Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-08-30
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thing-in a complimentary sense. Of
course!" he added, in laughing apology.
Gwen Of the imprudence of inviting
you, this afternoon, to be the compan-
ion Of my driver" she Interrupted, in
low, hooking tones. "No, did not
wreck the train, Harvey Barclay. It
was quite sufficient to wreck life. Do
you know, for moment I was almost
the short list Of killed? 1t would have
less that poor boy; and to him 1t
might have proved mercy in disguise.
Why did you do it. Harvey" she cried,
passionately. Why after getting me
to throw him over, did you afterward
urge our marriage. playing upon my
ambition. when you knew that all the
heart I had belonged to you?"
"There was nothing else to do. Hell
en-. I had but my pay; we would both
have quarreled within a month over
that. A rich marriage was necessary
to both of u.s.
"To both of u.s." she echoed. with
pallid lips: "You mean, Harvey, that
you intend to follow my example?"
perhaps, ma chere, when I grow
weary of bachelorhood. 1t depends on
what favor you accord me, Helen,"
speaking with sudden earnestness.
'You must win me a footing in your
new name. You must overcome your
husbands prejudice to me. You must
make us friends. You can do what you
will with him now, and it Is the only
way in which we can see each other
without fear of scandal or reproach."
"You set me hard task, Harvey
one which I fear is impossible"
Impossible" he repeated. with
something like a sneer on his hand
some face. IT did not suppose your
lexicon contained that word; nor do I
imagines anything impossible to the
woman who to-day is the acknowl-
edged wife of Edgar Reynolds son,
who, a month ago"
"Hush" she interrupted. fiercely.
tWhat have either of US to do with the
past? Let it rest in it's merited obliv-
ion, Harvey Barclay, but for you, and
the love I have given you-the love
which has made me a tool in your
hands to work your will. If you had
married me- Harvey-if we might have
renowned this ambition, which may
yet wreck both our lives-I believe we
would both have been happier and bet
ter"
"Is all this sentiment the effect of
married life?" he answered. "Ah, for
give me, Helen, but you did not always
talk like this!-and you forget that
while you are luxuriating in the inside
warmth, am shut out in the cold. My
debts are pressing me hard. I have
NO. ,ol- OF al f0,1oho6
Sometimes am ready to put pistol
to my head and blow out my brains.
Why not? 1t requires far more cour-
age to live than to die, and miss your
sympathy. My girl, you were always
generous enough with that, and think
I've stood more in need of it since I
lost it,
Tears-genuine tears-were in the
golden-gleaming eyes, and hung wet
and heavy on the dark lashes.
"Poor boy" she murmured, softly,
and with one small, gloved hand she
made half-involuntary gesture, as If
she would lay it upon his arm, but she
checked the impulse with sad smile.
1T almost forgot my present grand
eur" she said. II almost touched you,
as though my touch. like that of King
Midas, could convert for you all things
into gold. So money still troubles you.
Harvey? How strange it seems to me
to take no further heed of it. Only yes
terday Harry took my purse and filled
it with notes. I don't know how much
there is, but take it. Harvey, if it will
help you any. I will tell him that l
lost it ALL"
"No," answered the man, with a hot
flush on his face. give not sunk to
that yet-though God knows what 1
may come to. I might not have been
better, but I'd have been no worse than
other men, but for this cursed lack of
money. When I reach my worst ex-
tremity, Helen, I'll come to you, my
girl. You needn't fear; and you may
help me better than by the proffer of
over your father-in-law's bank ac-
on pleasant topics. Let's change the
discussion. Tell me something about
your new relations. There's a girl
somewhere, isn't there? What of ker?'
He strove to speak, indifferently, but
the woman at his side started and
looked with keen intentness into his
impassive face.
Eyes," she replied, "there is girl.
What do you want to know of her?'
"Is she rich?"
"Pretty?"
"she is going to be beautiful"
"You are frank in doing her justice,
at all events--too frank, Helen! fear
there's something behind. 1t does not
sound like you"
"No?" she answered. "Why should
not be frank concerning her? 1t rests
with me whether you shall ever know
her"
He laughed.
"True," he said. "But she might
serve as pretext for my visiting the
house. I might make her the blind be-
tween us. 1 might so deaden your hus-
bands jealousy and be enabled to see
you when would"
Again she turned upon him that
eager, questioning gaze.
"Take care, Harvey" she said. "1t
wouldn't do for you to play me false!"
Again he laughed.
you're not jealous of myth Helen.
surely? And I thought you knew your
power too we'll to be jealous of any liv-
ing woman, if she had the beauty of
u,isdono of Nfinorva NV