The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-09-13

countant suddenly broke forth in pite-
GUS pleading:
Il don't ask much now. Tell me only
one thing and | shall go away content
for the present. Say that no other man
has any better chance with you than |
have. Say that you do not love anyone
else
The young girl tried hard to avoid
his ardent gaze.
Say it, h@ commanded, in sudden
sternness.
Agnes drew herself up proudly then.
Il don't know by what right you pre-
sumo to catechse or to command me-"
she said. coIdly, at the same time mak-
ing motion as if to touch the button
q the electric bell.
Chatham saw the motion and sprang
before her to intercept it.
'Ah! that is the way of it, is y" he
exclaimed, with passionate jealousy.
you are-in love-with another mani"
The words seemed to choke him in
the utterance. The blood rushed to his
head; the veins on his temples stood
out in purple vividness, and, as he
clutched spasmodicaily at his collar,
wild light came into his eyes.
Agnes caught their mad glitter and
shrank back in sudden terror.
Il have been duped" he 81 outed,
frantically. Il have been a cat's-paw,
and now that have done all that was
wanted of me | am to be turned off
like dog, with a kick. The dirty work
is done is it? Well see about that;
we'll see what your father has to say.
But, at any rate, you can be sure of one
thing"
His voice sank to a hoarse whisper
and the words fell with impressive dis
tinctness:
IF | don't marry you, no one ever
shalt"
AS he spoke he leaned forward upon
the table which stood near him, and
his fingers closed neryously upon the
handle of a jeweled paper knife. There
was murder in his eye at that moment,
and the frightened girl quailed be-
fore it.
Suddenly her ear caught the sound OF
footsteps in the hallway. She opened
her lips to cal! for help, but before she
could utter sound the door opened. re-
yealing the anxious face of the house
maid, who had heard enough to realize
that it was time to interrupt the tete-
a-tete without further ceremony.
Mr.. Sprague, miss" she an
nounced. with a comforting nod at her
Young mistress, whose pale face and
frightened eyes had not escaped her at
tention.
Sprague stood on the threshold in
evident embarrassment, looking from
Agnes TO Chatham, and uncertain how
to act.
81 fear | am intruding, Miss Muir
dock" he said at last; your maid
told me she thought you could re-
ceive me. Perhaps | would better call
again
NO, no, Mr.. Sprague,' replied the
young girl. etfusively. coming toward
him with outstretched hands; Il am
so glad to see you And then, observ.
ing his inquiring glance toward
Chatham, Il think" she added, cold
ly, that this gentleman has said all
that he has to say to me"
Chatham's excitement had subsidized;
in the reaction, he seemed III and
weak and he nervously clenchcd his
trenulous right hand.
81 viii wait to see DR.. Murdock,"
he said, doggcdly, in IA low voice
"As YOU please" replied Agnes, aft
err a slight hesitation. "Mary, show
Mr.. Chatham to the doctors study"
rs Che accountant followed the ses;-
an. from the room blank despair was
stamped in every feature, and it
scered TO Spraguc, "a the door closed,
that he heard something like n con-
yuIaiye sob.
Cneonsciously Agnes had clung to
Spraguo's hand Now. as the sense of
danger disappeared, she became
aware of what she was doing; and, in
sudden embarrassment she with.
crew her hand from his reassuring
clasp.
The artist, recalling the object of
his visit, at once became grave and
formal
II am sorry to intrude upon you at
this unconventional hour Miss Muir
dock, but | found this letter in my
studio to-day 1t was evidently
dropped by you yesterday; and,
thinking il might be important. T."
"A letter? What letter?" asked
Agnes, puzzled.
Spraguc held out the sealed cnvcl-
ope. The young girl tore it open and
east a hurried glance at its contents.
ThcH suddenly understandings she
tore the paper to shreds and threw
these angriiy into the fire which
burned brightly in the large open
fireplace
"Oh that" She exclaimed. con
temptuously And then after pause:
do YOU mean to say sou thought"