Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1899-09-02
/0R'7SRcED- 9x a: NALEN7HNE

as he might, he could not bend me to
his will. ] hated and dreaded their
vile pursuits too much for that But I
went on loving him--I couldn't help
myself. I loved him even though /
soon saw he had ceased to care for
me. Oh, what l have suffered-oh.
Marjorie! Marjorie!"
Again she was convulsed with sobs,
and again Marjorie soothed her with
all the tender sympathy a woman's
heart can show sister In distress
After few minutes had thus pass
ed, she resumed her narrative:
eve came hereto this house
about six weeks ago. Their object was
to rob Sir Edward Mortimer. All the
plate and jewels are kept on the prem
ises there, and they expected more
than ordinarily rich booty.
ITO achieve this, no expense was
spared. This house was taken fur
nished; the servants were all members
of the gang We had been here only
short time, when henry father
met with you. He had always said
that woman, young, and beautiful,
and well-educated, would be invaluable
to them; and it was his purpose to try
to win you over. He showed you an
advertisement which he pretended was
his, and you believed him and came"
"Ah!" exclaimed Marjorie, in horror.
"Who could have suspected that a man
who looked and spoke as he did. could
have been so vile!"
Ellis pleasant countenance has been
his capital always said Madeline, bit
terly, "and he has traded on it to the
uttermost With view to impressing
you favorably, he has assumed the ap-
pearance of great benevolence and
piety; and this would have continued
till he felt you were in his power.
''You were so young and so COM
pletely friendless that he made sure of
winning you over in the end You
were to be tricked, as I was, through
your affections. Charles had orders to
do everything in his power to make
you fall in love with him."
Again an, involuntary exclamation
burst. from Marjorie's lips.
She saw the whole vile plot now
from beginning to end.
Her cheek crimsoned, and then
again turned pale.
IT did all could, Marjorie, to save
you from the snare" said Madeline,
gazing on her very mournfully. II
dared not betray them, dared not tell
you the truth, but you remember how,
whenever l could, l warned you against
Charles. I limited to you over and
over again that he was unworthy of
your love-" n
Eyes, I remember" acknowledged
Marjorie; land l thank you 1t was
not your fault that I wouldn't take
your warning Oh, Madeline, if had!
if I only had!' -.
And then, unable to bear her misery,
with calmness, she gave way utterly,
and broke into tears.
Dear Marjorie, don't grieve for him.
He isn't worth one thought from your
pure heart. Forgive me, darling, that
/ didn't tell you all the truth in time"
81 have only myself to blame" Sob
bed Marjorie. You warned me
enough, I ought to have believed YOU
After time she calmed herself, and
turned to Madeline with gentle resolu-
ton.
go on, Madeline, 1tellsme ALL"
There is not much more to tell-nOt
much that you can't guess at, or that
you don't already know. Last week
they made an attempt on Mortimer
House. 1t failed, and they resolved to
try again, so bold and desperate they
were. They made the, effort again; it
failed; they were pursued, although
they thought they had got clear away,
and were followed here. In my heart
/ had felt sure that would be the end
of it. Something within me seemed tc
prophecy it would come to this"
Madeline, you were imploring some
thing from-from Edgar in the draw
ing-room before you came to bed.
heard you by accident. What was it
you were asking him. dear?"
: ITO give up the plan, not to go out
tonight. / told him how full my heart
was Oh LUe OS1161 LudL IL WOulu cuO III
something terrible. l intreated him,
if not for myself. yet for the sake Of
his unborn child"
His child" exclaimed Marjorie,
with sudden burst Of tender pity.
ooh. Madeline!"
Eyes. Marjorie. / have that to look
forward to. You may judge whether !
look forward to it with joy. hope my
baby will die. Why should it live,
poor innocent? A murderer's child!'
tMadeline!" said Marjorie. in low,
awe-struck whisper. WAS it he
your husband-who killed my father"
Madeline answered with a deep,
heart breaking sigh.
She could not speak.
"Then that was what you meant |
when you said you might, some day,
ask me to give you life for a life,"
cried Marjorie. you were thinking
of him-of what might happen If / dis.
covered his crime"
Eyes. that was what I meant. On, I
Marjorie, what have suffered! Ever
since you recognized that locket, my
life has been an agony. / had never I