The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-09-15
impcssibilities. It is hopeless. my girl,
and we'll bury the might have been

| impcssibilities. It Is hopeless. my girl.
and we'll bury the might have been
in my grave"
"Hueh, Harvey-hush!" she entreat-
ed, shudderingly. ooh, my love. you
must not die! How much, Harvey
how much?"
"Fifty thousand dollars!" he 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 trace"
"She would have to go to her guard
ian to obtain possession Of such an
amount. In some way the truth would
be 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
man! 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 rect; he stopped
| and kissed her lips. He turned to go.
Convulsively she chung to him.
'Stay, H~arry-stay!". she pleaded.
ooh, God, show me some way to save
him!"
He turned back then and fixed his
burning gaze upon her ashen face.
"Your prayer. is answered, Helen"
he said, as If inspired by q sudden
thought. Heaven has sent me it's re-
ply. There is one way. Will you have
courage,to take it,"
"Courage?" she repeated. "Eave I
ever lacked courage, dear? VIII 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 he spoke.
each word falling, clear and distinct
upon the silence:
"Get you husband to sign Grace
Hawthorne's name upon a blank slip
Of paper!"
"Hervey!" she gasped, "you would
He interrupted her with a low. harsh
laugh, and turned away. as If to go.
IT told you your courage would fall"
he said. ~.
"stay!" she whispered, her hand de-
tanning him. do you not see detection
would be certain?"
ST can't say, ma belle, that I do. In
the first place, I'll make 1t 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.
If Motif the worst comes to the worst
1T 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 II
he should forge her name. Well. well
put her to the proof. I don't think
she'll fail. Shall we try her, Helen!
Quick! The suspense is worse than the
certainty Of despair!"
1T 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 to-mor.
row Tomorrow. at this hour. come
to me. I will contrive to be alone. ]
have had time for thought; time to-
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" 4
But as he went out from the house
the tenderness had vanished from his
handsome face.[ The hard, cruel light
ofDa pitiless triumph sparkled in his
eyes.
Three months! It will give me three
months to act-three months in which
to win you yet, Grace Hawthorne;
three months in which to induce you tc
change your mind. I rather think
see my way clear into forcing you to
alter that irrevocable decision Of yes
terday! Poor Helen! She, too. will
have to submit to fate!"
And so meditating, he passed on
down the street.