Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1899-09-02
CHAPTER XII.

line was bending over her with face
so white, so haggard, so drawn with
misery, that, for a moment, Marjorie
scarce recognized 1t.
Madeline" she murmured, family
reaching out her hand, What is The
matter? What has happened?"
And then recollection of nat fear
full scene in the hall swept over her
numbed brain.
She moaned, and buried her face in
the bed clothes.
Madeline sat silent and rigid in the
chair beside the bed.
She seemed to have no word to say
either of comfort or of explanation.
Presently Marjorie raised herself,
and looked at her.
Madeline, why don't you speak TO
me? l am miserable as well as You.
Tell mech, tell me all The truth!
Those people-are they all thieves?
Eyes"
The monosyllable fell from Made
lines pale lips slowly, and as though
1t hurt her.
"And you -" Marjorie began, then
stopped suddenly, not knowing low TO
frame the question.
What am /? you would say" ex-
claimed Madeline, passfonately. oh.
don't scruple to ask what questions
you choose, Marjorie. / will answer
them all now. l am the daughter Of
one thief and the wife of another !
am not thief myself have not fall
en- quite so low as that. But l am one
Of the gang-I have known their guilty
plans-I have been accessory to them
all. The police have exempted Tie from
arrest simply because, as wife, l
was not bound to denounce my hus-
bands crimes!"
"a wife!" exclaimed Marjorie, in
amazement, as soon as Madeline
paused for breath.
eyes, I am Edgar's wife-or was
God help me! I am his widow now!"
Then he is dead?" cried Marjorie,
in horror.
Eyes, he is dead" said Madeline, re-
Stunning her stony calm. HE took
poison before the police could touch
him. He died, and I, who loved him
so-ah, heaven! how loved him!-I,
even I, am thankful for it"
Her head sank upon her bosom, and
dry, fearless sob convulsed her
frame.
Marjorie put forth her hand, and
touched her gently.
poor Madeline!" she said. 81 am
so sorry for you!"
At that kind word the unhappy
creature fell into storm of agony ter
rible to witness.
Her tears came in a food, and her
frame was racked with sobs.
her life had she witnessed such emo
ton as this.
But it did good.
1t was more natural than that stony
calm, and outraged nature was ap-
peased by it.
Beneath Marjorie's sympathy and
tenderness the wretched Madeline grew
calm at last.
And then, in a broken voice. she be-
gan to try to tell her her whole sad
story.
MY father"-and she shuddered as
she spoke that word-"has been thief
ever since I was a little child. But !
have not lived with him all my life.
My mother and he had quarreled, and
] lived with her until she died. Then
me to live with him. He told me he
wanted me in his business and, little
by little, began to see what that bust
uess was
He was no common thief. Marjorie,
there was a diabolical cunning and
cleverness in all he did. /, had been
well educated-as. indeed. he himself
was-and he wanted me to help him to
get the entree into the great houses he
meant to rob. This I would never do,
and he was fearfully angry with me,
for he had frightful temper when
reused. for all his bland, pleasant
looks. He said he wanted a woman
in the business. and when kept re-
sisting he planned cruel thing to
bring me to his will"
What was it?" questioned Mar
jorie.
He threw me into the company OF
Edgar Monson-for Edgar's name was
not Hyde. must tell you; he was not
my fathers nephew, no relation at all,
neither is Charles, Edgar's brother.
They were both simply members Of
the gang"
Again she paused, then went on in
a broken voice. and with many tears:
II know now that Edgar was DELHI
erately set to employ every artifice to-
make me love him. He was represent
ed in the best light to me. He won my
sympathy, and, at last, my heart How
] loved him could never tell you! /
think that never in this world has man
been loved by woman as he was loved
by me. Well, married him-not quite
a year ago. He swore he would break
with the gang, reform, go abroad with
me, and live an honest life. believ-
ed him--and week after the mar
riage he laughed and boosted of the
ruse he had adopted to bind me to
- L.