Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-03-15

propose 10 marry my mOtneTS
stspdaughter." he said, quietly. Her
father is on his last legs, and he will
bequeath to her all of his property
upon the condition that she accepts
me as her husband on or before her
twenty-first birthday. From this
money I propose to provide literally
for you and your child, with the UNI
derstanding that you are to remain
abroad. The fact is, may run over
to see you occasionally, Louise-after
all, you are the only woman I ever
cared for. This lily bride awaiting me
Is out Of my class entirely-high-
flown, romantic and inexperienced.
Imagine me with such woman,
Louise"
He laughed lightly Really. if you
are in search OF revenge for fancied
injuries, you will get it when you pic
ture me in my new role"
and by this marriage" said the
woman, standing over him, you place
it beyond your power to marry me,
as you have promised during all these
years-you abandon your child to a
life Of wretchedness." Her breath
came hard and trembling.
"She need never know-no one need
know. And where ignorance is bliss
1t is folly to be otherwise"
Let me hear 1T ALL" she said "let
me know the alternative. If I go to
this mother or to this lily bride, as
you call her, and tell her of my child
and my wrongs, what then?"
my mother would have the serv-
ants put you out of the house. and my
bride would probably have me put
out. But it would not avail you any,
thing-nor her. Under the will my
mother would still be the heir. The
bride would lose her fortune and her
bridegroom, and you-would lose your
child"
THAT Is ALP" she asked-"there ia
nothing more?"
Nothing"
| Her mood seemed to change. "Will
You favor me with a cigarette?"
BE laughed, evidently relieved.
why. certainly! Getting into your
old habits? Fact is, Louise, that is
the only natural thing I have heard
from you since I entered. Come, now.
light up and be sensible. You know
what I think of you. All will work
out right, and, as the stories say, we
may be happy yet"
She lit her cigarette by his, and,
leaning against the center table, took
one or two whiffs, letting the smoke
escape slowly from between her curv-
ing lips.
There is one fatal defect in your
plan," she said, at length.
"Yes? What is that?"
"You-do not leave-the mother a
chance. You forget that am mother
Is we'll as q woman"
II do not understand"
"You will, though. Either way, as
you put it to me, my child's life is for
ever blasted; there is the defect" He
looked somewhat curiously up in her
face. The smoke was now coming
from her lips in rapid puffs; she cast
aside the cigarette. "Ishallnotassent."
The words were mere whisper. She
continued. with growing emotion:
Raymond, l have been your slave;
that is ended now. From this moment,
il you live, you shall obey mel"
If live!"
III you live! Do you suppose that
am to stand by and see my child's life
destroyed by you! 1 have listened 70
your excuses; have temporized, hop
ing against hope that you would make
good your promises; I have accepted
your explanation for my child's sake
and to-day know you have lived lie
through it all; that you had not then,
nor ever have had, any intention to
make me your wife. The time has come
for me- to act. Sit here by this table
and address a note to the clerk of the
hotel directing him to register Ray
mond Holbin and wife in room PSI Here
is pen, ink and paper!"
Are you insane?" he cried, rising,
angry and amazed.
kill you" Then she deliberately leveled
pistol at him. 'Sit down and writei
leave this room with an acknowl-
edgment from you in the hands of a
witness, wife-or murderess. did
it once, Raymond; can do it again. ]
killed man for you last night" AS
she uttered this confession her face
grew pale as death. the pistol was low.
cred, and she stood shivering in abiect
terror. You have not heard Of it p
she whispered. Are not the papers
full Of it?" Her form, which had beer
erect, seemed to shrink; she looked
over her shoulder towards the door,
listening. The man strobe forward and
wrenohed the weapon from her cold
hand. Then he forced her into chair.
"Leuissl Louise!" he groaned; and
then in awe he said: "Insane!" She
made no resistance. A tide of memories
had swept over the new issues.
me" she moaned, mot yet. WoulN
to God were! You do not believe me,
Raymond. Listen. found out where
you were stopping in the city. found
the street and number. i had de-
termined to go in and bring the horrid
uncertainty to an end, for you had not
answered my lettsr-you had not
come!"
But you did not 60 int" he said, ter.
rifed. Surely, you did not"
mo. I walked by again and again
went around to the side street and
looked into the garden; bat said: !
will see him first; Raymond cannot
mean to be SO BASEL Still you did not
come. Will you believe it. I went back
at night, hoping to see YOU? l could
not stay here alone in this ROOM
slipped out! Two men entered that
gate, and one of them 4 would have