Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-05-27
CHAPTER XXI

LII utter sience Erie Llewel1yn and Mu-
riel walk back to their rooms in New
Cavendish street, and while each one is
speeches. in deep and painful musing.
the Iire of anger and grief burns fierce
and high in the hearts of each. She has
deeply offended his pride and wounded his
passionate love for her. Hc has aroused
very tempest of jealous anguish and de-
| spair in her girlish, undisciplined heart.
Il know now why You married mew
exclaims Muriel as soon as they enter the
sitting room. II know now! I could not
imagine why you decided on marrying me
as soon as you saw me, why you insisted
on such hasty, hurried marriage, even
while Miles was dying"
IF you imagine beyond the truth. so
much the worse for you," Eric answers.
Il wanted to marry you because loved
YOU"
mo, but because you wanted to be re-
venged on Edith Cameron, whose lover
you were," Muriel retorts.
"You are speaking unkindly, discourte-
ously and untruthfully, Muriel. / repeat
l married you because loved you enough
to hope you could fill my heart entirely.
and, by your love entirely blot out thu.
memory of another woman's falseness.
Recollect, I have a longer past than you.
who are only in your girlhood; and you
can hardly imagine that mans life be-
fore his marriage is like a woman's."
Il want to know nothing of your past"
poor Muriel says, illogical as every wom-
an, when her hearts deepest feelings are
concerned, always is: II only know that
you loved that other woman and not me.
Nd n rsoI hn :1Vy l.
is free and you are not, and--for myself,
can only wish I was dead and buried
with my brother!'
"Hush!' Eric says, sternly, stamping
his foot in his agitation. "How dare you
say such wicked thing! Please to re-
member before you hurl accusations of
falsehood. cruelty and treachery in the
unmeasured terms you have been using"
he says sternly, with a darkened brow,
'that l have done you no wrong beyond
not informing you of a certain story of my
past life with which you have no concern
whatever. You married me to serve your
own ends" he continues. and the CALLING,
torturing belief he shrinks from, and yet
cannot get rid of, is like Hercules poi
soned tunic to him. "You deceived me
with pretenses of the utmost maidenly
pride and unwillingness, to enhance the
value of your consent, when all the time
you meant and intended that should be
your husband. and had plotted indeed be-
forehand to bring things to the desired
issue. This is a discovery which a man
like me finds 1t hard to forgive"
''You say 'plotted?'" Muriel asks, and
there Is an ominous quiet in her tones.
with whom did plot? There are usu-
ally two in a plot"
"Not necessarily" answers Eric CURLY.
Sand I deceived you with 'pretense Of
the utmost maidenly pride and unwilling
ness, to enhance the value Of my con-
SENT" Muriel says, repeating his words
exactly to order, "'when all the time
meant and intended that you should be
my husband r."
Eyes, you did" Eric says fercely, 'and
it was base and false of YOU"
''Of me and my brother Miles?'' she
questions, still as calmly as ever. "You
have evidently been well informed by an
enemy and an eavesdropper Of confidential
conversations between Miles and myself,
20 know all you must have heard, and l
know now when you heard tit is all
plain and clear to me now: and know,
too, that there was not even then 90 much
liking or loyalty to your dead friend who
loved you 40 brother, to make you be-
lieve the best, and not the worst of him
and Of me. And you may, and you shall.
for any word shall ever utter!' Muriel
Gays, abandoning the control she has kept
oysf hersalf for - long. Ny darling