Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-05-05
in strange tone. "Have I cut your en-


guilt that Michael Denza felt sure his
doubts would prove to be realities.
because I suspect your errand, Ella
more, I know it-and I am resolved
to hear the truth.
80 Godp' she cried involuntarily,
and there stopped. Her husband stalked
up to her and grasped her by the wrist.
II married you because I thought you
were true woman and would stick to
me, p" he said, "and till this day never
suspected you Of double dealing. But
have found you out at last, and you
shall suffer for it. Tell me the truth OF
I will kill you. You have been with
that man."
Her eyelids fell before his angry
glance.
"Ob, Michael, for Gods sake, forgive
meI' she cried.
"Forgive you" he exclaimed. "Yes,
I will forgive you, madam, and I will
tell you how. I will turn you out Of
the house you have dishonored this very
hour. You shall never see me or your
children again or have another oppor-
tunity of deceiving me, as doubtless
you did the unfortunate devil whose
name you bore before mine"
1T is a lie'' she cried, goaded into
resentment. 81 never deceived him.
was only too patient He has said SO
himself.
"Then you reserved the honor for me.
I am infinitely obliged toyou. But it is
for the last time. You shall not live to
deceive me again"
He advanced upon her with such q
threatening air that the woman really
thought her last hour was come.
mercy, mercy" she shrieked. "Oh,
Michael, spare me, and will tell you
everything!'
"Tell me the truth, then, if you can.
Have you come from meeting another
man?''
"Yes. yes, I havel'
my God, and you can own it'll What
is his name?"
She hesitated, and he returned to the
attack.
"Give me his name, or will strike
you to the ground.
But sudden courage seemed to have
come to Mrs. Denza's aid. She drew up
her slight figure to it's full height and
looked her husband straight III the eyes.
"Strike me if you WILL" she answer
ed, land you will learn nothing. But
be patient, and I will take you to him.
Then you can revenge yourself upon
him as you will"
"You will take me to him?" he STAN.
mered.
"Iwill take you to him." she repeat
ed. "But come at once, or it may be
too late.
She ran swiftly from the house as she
spoke, and Michael Denza, clapping his
hat upon his head, followed her as in
dream. He could not believe it posi-
BILE she would introduce him to the very
presence of her lover. Mrs. Denza
walked quickly down several streets.
until she had reached poorer quarter
of the town, formed Of small houses.
Knocking quietly at the door Of one Of
these, she merely said to the landlady,
II wish to 20 up stairs again." then
to her husband, "Follow me-, and in
another minute they had ascended the
narrow staircase together and entered
O bedchamber.
Mrs. Denza seemed strangely altered.
Her step had grown majestic and her
manner almost defiant as she advanced
to the bedside, and, pulling down the
sheet, disclosed the pallid face of an at
tenuated corpse.
"There,' she exclaimed proudly as
she turned to Michael. "There is the
man / came fromP'
"Deadp' he said, falling backward.
"You are fooling me, Ella. This is
some trick of yours What had you to
do with this corpsei"
81 will tell you, Michael Denza, "
she replied. "That is the corpse of the
man who beat and insulted me until
for my own safety I was compelled to
separate from him. He has killed him
self by drink and debauchery, but he
was none the less the man whom once
I swore to cherish. When his landlady
appealed to me some weeks ago for
money to buy him the actual necessaries
Of life, did not feel justified in refus-
ing it. How could I have lived in lux
ury and content, knowing that this
wretched creature was dying without
one comfort to smooth his passage to the
grave? Yesterday he passed away, and
the money I asked you for this afternoon
was to pay for his funeral expenses. l
was wrong, perhaps, not to confde in
YOU before, but I was afraid the subject
might worry you and cause dissension
between Us. That has been all my fault
I leave you to judge whether deserve
the imputation you have put upon my
absence.
She passed proudly down the stairs
again as she spoke, buG Michael Denza
had caught her before she opened the
hall door.
ELLA, forgive mo," he whispered. 81
was mad. / don't know what possessed
me, but evil thoughts had been put into
my head, and the idea Of losing your
confidence and affection was unbear-
able"
"And was it all about the money!
she said. "Was it because I never &C
counted for how I had spent that last
check"
II am afraid it was," he answered
with shamed look.
"Oh, how suspicious you men areF'
sighed Ella. "How many checks you
must cash that you would not like to