Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1900-10-25

cit would have been mistaken kind
ness to do otherwise" said Agnes
| gently.
mo, it wouldn't" exclaimed the &C
countant; II don't ask you to love
me; not at once, at any rate. But
give me show; give me time; give
me a little hope"
II cannot do that" said the girl, in
a low tone.
"Why can't your" urged the young
man excitedly. 81 have sacrificed ev'
| erything for you; have given up all
had; I have lost my position; have
risked my life"
II don't understand you" said Miss
| Murdoch, looking at him in astonish'
ment.
"Your father would" he replied
huskily; sit was he egged me on to
this; he promised me that you would
| have me"
"My father promised
"Yes, your father; and, by c.
Chatham, who was growing more and
| more excited, brought down his
clenched fist upon table near which nc
stood, and with an evident effort re-
| pressed the oath which rose to his lips
| Miss Murdoch. startled and bewildered
| observed him in speeches. amazement
After a momentary struggle. the ac'
countant suddenly broke forth In pite'
| GUS pleading:
II don't ask much now. Tell me only
one thing and I shall go away content
| for the present. Say that no other man
has any better chance with yon than
have. Say that you do not love anyone
else"
The young girl tried hard to avoid
his ardent gaze.
"Say It'll" he commanded, in sudde1
| sternness.
Agnes drew herself up proudly then
II don't know by what right you pre-
sumo to catechise or to command me-
she said, coldly, at the same time max
ing a motion as if to touch the button
of the electric bell.
Chatham saw the motion and sprang
before her to intercept it.
"Ah! that is the way of it, is it?' 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 nc
clutched systematically at his collar, q
wild light came into his eyes.
Agnes caught their mad glitter and
shrank back in sudden terror.
Il have been duped!" he shouted.
frantically. 81 have been cat's-paw,
and now that have done all that waa
wanted of me l am to be turned OF
like dog, with kick. The dirty work
is done, is il? We'll sec 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 hoarse whisper
and the words fell with impressive dis
tinctness:
IF l don't marry you, no one ever
SHALL"
AS he spoke he leaned forward upon
the table which stood near him, and
his fingers closed nervously upon the
handle of a jewe,ed paper knife. There
was murder in hts eye at that moment,
and the frightened girl quailed be-
fore it.
Suddenly her ear caught the sound o.
footsteps in the hallway. She opened
her lips to cal. for help, but before she
could utter sound the door opened, re-
vealing 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 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 1 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, effusive.y, coming toward
him with outstretcned hands; II am
so glad to see YOU" And then, observ-
ing his inquiring glance toward
Chatham, Il Think she added, cold
ly, chat this gentleman has said all
that he has to say to me-"
Chatham's excitement had subsidized;
in the reaction, he seemed i'll and
weak and he nervously clenched his
tremulous right hand.
81 will wait to see DR.. MURDOCH
he said, doggedly, in low voice.
Gas you please replied Agnes, aft.
er slight hesitation. Mary. show
Mr.. Chatham to the doctors study"
AS the accountant followed the seIv-
ant from the room, blank despair ~as
stamped in every feature, and it
seemed to sprague, as the door closed.
that he heard something like q 49,
vulsive sob.
ITO Be Centizasl.l