The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-09-15

A SIRENS VICTIMS ;
e By Frances Warner Walker q
.....,...oo9
By Frances Warner Walker.

CHATTER III. (ContinuedA


CHAPTER TX. (Continued.)
why should I carer" she echoed,
with flashing eye and heaving breast.
'"Why, indeed? What matters it thai
in another's ear you murmur your
false, tender ~words-that on another's
lips falls your passionate caress-that
her head sleeps on your heart-and II
starve and go mad in knowing that to
another is given the food which would
help me to live? It shall not be, Har-
vey Barclay!-you hear me?-it shall
not bel" M
you refuse me your aid, then?"
He stood with arms still folded across
his breast. A cold. cynical smile
wreathed his mouth.
Her passionate protest had Weakened
no response. A lurid light, as Of an
ger. cleaned in her eyes.
She glanced up into his face, and
from her own the determination fled.
She clasped her hands in su%pplication
upon his sleeve.
"Ask me anything else, Harvey-anys
thing but this" she pleaded.
Don't be foolish, Helen he said,
CURLY. Let me begin the farce in my
own way"
What is the SUM you need? I might
make another appeal to Grace Tor n
amount-might tell another pitiful ne."
ut would be but a straw floating In
the current at which the drowning man
grasps. I need a fortune! But"-pull-
ing out his watch-"it's time for my
appointment"
with her? Harvey, you shall not
go!"
Across his face swept a look Of mer-
CHESS determination.
"You are still o~bdurate?" he ques-
toned. s.
IT swear you shall not go to her from
me this night"
Her own face, now, had hardened,
and was as implacable as his.
He laughed bitterly, cruelty.
perhaps you will ask your husband.
Harry Reynolds, to interpose his au-
thority. Do so. Take n step to pre-
vent what I have made up my mind to
do. and-does your memory date back
I'VE years. ma chere? Well, the story
Of our first meeting would be somewhat
interesting to the gay world gathered
about us. do you not think so? Which
will make the greater sensation-your
story or mine? I leave 1t for you to
decide which shall be told first"
And with these words, more cruel
than the thonged lash, he turned and
left her standing amid the green plants,
the cool shadows, the FLASHING waters;
but she dreamed she stood within the
gates of purgatory.
"Helen, Mr.. Barclay told me I should
find you here, and that you asked him
to send me to you" broke In her hus-
bands voice. "What has happened.
dear? You look pale. Are you I'LL"
She forced herself, by a powerful eff
fort, to smile, and strove to Danish
from her eyes the look Of pain.
ST am quite WE'LL" she answered;
s'but I found the rooms hot. When
when did you leave Grace?" =.
Barclay was about to seek her.
How attentive he Is growing to Grace.
Helen! I tried to warn her once about
him, but she refused to listen to me
kindly. 7 sometimes fear she Is really
interested in him. and I cannot anthem
ticate any Of the rumors to his discred-
It. How I wronged you, darling, con
corning himl Yet I deeply regret that
/ overcame my jealousy and allowed
him to obtain such familiar footing in
our house. I was growing to like him;
but, lately, since I have seen his atten-
ton to Grace, and learned that these
stories are afioat concerning him, my
old. distrust has returned. What shall
do, Helen? Can you not help me?"
So he, too, appealed to her for help.
che could have shrieked aloud in re-
cognition of the strange coincidence in
the fearful tension which held her
nerves.
"Of what rumors do you speak?" she
asked, at last.
Her throat was dry, her mouth
parched. Her voice sounded unnatural
to her own ears.
81 have not told you Of them? No;
I remember. They say that he gam
bles for very high stakes. I fear that
he may wish to benefit himself by
Grace's fortune. Dear girl! She is
worthy Of a better fate"
"yVhy did you not save her, then, by
taking herself and her fortune when
they were yours for the asking?"
She started at the repressed bitter
ness of her own tone. It was nearer
betrayal than anything that had ever
escaped her.
But she had scarcely listened to or
needed aught that he had said. Each
moment was fraught to her with abso-
Lutte torture. for was not Harvey per-
haps, at this moment. pressing his suit
with the heiress and her rival?
"A wave Of utter surprise, followed by
deep displeasure. swept over the young
husbands face. He could scarce be-
lieve that he had heard Alright.
3 ss15o1pni0 hA exclaimed. 8
And the simple u%tterance Of her name
was at once q question and q demand
for explanation.
She laughed and passed her hand
over her brow.
"I-I believe I am not well. Take me
home, Harry. And flnd Grace. She
must come with VA. I cannot leave her
alone. You have given me new fears
concerning her"
His displeasure vanished; he bent
over her in tender solicitude; and now
she was all impatience to be gone.
leave me here" she insisted. 'and
find Grace quickly. Tell her that I am
Ill, and want her."
Swiftly he went through the rooms IN
obedience to her desire; but for long
his search was unavailing; and finally
was successful only through an acci-
dent, which at the same time proved
TO him his fears concerning MT. Bar
,.s 10 honu ~round1na ir ~