The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-08-20

ner 10 you atter my cruel uecepVion, Lu1
she is dead. A distant relative loft me
a fortune. The only restitution could
make was to aid your father. l am dy-
ing. The only reward ask is that you
take my hand and forgive me for it all. :"
Raymond Marshall stood like one in
a dream. All the past flashed over his
mind. This woman hal, indeed,
wronged him, but still she was not ac-
coun, able for Edna's death. AS he
thought of all she had done for his
father, as he fancied he read noble re-
morse in her words and deeds, a gener-
GUS impulse drove h m forward.
He felt her burning land twitch In
his own. He dill not doubt, after all
the Doctor had said, that she was dy-
ing woman.
You did me no wrong except to tor
ture me with passing belief In the
faithlessness OF the woman I loved, he
said.
For love Of you'll" murmured Be-
atrice, fervently. Raymond, can tell
you now, for / shall soon die. was not
to blame for my love. and / had not Ed
mas gentle nature to endure in silence.
I loved you SO horelessly, yet SO
fondlyl"
His eyes dlmmed with tears. Love
was surely no sin, even when hopeless.
His great heart stirred with honest
pity. :,
Il can die in peace, now" she said,
"for your eyes tell me that / am for
given. Raymond, good-by-good-byl'
Her eyes were raining tears. Oh,
actress deft and su5tle oh, hypocrite
strong and confident! pitting all the is
sues Of life upon the frail cast OF die.
She turned her face to the wall, her
sobs causing the sympathetic Colonel
to vince with honest pity. Raymond
looked concerned, grieved.
Can we do nothing to make her hap
pier2" spoke the Colonel, deeply al
fected. Can not tell her how CRATE
full am-how some arrangement must
be made for the repayment OF the
money advanced"
she would refuse to consider 1t, re-
sponded the Doctor. "But-no! l had
better not mention It,"
Speak, Doctorl" urged the Colonel,
eagerly. You were about to make
some suggestion"
1T concerns your son. This morning
this poor creature walled her heart-sick-
ness over her love for him. She cannot
survive the night, and yet l think she
would be infinitely happy for that briel
period of time IL she knew that you
Forgive me, gentlemen, my task is toe
difficult to complete.
IF she knew what?" demanded Ray
mond, softly.
IF you would consent to wed her
Nay, sir, do not start. A dying child
wish; you need not crafty it, only she
has left all her fortune to you.
Il will never accept 1T" dissenteo
Raymond, Indignantly.
The law will make you. This Fool
girls devotion is pitiable. Give hel
your name, render her dying moments
happy. 1t is not much to do, for before
morning you will be widower.
The plot was out. This was the def
design two clever schemers had planned
Tho unsuspecting Raymond Marshall
never dreamed Of new deception.
Raymond, do 1t; it will quiet tall
when her will is read. Poor creature
her devotion is indeed pitiable,' spoke
the Colonel.
Raymond Marshall thought Of thu
woman dead and of all his love for her
of the woman dying and his pity for he
forlorn hclplessness.
What does 1t matter!" he murmurod
dc:ectcdly. My life Is gloom-the flu
ture aimless. II that small ceremon.
can brighten this dying girls moments
Doctor, 1 will marry her!"
Tho cleycr actress on the coucl
thrilled wildly. At last, reward; at last
! success! Her hour of triumph had come
IrO BE CONTINUED.I