Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-06-14


yourself from beginning to end. And il
the poor girl had never been such a fool
p 10 marry him hs couldn't have made
her suffer like this to crafty his own
petty revengev'
1He woman on the floor seems to have
oeen listening to Mrs. Hephzibah's words.
loi as the last sentence leaves her lips she
raises her head, and a look of fierce de-
| termination succeeds the despair in her
face.
What il It she gropes for In her bosom
Does she mean to murder the man who
threatens to rob her of her child: and is
u concealed knife for which she seeks ,
II might be, judging from the look upon
i her face. But whatever it is, as she gets
hold of it she rises to her feet suddenly.
I and stands upon the hearthrug with her
/ back to the fire.
"ME. Bondr' she exciaims. sis that the
! truth? Were my boy Legitimate, could
| they take him from me:'
a strange question. my dear madam;
but certainly not-certainly not"
mot by will-or Otherwise?''
"Not by any means whatever. 1t Is
only over his legitimate child that man
has any power"
! Something held in the hands behind her
! back drops into the blazing fire. and is
shriveled into nothing.
As Della gives a rapid glance around
and sees it has entirely disappeared, n
beautiful courage-the courage of despair
CLEANS from her eyes like that which
must have inspired the martyrs of old
when they placed their naked feet upon
the burning ploughshares.
She catches up the child upon the
, hearthrug, and holding him tightly to her
breast, advances to the table.
''Then I defy William Moray, or any
other man, to take my boy from me- she
says. HE is mine, and 1 am his. We
belong to one another only. l was never
married to his father"'
AT this announcement every one in the
room is visibly startled.
Are you in earnest. mn dam p demands
the solicitor, incredulously.
Della Moray! for heavens sake, think
what you are sacrificing" whispers Mrs.
Horton.
But the animal instinct is reused in the
woman's breast, and she shakes off her
best friend with fierce sdR imgasisass ggnassss ,o,
Il tell you it's the truth"
1T is not" says William Moray; eft is
! 1 trumped-up lie to serve your own pur-
pose. had the assurance from my broth
er's lips that you were his wife"
Where are the proofs, then? Bring
them forwardw
"You must have a copy Of the marriage
certificate surely?" says the lawyer.
Mrs. Hephzibah Horton remembers
and says nothing.
II have no certificate" replies Della.
THAT is Of little consequence" says
William Moray, angrily. "a copy is cas-
ily procurable from the registrars books
Of the church where they were married.
l am not going to be fooled in this way"
But if we were never married in any
church-what thenY says Della defiant
ly.
But say you were! You were mar
ried at Chiffon, in Berwick. Now! are
you convinced that it is useless to try and
deceive me"
She laughs scornfully.
"Go to Chiffon. then, and get the GER
tifcate. There is no church there. 1t
was burned to the ground the very time
stayed there in the place with your broth
er."
Mr.. Moray starts. He has heard some
thing of the occurrence before, and re-
members 1t is true. He begins to fear she
may outwit him.
This is child's play!' he exclaims pas
sionately. "There must be a copy of the
certificate somewhere among my late
brother's papers. 1 shall go and search
for it."
He leaves the room as he speaks, and
Mrs. Horton approaches Della.
The mothers face is very pale, and her
lips are tightly compressed together, and
har ha n ho oh ri -
away from her.
Don't touch me, or speak TO me! re
member what l am!'
II do remember it, Della Moray. and l
admire your courage. But you cannot de
ceive me"
The girls eyes turn toward her with
.ook of infinite gratitude.
Don't mention it now! For the next
few minutes l must act, or fail.
William Moray re-enters the apartment
"Hoye YOU been successful, sirT' asks
Mr. Bond.
No" is the reply. But l VIII prove
the truth of the marriage yet II trouble
Or expense will do it"
"Meanwhile," interposes Mrs. Horton
blandly. "you will have no objection, i
suppose. to this lady returning home win
me"
So Della passes from the home where
.be has been so miserable, with bhsh'
upon her fair fame, and brand forever
an her outcas child, believing that the JOY
she has so rashly purchased must out
weigh the sufferings that accompany H.
And this is Della Moray's lie!
CHAPTER Y.
There are some places in this worid Oh
.bance-a very few-which look as If they
nd stood still since the day on when
they they attained maturity. No modern arehi- :
lecture has displaced the quaint fash'oh
In which their first houses were b"'it; III
Innovations have been permitted to super
,ede the ancient customs.
Such a place is Bruges: city beloveo OF
devotees, refugees, and impecuhiouA As
Iishmen. L. tho.s
1t appears like sncrilese to MAKE tno..
.,rornnd archwnys ring with laughter
,r the ancient stones clatter beneath run
Il