Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1899-08-12
. questioned Marjorie, breath

neighbourhood of st. Paul's, at any
rate. 1t is so long ago, ] can't be
quite certain asAtosthe exact spot.
The look of eagerness faded from
Marjorie's face, to be replaced by one
of sadness.
The locket seemed bntya slender clue
by which to trace her fathers murder
er, after all.
"And it was Clipped when you
bought it ??,' she asked. after a pause.
"Oh, yes" said Madeline, without
hesitation.
After a moment or two she added
Il didn't notice that till had got
nome, and it didn't seem worth while
to return it.
Madeline broke it by saying, very
softly
Marjorie, tell me all about it-your
fathers death, mean
AS she spoke she laid one hand on
Marjorie's, while the other she pressed
to her own forehead, half shading her
face.
II seldom speak of it," said Marjorie,
sadly, for it is very, very painful to
me. l was little child at the time,
and I saw the murderer"
"What?"
Madelines voice rose almost to
scream, so greatly was she affected by
this intelligence.
Marjorie fastened to explain that 1t
was only the shape, not the features, OF
the murderer she had seen, and then,
very briefly and simply, she related
the main incidents of the tragedy
which had cast so dark shadow over
her young life.
Madeline, still shading her face with
her hand, listened in silence and when
the story was concluded she said, very
quietly and calmly
Marjorie, I'm glad you've told me
this, because, knowing how much
you've had to suffer, / shall be able to
sympathize with you-and help you,
too, hope. But think you are wise
in not speaking of it to every one
81 couldn't do that" said Marjorie,
softly, "even after all these years, it
is too painful to me. l did love my
father-he was so good to me. Oh, he
was kind and good to everybody. ]
don't think he ever did an unkind act
in his life"
A tear had trembled on her long,
dark lashes; but now she dashed it.
away, and her beautiful face was very
stern, as she added
'The man who killed him must have
been fiendishly cruel! Some day his
crime will find him out. l feel 1T
feel it here!"
She pressed her hand to her heart
"And would you wish that, Mar
jorie?" asked Miss Hyde, with an ac-
cent of horror. ''You are so gentle
and"
The look of sternness deepened on
Marjorie's face.
IF I could trace my fathers muir
derer, and give him up to justice, I
would most certainly do it," she an
swered. II hope I am not vindictive.
In no other instance in all my life
have l ever felt the slightest wish to
punish an enemy. But this man-this
neither pity nor
pardon. For the sake of money he
killed one of the best and kindest men
that ever lived. He has two lives to !
answer for. He murdered my father,
and broke my mothers heart"
Marjorie was standing erect now
The lamplight fell upon her face, re-
vealing the firm lines about the mouth,
the look Of steady purpose in the lus-
trOus, dark-lashed eyes.
All the softness and gentleness had |
fled from her face
She was no longer a soft, tender |
girl, but woman with a wrong to |
avenge
The sight of the locket. which was
to have been her dead mothers valen-
tine, had transformed her thus
If ever fate delivered that midnight |
murderer into her hands. he would |
find this slender, delicate young crea-
ture a stern and bitter Nemesis to T
reckon with.
Il cannot wonder at your feelings"
Sdlu N1duSllue, SLOWLY. II L were IN |
your place perhaps l should feel the
same. 1t was an awful-a terrible I
crime But when one thinks of the
penalty the law awards to ito be +
hanged by the neck"
She broke off with shudder, and
said no more.
1T is horrible, but it is just" said /
Marjorie calmly, though she too, trem-
bled
But if" resumed Madeline, after a
pause, mine years have elapsed, and
the police haven't been able all this
lime to discover the slightest clue, it
IS unlikely they will ever find one
aow."
And yet you see / have been d.
rected to this locket after all these
years"
Yes, but what goood can that do?"
said Madeline, hnrriedly and with
slight change of color. This man
rom whom bought it was respect
lbIe tradesman. Most likely it has
passed through several hands before
t came to him. After all these years,
t would be next to impossible to trace
+