The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-05-30

end making him merely tool 10 play
upon with her subtle wit, at her own
pleasure. He shut his hand like wise.
Thus would he crush her power to DIS
grace him further, he said hoarsely'
When she did return, she should give
an account TO him for these mysterious
absences. or he would make her prls-
oner TO the Rock.
On the night of the third day he
found her sewing quietly in her little
private sitting room. She looked up
coolly as he entered.
1T is a fine evening. Mr.. Tren-
holme." she remarked. indifferently.
He laid a heavy hand on her shoulder
and bent his dark, fiery eyes upon hers
She met the gaze without flinching.
Madam, where have you been?' he
asked. in a voice hoarse with anger.
She shook herself loose from his
grasp.
You hurt my shoulder" she said
quietly.
II ask you, where you have beenE
And don't choose to tell you.
you must tell me. will take no cold
evasions. Tell me, or by the heavens
above us, you will repent it,!
The red leaped into her cheek.
do you commando"
"Ay, l command! and the sooner you
obey the betterr'
And I shall not obey There is the
bell; l am going down"
She rose, lifted her arm to put her
work into a hanging basket In so doing
her sleeve fell away from the wrist and
her husband noticed that the heavy
garnet bracelet she had always worn
was missing.
II don't see you bracelet" he said,
half inquiringly.
Il have laid it aside. Garnets are not
so becoming to me as they were before
! lost my color"
He detained her a moment 10 say, In
voice low and deep with stern deter
mination:
"Imogene. you will consider yourself
an inmate OF the Rock for the remain
der OF the winter-for all time, until
you explain TO me this mystery. leave
it with you to decide. whether | shall
confre you to a single room with bolts
and bars, or give you the liberty of the
whole place, and let your word of honor
be the chain that keeps you here. De-
cider
She looked up into his hard face, and
her own set lineaments softened. She
remembered how she loved him. II
made her a simple woman, ready 10
obey the man she loved.
Il will remain here. I will not go
away. give you my word, and it shall
be chain
Every well " he said, so be It," Then
in a gentler tone, as if suddenly recol-
lecting that she was a woman-"Any
time when you deign TO explain this
mystery, l will listen gladly, for it goes
against my will 10 use this semb.ance
OF cruelty"
Mrs. Trenholme bowed loftily. and
went up to her chamber. After that. she
spent most OF her time in her room In
vain her husbands mother urged her
TO come out OF her retirement She al
ways had some reasonable excuse for
her conduct and after a while she was
left to herself. Ralph she scarcely saw
now. save at meal time. He never came
10 her; never spoke a soft word to her
He never looked at her. even when she
had spent long hours in making herself
beautiful hoping TO attract his atten-
tlon.
Business called him 10 Boston for Z
week. He merely announced the fact al
table, and went away without any
leave-taking. He did not see the ghast
ly pale face that from her window
watched him ride away he did no
know that for hours after his depart
ure his wife lay in heap upon the floor
not weeping women like her seldom
weep-but breathing great shudderint
cries
20 heaven she moaned. "for hi
love | have risked everything. and be
hold he hates me''
Ralph returned home about II on
cold stormy, night. He took his hors
10 the stable himself, without dis
turbing the hostler. and came to tn
house by a path through the gardeI
The sound OF his wife's voice fror
behind a clump OF evergreens arreste
him. The night was dark and he stoI
ned and listened. He was man OF N
strictest sense OF honor. but under N
circumstances he felt no scruples abol
hearing what was not intended for h
ear.
CT tell you this must never oce'
again. she said, in a low, firm tone,
A does" The remainder OF the Sc
tence was spoken in whisper.
Beware how you threaten! hiss
the voice OF a man; II have the pow
vet, and IL you do not deal softly, ma
am. l will not hesitate to
Hush she said. quickly: THE We
air has ears. Do not come II you ne
more. Write to me- You know the pla
where letters reach me. Take THIS
GO"
She put something into his hanu'
Ralph pressed forward, and peer
through the bushes. but 1t was so q;
no could discern nothing beyond
ou,lines Of a tall. dark figure. hea'
bearded and wrapped in an imHe
sbavI For a moment he was temp
70 rush forth and annihilate them :
on the spot. bat prudence helo
back Tie would walt an1 wateH. ?
stood quietly IL the shadow WINE :
gene returned 70 the house anu