The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-03-29
CHAPTER xvII.-CoxrrxUED,.

mo, 10, no! I cannot must still
live on, and keep the dreadful secret.
D, would that had died before l yield
ed to that horrible temptationw
''You made your own bed?' he said,
eoarsely. cit don't become you to COM
plain if it doesn't lie easy"
"No. 1 have no one to blame. I
risked everything upon single die,
and lost all!'
''And that was rather lucky day for
me that curiosity to see the bride led
me to climb the locust tree just under
this window, and I saw"
"Hushr' she cried, fearfully. "The
walls have ears sometimes"
The backs of the couple were turned
to Helen; she slipped noiselessly from
her concealment, and locked the room
door, and put the key in her pocket.
Then she glided to the window, and
placed her back against 1t, thus con-
fronting the man and woman.
"You just remarked that walls have
ears" she said, quietly. Il agree with
you These have pair of them"
"Who are your" cried the man,
springing to his feet, and looking at
her. THE devil!"
''No, thank you. My name is Helen
Fulton. No relation to your friend"
He strobe toward the window.
LET me pass here right quickly, or
take the consequences he said, with
brutal determination.
She drew herself up proudly, and her
voice was cuttingly firm as his own.
'You do not pass here until you
come to my terms"
well, I like your pluck! If I was
my proposals. What are your terms?"
'You must tell me all you know about
the murder of Marina Trenholme!"
(Which I will not dor
every we'll. Then you can stay here
until morning, and l will summon some
of the family to make you come to
terms. | would speak to them tonight,
but never like to disturb people after
they are a-bed. 1t is apt to make them
ill-tempered."
"Confound you Will you stand
asidew
mot If know it."
With an oath ne sprung upon her.
Quick as thought she lifted her right
hand, in which she held the loaded
pistol
can inch nearer" she said, coolly,
land will blow your brains out! l am
sorry to be impolite tosa gentleman,
but you force me to it,!
The ruffian recoiled. He saw the
steady determination in her eye, and
knew that he might expect no mercy.
Imogene had sunk to the floor on the
first appearance of Helen, and crouched
here, staring at vacancy, her rich dress
sweeping over the bloody stain on the
carpet. She seemed incapable of speech
Or motion.
zone or the other of you murdered
Marina Trenholme," said Helen, speak
ing in a low, clear voice, land | will
know which. The innocent shall not
suffer for the guilty, if it is in my power
to prevent it. l want to save Lynde
Graham. | am disposed to be gracious
with you both. l want your written
confession-both of you-ln regard to
this thing That is all / ask. 1t is now
the fifteenth of June-ten days to the
execution. I will give you eight days
in which to escape. Give me what
ask for, and I promise you faithfully
will not show the paper to any living
being until just in time to save him
from the gallows."
81 will be caught in no such trap
Kissed the man. Get out of my way,
you little she devil I'll show you how
to use a pistolr And he seized the
weapon by the muzzle, with the inten-
ton of wrenching it from her grasp.
But he had not reckoned on thestrength
in that right arm, and in the struggle
it was discharged, and the ball passed
into his breast just above the heart.
I'm done for!" he cried with an oath,
and fell to the floor.
'Imogene sprang up, and darted
toward the window, but Helen was on
the alert, and OWNED her intention in
stantly. She caught her firmly by the
arm, and held her fast.
The noise of the pistol had alarmed
the whole household, and they came
rushing to the spot
"Open the door, Numbered Ralph
Trenholme, from without.