Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-02-19

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The Frenchman filled up the interval
by lighting a fresh cigarette and walk
ing up and down the room. He was
glad 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.
81 think / 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 shrue
of the shoulders. "You would be free,
and I would claim you as my wife. "
"You would claim mel" she repeated
Certainly" be said masterfully.
"You would be my wife,
He stopped suddenly without finish
ing the sentence and turned toward the
door.
whats that?' be 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 he could hear the whisk of
dress, but he said nothing Of this to
Lola.
II was Mistaken" be said, returning
to the room and closing the door behind
him.
"It must be devils plot indeed"
said Lola, "when it makes even you
imagine that there are eavesdroppers. "
He made no answer to this.
"Well, you know my plan now," be
said. ut 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
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 she 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 plan?"
"Oh, there are 30 ways. Any one
of a hundred drugs that can be got
without difficulty will do all that we
need, and any one of hundred oppor-
tunities which can he as easily found
or made will let US, either you or I, do
it,
"And when would you propose that
you or I'-she paused on the words
'should do this?'
"The sooner the better" he answered
as coldly as if he had been discussing
some trifling matter Of everyday rou-
tine. 81 can get you the drug, or you
can get me the chance, and tomorrow
should see you free from your troubles. y
"Even if I could bring myself to do
what you ask" said Lola, 81 could not
do it at once. I must have time to nerve
myself"
"You needed no time on the DEVILS
rock" he said hastily.
II will not do this without considera-
ton. Tomorrow will give you an an
swer-yes or no.
"You are a fool, Lolal Any hour
may bring that girl Leycester back
here, CT she may write her cursed
knowledge. We dare not delay an un-
necessary hour. "
lyon know me, and that what / say
I mean am not even clear that will
not denounce you myself to Sir Jaffray
and face all that may have to come. To
be once more the acknowledged wife Of
q man like you is hateful prospect"
Better to be the wife of man like
me than the wanton of another"
"You scoundrel!" cried Lola. All the
passion that she had been holding in
check blazed forth at this taunt, and,
raising the riding whip which she held
in her hand, she struck him with all
her force right across the face, leaving
a crimson vale on his livid cheek.
His rage was so violent that he trem-
bled with the force of it, and, rushing
forward, he tore the whip from her hand
and flung it to the other end of the room.
"You she devil!' he muttered, glar-
ing into her face with murder in his
eyes while Lola faced him without
flinching and smiled scornfully at the
mark on his face.
He watched her warily and cunningly
for moment, and then, ,darting forward,
seized her and commenced to struggle
with her, striving to force her backward
to a sofa, rage lending strength to his
supple, sinewy form.
She struggled on her side, putting
forth all her strength, which was very
great for woman, and for time she
resisted him and held him in check.
She would not scream and did not utter
a sound
But the struggle was an unequal one.
and gradually she felt herself beginning
to lose way before him. Her riding
habit hampered her, and she began to
fear that he would overpower her. She
strove hard to think how she could pre-
L. .~l.