his hollow blue eyes
swimming in tears. He seemed for MIN
ute like little a.llng boy appealing foT
sympathy. and the latent motherhood IN
the girl responded to that
You know cannot help that Lot She
said. You know how you forced me mo
this to save the one do love-
ooh. Madelon, can't you love me-
But Lot Gordon found. as most men ana
women find sooner or later that love can
neither he given or taken away Al "4i',
h. IAIELtI