The Portland daily press., 1897-12-11
RESERVED.l
KESFKVED.I
not the man whom L had suspected-but
Mr.. Philip Langford.

1880 4AAA1y A~ea&As lNANhs
Chapter TX.
His face was very pale, but his express
ion was calm and determined.
Witt a cry OF Mortified wonder recoiled
before him, and stood gazing wildly into
his face, while the old woman, trembling
and muttering to herself, sl1pt past him
and left the room. He approached nearer.
l stood STILL loekin at him my heart
throbbing and all my blood boiling in in
dignation against him.
My God, l murmured, 'then 1T was
you'll He bent his head and his face
grew paler still.
''Will you listen to me?'' he said, in a
low voice, 81 wish to explain every
thing %
''I will not listen," said, indignant
Iy, 81 have nothing to say to you, wish
to leave this house, L"
AS l moved to pass him he turned to
the door, CLOSED it, and stood with his
back to it locking at me.
"You must remain where you are, he
said, ''at least tonight. Do so, and l
swear to you that no harm shall come TO
you. For what [ have done, Catherine,
I ask your forgiveness. was mad, per-
haps, but | took you at your word. 1t
was my last chance.
I remained Supplied, at loss to connpre-
bend him, only conscious of q sickening
horror and dread of him. He saw and
understood the expression on my face,
and continued in his low, sad, musical
voice:
"You remem Der what you said-that he
who married you must win you even
against your own will? The devil put it
in my head to do it, and you are here.
This is my house. Your person is sacred
in it, but I wish you to remain as its
m istress-as my wife.
"Your wife?'' l repeated 'tYou cow
ard l will never forgive you, never
again takegyour hand even in friendship,
and for what you have done to me you
shall be punished, be sure OF that. Stand
aside, sir. and let me go p
1T is too late for that, Catherine, even
If it were my will that we should part.
1t is not my will-you must remain p
l struggled to pass him, but he stood
like rock. In my mad passion struck
him in the face with all my strength.
He smiled sadly and looked into my eyes.
You see it is useless" he said, what
is done is done. 1 would gladly recall it,,
hut regrets are always in vain. By this
time the alarm has been given, and you
are being sought for far and wide. 1t
will be thought, no doubt, that you
are dead, murdered perhaps. Well, apresf
No one will guess the truth until choose
to reveal it. In the meantime I ask you
to think it all over-.to remember the love
L bear you-and to ask yourself is it not
better to resign oneself to the inevitable?"
"You mean that ! am your prisoner?
That you will dare to detain me hereP
Think what you are doing! Suffer me to
go now, and l will try to forget what
you have done p
''There is only one way now,'' he an
swerea, quietly. You must consent to
be my wife"
IT will never do thatp' I cried.
"Never, never even il had ever cared
for you, what you have done would make
me hate you and despise you. I thought
you were gentlenan-you are scoun
drel-a scoundrel, and miserable COW
ardl'
"Whatever l am I love you, Catherine
That is all the defence I have to Offer
''Help, there, helpr' I cried
at is useless, - be said, mo one will
heed you. The people are bound to me,
and they have their instructions. If 70 q
ara wise you will remain here quietly
Whatever you need or ask for shall be
brou hit to you. My old housekeeper
will look alter your comfort. You may
assure yourself that you are perfectly safe
under this roof-rest here in peace-and
tomorrow I win come to you again.
(To be continued.