Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-08-10
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that.
Il Shall not marry him, father, that
is certain. You don't need to try to
urge me. You are my father, and l
owe you affection and obedience; but
not in such matter as that OF selling
myself to man despise and dis
trust. Yes, that is what l do. didn't
think why you brought him to New
kslso. II you had seen him strike
Sam today But there, what is the
use of speaking?' she added quickly.
II have given you my answer, dad,
as gave it to Mr.. Moore himself to-
day. Did he not tell you?"
s. Instead Of answering directly, her
father strobe to her side, seized her
arm and, holding it in such grasp
Of iron that it almost wrung cry
from her lips, whispered in her ear:
you'll have to marry him, or see
your father ruined and disgraced!
Bluebell, I 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 veldt home
less and penniless."
Bluebell turned her face toward him.
It had grown very pale, and her eyes
glowed. Words of Adair Rothes kept
ringing in her ears: Beware of that
man, he is dangerous!"
'You mean," she said, slowly, in a
changed voice, all the girlish defiance
and brightness gone out of it, that
you are in that mans power"
live been foolish lately, Blue
bell, l confess it. I've been speculat-
ing and lost. I got into Moore's power
up at Maritzburg. There's worse than
Eve told you. Moore holds bill-a
bill that would disgrace me forever,
would"-his voice sank-''put me in
prison"
Bluebell gave a low cry, shrinking
from her fathers touch, and covered
her face with her hands.
1T was-L was not quite accountable
for it," said Mr.. Leslie in hoarse whis-
per. Il had been taking too much.
But it's done, Bluebell, and can't be
undone. You must save me. On the
day that you marry him Gerald Moore
will give that paper over into my
hands to be destroyed. '..'"
Bluebelrs hands dropped from her
face and she looked up at him.
80. to save you from the conse-
quences of your crime she said slow
ly, you would make me give myself
up to this unscrupulous vii
LANA william even according
to your own showing! You
will be saved, but what of me? I am
to be sacrificed to a life worse than
death, life with man fear and des-
pise and dishonor, who-yes, am sure
of it-does not love me, but wishes for
some purpose to get me, as we'll as you,
into his clutches. Did it never strike
you as being rather cowardly thing
to do, dad?"
There was strange bitterness in her
voice-a bitterness that had never been
heard in Bluebell Leslie's blithe, clear
young voice in all her life before. The
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the next moment he seized her arm
again.
Il am your father, and have right
to demand this of you!" he exclaimed
hoarsely. will you see your father
dragged to prison and your aunt and
yourself turned out on the yeldt, ruin
ed and disgraced, to be shot by the
Beers, or to die of starvation? Answer
me that"
II cannot answer you now. Let me
go to my room," said Bluebell in low
voice. II beg your pardon, dad, for
having spoken to you as did just
now. l should not have done it, But
I 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 ha COnfinue6