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

CHAPTER XIII.
SUBTLE PLOT.
'All Is readyf"
Everything. My hoIsekeeper, whom
we can trust, will act as nurse and is in
the next room. will receive the Mar
shalls when they arrive and pave the
way for you"
Make no mistake!"
twas the afternoon of the day succeed
ing that which had witnessed Beat
rice MERGERS strange act OF generosity.
Beatrice herself, in propria persona.
| the disguise she had hitherto adopted
now abandoned, lay upon couch in
one corner of her sleeping apartment.
She was no longer disguised, but there
was change in her from her ordinary
appearance that was most remarkable.
Her face looked thin and wretchedly
white, her eyes heavy. AS she lay back
on the pillow, her labored breathing and
hectic cheeks seemed to indicate hot,
burning fever.
A hot, burning fever she had, but
produced by artificial means. This
ruthless schemer had paused at nothing
to accomplish her ends. To further her
schemes an assumption of mortal ILL
ness had been necessary, and her
worthy coadjutor, DR.. Simms, had not
prevaricated when he told her that the
contents Of the little phial he hal given
her tn day previous would bring about
the result she desired.
These two had plotted well in unison.
and as he entered the outer room of the
suite he assumed that grave, serious ex-
preston Of face that the average physi-
clan wears while attending a patient in
the last extremity.
| He opened the door with warning
noiselessness as there came a'tap. final
| ly. A servant stood there, two persons
at his side.
| Gentleman to see Miss Leslie, sir, "
he announced, withdrew, and Doctor
Simms ushered his two visitors into the
room and POINTED to chairs, his serious
manner evidently surprising them.
Colonel Marshall was the one, his son
Raymond the other. The former was
all curiosity and excitement. AS to
Raymond, as he sat gazing vacantly at
the floor, his hollow cheeks, haunted
eyes and detected bearing generally
told that the present visit had no inter-
est for him.
Doctor Simms" calculated the Colo
mel. Why! came to SEQ"
| MISS LeSllel
"Yes."
Miss Leslie is O dying woman, Colo
mel Marshall.
What"
With an incredulous gasp the Colonel
started to his feet.
yes, she has been i'll for some time.
l was summoned yesterday afternoon.
/ found her feyered, almost delirious
h. 1-n1 30, otx
Doctor, you amaze me! This strange
lady"
HAS ON iron will oven In death. She
has explained everything to me. She
insists upon seeing yourself and your
son, even in her dangerous condition.
told her that the shock might kill hor
but she insists.
"Doctori j am a. perfect loss tc
understand this ladys remarkable gcn-
crosby In my behalf-the mystery sur
rounding her
Here are the notes she took yester.
day. She bade mo destroy them in your
presence"
Wait! Don'tl l really cannot &c.
cept all these favors from stranger.
The Colonel spoke too late. The
documents were blazing on tho hearth
He was free mani A stranger haC
4 liberated him from all tho financial en-.
tanglements of the hour.
"Doctorl" he painted, this mystery Is
madden;ng. Who is this LADY,"
you will be surprised when 70,
know. Come; you, too, Mr.. Marshall,
to Raymond.
He advanced to the door of the sleep
ing-room and tapped lightly. Thu
nurse opened it. Awed, startled, Col
Marshall stood in the center Of tn,
apartment, gazing obviously at the fig
ure lying on the couch, Its face turned
from him.
Cutie as curious and interested for til,
moment, Raymond Marshall looked up
too.
Miss Leslie has asked me to explain
to you why she has interested herself IL
your Behalf" spoke the Doctor, in calm
measured accents. Her act has beer
one In q measure OF atonement, of com
pensation for wrong done member o
your family"
Hal" exclaimed the Colonel with 1
start, "she must be, then. some relativ,
OF the wretch who robbed me-who en-
compassed mo in oil this trouble, m,
former partner"
Not at all. She simply deceived {
member Of your family. She is familiar
: with the troubles of your son, as we'll n.
yourself. and she desires me to impair
scme monnful information to him
Mr.. Marshall. will you kindly read tina
arsic,e?"
Tho Doctor had handed to Raymond
Marshall tho newspaper which had frs
set Beatrice on the trailof Edna Deane
1t chronicled hor death at the snow
laden bridge. So accurately did it dc
scribe Edna and her attire, that, a
Raymond Marshall perusod it, with dis
tended eyes and ashen face, he coul'
, not mistake tho truth. With wild or
he sank to chair, the paper Tutoring
to the floor.
Dead dead!" he walled. All hope
then, is LOST
what may all this have to do Wit
the lady herc?" began tho astounded an
mystjlied Colonel Marshall.
Much. This ordeal is trying, fata
, to hor, but she insists. Nurse, turn u
The lamp. Colonol--Mr. Marshall, you
bcncfsctress, the lady who makes al
atonemcnt for great wrong. is
), Beatrice Mereer!"
In surprised accents from the Colo
nels lips, in q gasp OF incredulity fror
those OF Raymond Marshall. rang IN
name simultaneously, as the pretcnde'
invalid turned her wan features towar
them.
DYING features they were, to oil sem
, blanca. The Doctors art and her ow'
| dcft acting carried out the intcndc
] effect cOmplctely