The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-09-07
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The STURGIS WAGER I
A DETECTIVE STORY.
BY EDGAR NOR ETTE
Copyright, 1899. by Frederick A. Stokes Co

will be good enough to explain as
briefly as possible your object in fore
ing your presence upon me in this UNI
gentlemanly way?"
81 suppose my conduct does strike
you as ungentlemanly," said the
youngman, piteously; but what could,
do? l love you devotedly, madly,
and you will not allow me even to
tell you so. You instruct your serv-
ants to turn me away from the door
like n beggar. Is it a crime TO love
you?"
"No, Mr.. Chatham" said the girl,
more gently, ut is not crime to love
q woman; but it is a6 least n serious
blunder to adopt the method you have
selected of showing your affection,
and it is certainly not generous to
force 1t upon her as you are doing"
"What else can ] do?" he repeated,
doggedly. "Here am l suddenly
Obliged TO leave New York for long
time-perhaps forever-and unable to
get a single word with you. / called
yesterday morning and was informed
that you were at that artist fellows
studio. Then l wrote you letter,
asking for an interview, and / left it
there for you myself. The only notice
you took of it was to give instructions
20 your butler not to admit me If l
called again. / cannot GO away like
that, without ray ot hope to Tighten
my exile and to leave you here sur
rounded by a lot of men who are
anxious 10 marry you"
The tender-hearted girl felt a grow,
ing pity for the awkward and vulgar
young man in whom she began vague
ly to discern o genuine suffering.
81 am sorry, Mr.. Chatham she
said, "mcre sorry than | can say
But what can J do? l do not care
for you in the way you wish, and af-
lection S not to be coerced. l have
done the best | could to discourage
you. because"
81 know you have" interrupted
Chatham; you have avoided me, and
snubbed me, ard taken every way you
could to show that you do not like
me-"
at would have been mistaken kind
ness to do otherwise said Agnes,
gently.
"No, it wouldn't" exclaimed the ac-
countant; 81 don't ask you to love
me; not at once. at any rate. But
give me a show; give me time; give
me a little hope"
81 cannot do that" said the girl, in
a low tone.
"NVhy can't you?" urged the young
man eXcitedly. II have sacrificed ev-
erything for you; have given up all
had; l have lost my position; have
rislSed my life"
81 don't understand you" said Miss
Murdoch, looking at him in astonish
msnt.
"Your father would" he replied,
huskily; 1T 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 a table near which he
stood, and with an evident effort re-
pressed the oath which rose to his lips
Miss Murdoch, startled and bewidered
observed him in speechless amazement.
After momentary struggle, the ae-
countant suddenly broke forth in pite-
GUS pleading:
81 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
elsS"
The young girl tried hard to avoid
his arden! gazi. tr.''-
"say it!' he commanded, in sudden
sternness;
z Agnes dlew herself up proudly then.
II don't know by what right you PFe-
sume to catechise or to command me-"
she said, coldly, at the.same time maxi
ing 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 il, is il ?" he
exclaimed, with passionate jealousy.
"You are-in loye-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 yividness, and, as he
clutched systematically at his collar, a
wild light came into his eyes.
Agnes caught their mad glitter and
shrank back in sudden terror.
81 have been duped!"' he shouted.
frantically. 81 have been 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? Wen see about that;
well see what your father has to say.
But, at any rate, you can he sure Of one
thing"
His voice sank to a hoars, whisper
and the words fell with impressive dis
tinctness;
"If don't marry you, no one ever
SHALL"