Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-07-01
~ kNsS6S:z X
MIDDEN IERRORJ|I \
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Slowly then he uncovered his face and
looked at her. meeting her gaze, so full Of
entrcaty, with well-assumed grief and
agony.
"Now, my dear child" he gaspcd out.
what must you not have thought? What
must you not have suffered? oh. will
explain all to you presently-all! But
iirst let me assure you, my angel-child-
whom | have never really known till now
that that fearful thing Of which you
imagine ! was guilty Is without founda-
tion. Mabel, your father could never
have planned such crime as murder.
That which I poured into the glass was
but a sleeping draught, made to take eff.
feet In few hours. In order that my cruel
enemy might be shipped of to America
whittier indeed he intends to go almost
Immediately. Once out Of the country. he
would not return--for he breads crossing
the sea-and I could have arranged our
business by letter. 1t must be otherwise
now; but. my child, I do not the less feel
your tender devotion. Hcnccforth | will
strive to requite it!'
Mabel experienced such n rcvulsi0n Of
feeling, such deep. incxpiicable thankful.
ness that her father Ind not concentrated
a crime, that she burst into tears, sobbine
out:
lis what YOU say truc---rca,ly true, dear
father?''
my poor child he returned soothingly,
what can say to convince your Moth.
ing, perhaps; but let me take q dose my.
seit-then you Will credit my assurance;
and ne made movement as though he
would have poured something into n
glass.
NO. no. father!' cried Mabel. Il am
already convinced. Don't drink It! How
frightened l should bc to see you 80 Into
a deep Sleep!
MY darling Mabel. never were you 30
dear to me Us now. All, my child. you
have never known. never guessed. the ne.
cret Of my unhappy life! Tonight you
must be told IT,"
Father. I grieve to give you a mo-
n,ent's pain; but perhaps It Ii better I
should know it--thcn I might turn away
my thoughts from II. As II IL. night and
day l shall say to myself that there ID
some terrible, hidden thing In your life.'
"Hldden--yes," he said. In a changed
and softened voicc--''hilden. and. though
terrible, not terrible In the sense Of being
disgraceful."
mot disgraceful!" she cried. In a tone
Of rapture. Then, after ALL she need moi
be separated from Neville; and she lifted
up her eyes In unutterable thankfulness.
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CHAPTER XIV
"Is thor. 1. no,h,n. ,ii..ro.osr, ,orr....
al With Tho .oc,at ~ w",,r NINA n,,v No.
whv naed vom Nv, unh,nnv dn.r s.,ha. W
".L.d M.hoi ''''
"nos, .hiid ,.,, .,o.t III. 40, ,,n..,h,.
,,cnteJ. nnre'h.s r,"I v,ri.-.s vo,' 80
roioino,, Al. Ch.,lSo-S ,,i.h .i.,
choly smilc. "But 10 nv tale When M,
!. and Dick were almort babies. I ieft youl
dear mother TO 70 with your uncle TO the
: West Indies to see my diving cousin. who
was enormously wealthy. and who had
gone abroad a year before, hoping that the
warmth Of the tropics would prolouR hi,
life.
"You have heard Of accidental resem
blances 20 striking 10 to lead to cases OF
mist AIKEN Identity? Unfortunately. I hst
! not been long In attendance on my dyiur
cousin before I found that myself was O.
Instance Of what have Just alluded to
There was . man who often passed me n
the street. or whom now and then ran VI
against--a man who regarded me with
looks no full Of indignation and sc0rn tina,
at length l addressed him. asking II w
had ever met before.
Wretch, he answered, with q men
acing gesture. do you insult me further
by pretending Ignorance? You know
, where We have met before! You know
: that you have broken your promise moi
to remain In the same city where she In
Ana you reign 'snorahce' W course. you
, are aware tnat sue ~ mere IL you nave
: shrcd OF man'y ieenne' pattcie o.
y hohor' leave TINS place. ce'ore sue peeome'
aware OF your presence.
> II warmly cntreated my unknown &C
. cuser to suspend his judgment until ha,
convinced him OF bis mistake; but In vain
! ! acquainted him with my name and tn
: object Of my journey. He merely became
more Infatuated.
"'As II two or three years could chea
i me Of my senses: he cried. Traitor.
: should recognize you In any place, ever
y although we have met only once before
encountered you here! II you value you
. miserable life, quit this city before an
! other sunset"
with that he rushed upon me. unpre
pared, defenseless Us I was. Stunned b.