Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1900-09-13

tmpossibilities. It is hopeless, my girl,
and we'll bury the might have been
in my grave
Hush. Haryey-hush." she entreat-
ed. shudderingly. "Oh, my love, you
must not die! How much, Harvey
how much?"
FIFTY thousand dollarsl" be an
swered, slowly. mot one dollar less
will save me-"
A gray veil of despair clouded her
face.
FIFTY thousand dollars!" ST repeat
ed. cit is hopeless. indeed-unless-
unless-I might again appeal to Grace
"She would have to go to her guard
ian to obtain possession of such an
amount. In some way the truth would
he revealed. No: say goodbye. dear.
Lift up your sweet mouth and let me
kiss your lips once more! Heavens!
that they should belong to another
mani They are not cherry-red, dear,
as they always are. but they're not the
less precious to me because your fear
for me has whitened them. Goodbye,
Helen-good-bye, my love-"
He drew her to her feet: he stopped
and kissed her lips. He turned 10 go.
Convulsively she chung to him.
stay, Harry-stay!" she pleaded.
ooh, God, show me some way to save
hint"
He turned back then and fixed his
burning gaze upon her ashen face.
Your prayer Is answered, Helen"
he said, as If inspired by a sudden
thought. Heaven has sent me It's re-
ply. There Is one way. Will you have
courage to take it?"
"Courage?" she repeated. Have I
ever lacked courage, dear? Will I,
think you, lack 1t in such a moment as
this? Show me the way, Trust me to
follow It,"
He paused a moment; then ne spoke,
each word falling, clear and distinct
upon the silence:
.'Get you husband to sign Grace
H~awthorne's name upon a blank slip
of paper!"
"Hcrvey!" she gasped. ''you would"
He interrupted her with a low, harsh
laugh, and turned away. as If to go.
II told you your courage would fall"
he said.
STAY" she whispered. her hand de-
tanning him. do you not see detection
would be certain?"
at can't say, ma belle, that I do. In
the first place, I'll make it in the form
of a note payable three months from
date. In that time I'll be on my feet
again, and have the funds to meet 1t.
II Motif the worst comes to the worst
lit will only be a confirmation of the
story you told her regarding Mr.. Rey-
nold's weakness. She'll pay the money
and hush the matter up. You heard
him ask her once what she would do IL
he should forge her name. Well, weh
put her to the proof. I don't think
she'll fail. Shall we try her. Helen?
Quickl The suspense is worse than the
certainty of despair"
IT can't think, Harvey" she an
swered, almost In a wall. MY brain is
turning round and round. The room is
growing dark. Give me until o-mor-
row.. Tomorrow. at this hour. come
to me. I will contrive to be alone. I
have had time for thought: time to-
to think how I may obtain this-this
.signature!"
God bless you, Helen!' he murmur-
ed, wringing her hands. Poor girl! /
seem destined to bring you trouble al
ways Until tomorrow, then, ma
belle"
But as he went out from the house,
the tenderness had vanished from his
handsome face. The hard, cruel light
of a pitiless triumph sparkled in his
eyes.
Three months! 1t will give me three
months to act-three months in which
TO win you yet. Grace Hawthorne;
three months in which to induce you to
change your mind. I rather think I
see my way char into forcing you to
alter that i~rrevoeable decision OF yes
terday, Poor Helen. She, too, will
have to submit to fatei"
And so iTciftating. he passed on
down the street.