The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-03-01

Ill
FURIOUS HE sNATCHED THE LET.
TER FROM HER.
your plans?" Again he was silent for
a moment.
Eyes, that is about the way the mat
ter stands" There was long and
painful pause, during which the WON
an seemed to struggle with some pow
erful emotion. She arose and ap
preached him, one hand in the bosom
of her dress, the other clasped until
her nails sank in the flesh.
you told me that you-to try and
get-your mother interested-in her
Grandchild." Her voice was strained
and barely audible.
YES" said he, II think 1 did tell
you that"
"Well?"
81 lied! I took her only to control
you. Ny mother has never seen her;
and" he continued, slowly, never
will, if can prevent it."
"Inhuman wretch" The exclama-
ton was little more than a gasp.
From your standpoint--yes."
"Ah," she whispered, 1.-The infamy!
the infamy Of TT" She hesitated a
moment, turned, and, gliding to the
door with movement of incredible
swiftness, locked it and placed the
key in her pocket. "Now," she said
returning towards him, her face trans
figured by the intensity of her ex-
element, "now, Raymond Holbin
what is the settlement you propose"
He retained his position, half smile
upon his face.
you will have no trouble for the
future" he said; you belong to the
tragic stage"
You trife sir. The settlement
the settlement"
81 propose to marry my mothers
stepdaughter" he said, quietly. "Hel
father is on his last legs, and he vii
bequeath to her all of his property
upon the condition that she accept!
/ me as her husband ON or before hel
twenty-frst birthday. From this
money l propose to provide literally
! for you and your child, with the un
Outstanding that you are to remain
abroad. The fact is, | may RIM ovel
to see you occasionally, Louise-aftel
all, you are the only woman eve1
cared for. This lily bride awaiting m,
is out of my class entirely-high
flown, romantic and inexperienced
Imagine me with such woman
Louise"
He laughed lightly. Really, if yo'
are in search of revenge for fanciet
injuries, you will get it when you pic
ture me in my new role"
"And by this marriage" said tn
woman, standing over him, you plac
it beyond your power to marry me
as you have promised during all thes
years-you abandon your child to
life of Indebtedness" Her breatI
came hard and trembling.
"She need never know-no one nee
know. And where ignorance is bills
it is folly to be otherwise"
LET me hear ii ALL" she said; sic
me know the alternative. If | go t
this mother or to this lily bride, a
you call her, and tell her of my chill
and my wrongs. what them
MY mother would have the ser1
ants put you out of the house, and m
! hr;Jo ,,-o,,lJ ,rohol,I,- bove mn M
out. But it would not avail you any
thing-nor her. Under the will IN
mother would still be the heir. TIL
bride would lose her fortune and he
bridegroom, and you-would lose you
child"
"That is ALP" she asked-"there
nothing more?'
Nothing"
Her mood seemed to change. "Wi
you favor me with cigarette?"
He laughed, evidently relieve
"Why, certainly! Getting into yor
old habits? Fact is. Louise. that
the only natural thing l have hear
from you since / entered. Come, nov
light up and be sensible. You kno
what / think Of you. All will woI
out right, and, as the stories say, "
may be happy vet"
She lit her cigarette by his. an
leaning against the center table, toe
one or two whiffs, letting the smol
escape slowly from between her cur
ing lips.
There is one fatal defect in yol
plan" she said. at length.
ayes? What is that?"
"You-do not leaye-the mother
chance. You forget that / am a moth
as well as a woman"
81 do not understand"
"You viii. though. Either way,
you put Il 20 me. my child's life Is Il
aver blasted; there is the defect"