The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-20
Copyright. 1881. BY the Author.l

norancs when came here you went on
pretending that you were Sir Ja6ray's
wife and continued to stay here, though
you knew the marriage was bigsmous
and void. Do you see what that doesf
II just prioks the bubble Of your limo
oenco, and 1t puts you q deal deeper
into tho mud than you were before.
That's all, and il It's any consolation
to You you may know that I saw that
from the first, and 1t suited my purpose
that You should be compromised a.
much as possible.
He stopped and looked at her In tri-
umph and as II expecting an outburst,
but she had mastered her emotion by
this time completely.
"Go 3D." she said quietly.
"That means that you can at any mo-
ment be put on your trial for bigamy
and have to face the whole world from
the prisoners dock. and, what is more,
that can put you there and will II you
drive me to it. Get that into your head
clearly"
II am waiting to know what you
want. have never doubted either your
bullying cowardice or your cunning"
what I want ia easily said. I want
10 clear away from your path the diff
culties that threaten to ruin you"
"You are suddenly very solicitous on
my account" she retorted.
And I mean to show you the only
way in which 1t can be done," he con-
tinued, not needing tho interruption.
"Sir Jaffray has settled on you good
many Thousands Of pounds, and, as I
happen to know. he has in his will,
like loving husband should, loft you
everything that he could leave without
touching the entailed estates. Now
he paused and looked very closely at
her and spoke very deliberately-"if
Sir Jaffray were to die, say, by any ac-
cident Or suddenly in any way you
would as suddenly be freed from all
your embarrassments
She met his look and returned 1t with
ono which seemed to hold bis eyes fixed
Oh her.
"Wellf" She uttered the single aylla-
BILE question without allowing o sign
or symptom of her feeling to be seen in
her face.
II mean," and his voice grew trifle
hoarse and unsteady-''I mean that Sir
Jaffray is the one obstacle in your path,
and it is necessary for your sake and for
niue that tho obstacle should DO re-
moved"
Lola clinched her hands till the uaila
nearly ran into her palms, and she bit
her lip hard in her agitation, and it was
fully minute before she trusted herself
to speak.
The Frenchman filled up the interval
by lighting fresh cigarette and walk
ing up and down the room. He was
glnd of the pause, for the strain of the
moment told on him. He was very pale,
and the perspiration came out in line
of beads on his forehead.
II think I understand you," said
Lola at length when she could trust
herself to speak. "And what is to hap
pen after-after what you mean?"
He was by the door Of the room when
she spoke, and he turned and answered,
standing still. He tried to speak lightly.
"What should happen?" he cried,
with wave Of the hands and shrug
Of the shoulders "You would DO free,
and would claim you as my wife"
"You would claim me!' she repeated.
Certainly" he said masterfully.
"You would be my wife,
He stopped suddenly without finish.
ing the sentence and turned toward the
door.
whats that" he cried. He rushed
to the door and tried to open it quick
ly, but in his haste fumbled with the
handle and then threw it open and
looked out.
There was no one there, though he
thought no could hear the whisk Of o
dress, but he said nothing of this to
Lola.
II was mistaken" he said, returning
to the room and closing the door behind
him.
ut must be DEVILS plot indeed"
said Lola, "when it makes even you
imagine that there are eavesdroppers."
He made no answer to this.
swell, you know my plan now," he
said "It is the only one possible to
get US out Of this mess. What do you
say?"
"You don't expect me to reply off,
hand that am ready to take part in a
plot to murder my husband?'
"Why not? You have already re.
hearsed the part with me-"
The malice in his tone and face made
Lola clinch her teeth and flush with
anger But che did not let the hot words
that rose to her lips escape them. In
stead Of this she asked as calmly as she
could force herself to speak:
'How do you propose to carry out
the plan2'
ooh, there are 80 ways. Any one
of hundred drugs that can be got
without difficulty will do all that we
need, and any one of hundred oppor-
.tunities which can be as easily found
or made will let Us, either you or ], do
it."
"And when would you propose that
you Or I''-she paused on the words
"should do this?'
1.-THE sooner the BETTER" he answered
as coldly as II 10 had been discussing
some trifing matter Of everyday rou-
tine. ~ can get you the drug, or you
can get me the chance, and tomorrow
should see you free from your troubles. "
Even if could bring myself to do
what you ask" said Lola, II could not
do it at once. I must have time to nerve
myself"
lyon needed no time on the DEVILS
rock" he said hastily.
twill not do this without considers
ton. Tomorrow I will give you an an
swer-yes or no."
"You are a fool, Lolal Anysenr
may bring that girl Leycester basek
hero, or she may write her cursed
knowledge. We dare not delay an I'M
necessary hour"
"You know me, and that what say
I mean. ! am not even clear that will
not denounoe you myself to Sir Jaflray