Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-05-31
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DANGEROUS
Secret.
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and his idleness; you know that he lives
upon my earnings and ill-treats me in
return; you know that you are ashamed
to ask him to your own house or intro
duce him to your friends, and yet when
IA woman-appeal to you for protection
and help against him, you smile and turn
the subject, and say you'll take your
leave. Well, then, I defy you both
there! Keep your drunken brother, since
you are 80 fond Of his company; support
him yourself, for I am sick Of It. My
money II my own-not kis-and I refuse
any longer to keen him IN idlsness and
Vice. while l toll and slave. Go home and
tell that to your wife, or I may take II
into my head some day to tell her myself.
Between you both you have made me des
perater'
She looks SO as she stands there, with
the fire Of indignation cleaning from her
eyes.
Most acknowledgements heard of
such a thingv' mutters William Moray.
as he slips past her down the stairs.
Then she is left alone with her hus-
band, and fear succeeds to desperation.
Her vehemence has almost sobered him.
He looks as though he were about to
speak.
She puts her boy into his little bed with
many a fervent kiss. and returns to the
sitting room, inwardly trembling, though
outwardly calm, to collect his scattered
clothes. Poor little Willy has but one
suit. If she does not hang it before the
ire to dry he will have nothing to wear
upon the morrow.
Della glances round suddenly and meets
her husbands eyes. The semi-intoxicated
,Ook has faded from them; her daring has
dispelled it. She knows now that she has
70 encounter a man sober enough to be
dangerous, and sufficiently strengthened
by liquor to feel his power. Her first i'm
pulse is to secure the weapon nearest at
land. and that is a chair. She puts it in
front of her and grasps 1t tightly, as
James Moray, with his effeminate, puny
face and evil eye, advances toward her.
CHAPTER III.
"Well," he commences insolently, land
so you have chosen to insult my best
friend, have you? and in my presence,
too"
"Your best friend, is he? For my part
I should be ashamed to be able to call no
better man Friend than one who pander-
ed to my vices, and yet did not consider
me good enough to associate with his
family"
She is crying bitterly now, with her
face hidden in her hands, but her tears
have no more effect upon James Moray
than they have upon the table.
II won't have this sniveling," he says,
coarsely; "stop it! do you hear? It's all
L &c., hi
she chooses. Whether l struck you or
not, you had no right to tell William Of
it, What concern is it of his? And
you've spoilt, maybe, the best days bust
ness ever did in my life, by blabbing Of
me in that way"
All this time it has never occurred to
Della to ask why her husband and his
brother took the unusual trouble to drag
,ut her delicate child, in such inclement
weather, to accompany them on their
round of pleasure. And she catches at
the last words of her husbands address
eagerly. They seem to contain a glimmer
Of hope for her.
How? by what means? has your broth.
er offered to help you get work.
"Work! work. I'm sick Of the word
you never seem to have an idea beyond it.
I'd have you know that my family were
not brought up to labor, whatever yours
were"
1.-THE more shame for them, If they
leaye their wives and children to starve.
And 1 may slave on forever to keep you
IN drunken idleness, while your brother
stands and looks on and sneers at my par
.,tage and my profession. But he shall
not have the opportunity to do so much
longer"
What do you mean by that insinua-
tiOn?"
time for yourself"
"By Jove! she shall tell mer' exclaims
lanes Moray, striding across the apart
nent to her side and grasping her by
he wrist. "Now, what is it?'
Rut Della clinches her teeth and is ST.
ent.
"I'hen take the consequences OF your
cursed obstinacy.
The uplifted hand comes down heavily
mon the side of her head, but she does
nof resent it further than by closing her
yves as it descends. But when she re-
elves it she draws long breath, and
,pringing up from her seat, confronts hef
husband. -
ieeringly. .,.,
| , are a coward and a bully. l think
! jNwbat I was fool enough to deny to-day,
uhor II was suggested to me-that the
S.st thing YOU can do is to drink yourself
- death. and that the sooner 1t happens
he better for all connected with you.
| A. This moment there comes cough-a
,;aale hollow cough-from the next room
nai;o hears it and makes spring foi
no door. But it is locked, and the key
Ia in MOray's pocket. -
"JJnlock the door, James! l must se
al. reply is given in a tone Of perfec'
,ooIness. although a look OF his eyes DC
.ravs that he knows his power:
81 prefer your remaining here?'
Che comes up behind him as close Ms SUI
|..p .s he unlocks the bedroom door.
"James-dear James, do let me cohe'
too" 10. v;o,entIv
rom him in the center OF the room. i
lied hands prevent her being aDie 10 SUI Nv
,erself in the slightest degree anu 'ns
falls. first against the table anu tnen oa ~,
the floor, striking the back o, ne shs
, hurt;pg herself considerably. AS sue
a;sas confused and dizzy, she hears 'nt
.,. ,urned again on the opposite sue OF
tbe door. and finds herself prisoner snn, on.
shas @ Forward and kicks with her fee'
against the panels: Coz tho love
:, heaven. come back and take me 10 NY
bOyw .oco,ves il con
,eyed by the sound Of the slamm,ns NM fa.I, aa.
locking Of the bedroom door, ana ,,I sne ,II,. =.
that further appeals to his pity wou'd 0'
In vain. no, .oain an(