Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-06-22

too hardy and independent life for
that.
u shall not marry him. father. tha.
Is certain. You don't need to try to
urge me. You are my father. and
owe you affection and obedience: but
not In such matter as that OF selling
myself To man ! des1ise and dis
trust. Yes. that Is what I do. I didn't
think why you brought him to New
keiso. II you had seen him strike
Sam today hut there. what is the
use OF speaklns.' she added quickly.
u have given you my answer. dad.
as ! gave ii to Mr.. Moore himself TO-
day. Did he not tell your
Instead OF answering directly. her
father strode To her side. seized her
arm and. holding II In such a grasp
OF iron that IL almost wruns cry
from her lips. whispered In her ear:
You'll have to marry him. or see
your father ruined and dissraeed.
Bluebeii. tell you I'm in Gerald
Moore's power. At any moment he
can sell me up. take every stick I've
got. and turn us out on the veidt home
less and penniiess.'
Bluebeli turned her face toward him.
II had grown very pale. and her eyes
slowed. Words Of Adnir Rothes kept
rinsin. In her ears: beware Of that
man. he Is danserous!"
You mcan." she said. slowly, In n
changed voice. all the giriish defiance
and brightness gone out Of II. that
you are In that mans power"
live been foolish lately. Blue
bell. confchs II. I've been spccuint-
Ing and lost. got into Moorc's power
up Mt Maritrbur.. There's worse than
I've told you. Moore holds n biil-a
bill that would disgrace me forever.
would'-his voice sank-"put me In
prison
Bluebcii gave low cry. shrinking
from her fathers touch. and covered
her face with her hands.
1T waH-i was not quite accountable
for IT," said Mr.. Leslie In hoarsc whis-
per. ii had been taking too much.
But It's done. Biucbcli. and can't be
undonc. You must save me. On the
day that you marry him Gerald Moore
will give that paper over into my
hands to be destroyed.
Blucbcil's hands dropped from her
face and she looked up at him.
so. to save you from the conse-
qucnccs Of your crime" she said slow
ly. you would make me give myself
up to this interruptions VII
LANA william even according
to your own showing! You
will be saved. but what Of me! am
to be sacrificed to life worse than
| death. life with man fear and dcs-
pise and dishonor. who-ycs. I am sure
| of it-docs not love me. but wishes for
some purpose to get me. rs well rs you.
into his clutches. Did Il never strike
you MS being rather a cowardly thing
to do. dad7"
There was n strange bitterness In her
voice-a bitterness that hnd never been
heard In Bluebell Leslie's blithe. clear
young voice In all her life before. The
wretchcd man felt II and WINGED: but
the next moment he seized her arm
| again.
II am your father. and have right
to demand this OF you!" he exclaimed
hoarsely. "wiil you see your father
uraSSeu " ptisoh anu soo' A"hs "'e
yourself turned out on the veldt. ruin
ed and disgraced. to be shot by the
Beers. or to die OF starvation? Answer
me that!"
IL cannot answer you now. Let me
go to my ROOM" said Bluebell In low
voice. Il beg your pardon. dad. for
having spoken to you rs l did Just
| now. l should not have done II. But
| do not think anything would Justify
me in marrying him."
Before he could stop her she had
slipped from the room and gone up to
| her own. Miss Elizabeth had been
waiting for her. and now came to the
door.
ITO be Continued.)