Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-08-01

FURIOUS HE sNATCHED THE LET
TER FROM HER
your pians7" Again he was silent for
a moment.
Yes. that is about the way the mat
ter stands" There was a hong and
painful pause, during which the wom-
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 ol,eped until
her nails sank in the flesh.
you told me that you-to try and
get~-your mother interested--in her
grandrhild." Her voice was strained
and barely audible.
YES said he, Il think I did tell
you that"
"Well?"
81 lied! took her only 20 control
you. Ny mother has never seen her;
and" he continued. slowly, never
will, II I can prevent it."
"Inhunan wretch" The exclama-
ton was little more than a gasp.
From your standpoint-yes.
"Ah," she whispered. "the intamy!
the infamy Of it," She hesitated a
moment. turned, and, gliding to The
door with a 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'
citement, now, Raymond Holbin
what is the settlement you propose =
He retained his position, a half smile
upon his face.
You will have no trouble for thu
future" he said; won belong to the
tragic stage"
You trihe sir. The settlement
the settlement"
81 propose to marry my mother:
stepdaughter." he said. quietly. He
father is on his last legs, and he vii
bequeath to her all of his property
upon the condition that she accepts
me as her husband on or before hel
twenty-first birthday. From thi:
money | propose to provide liberia ly
for you and your child, with the IN
derstanding that you are to remair
abroad, The fact is, may run over
to see you occasionally, Louise-aftel
all, you are the only woman l evel
cared for This lily bride awaiting mi
is out Of my class entirely gh
flown, romantic and inexperienced
Imagine me with such woman
Louise"
He laughed lightly. Really, if 20,
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 thu
woman. standing over him, you place
it beyond your power TO marry me
as you have promised during all thes,
years-you abandon your child TO
life Of wretchedness." Her breatl
came hard and trembling
"She need never know-no one Nee
know. And where ignorance is bis
II is folly to be otherwise.
LET me hear it ALL" she said; ne
me know the alternative. II ! 90 f.
this mother or to this lily bride, n
you call her, and tell her OF my chill
and my wrongs. what them"
NV mother would have the serv
ants put you out of the house, and m
bride would probably have me pr
out. But il would not avail you any
thing-nor her. Under the will m
mother would still be the heir. TIL
bride would lose her fortune and he
bridegroom and you-would lose you
child"
That is all ?" abe asked-"there
nothing more?"
Nothing"
Her mood seemed TO change. "Wi
you favor me with a ciEarette?"
He laughed. evidently relieved
"Why, certainly! Getting into you
old habits? Fact is, Louise, that
the only natural thing have hear
from you since entered. Come, now
light zap and be sensible. You kno'
what l think of you. All will wor
out right, and, as the stories say, w
may be happy yet"
She lit her cigarette by his, anC
|
one or two whiffs, letting the smok
escape slowly from between her cur'
ing lips.
There Is one fatal defect In you
plan" she said, az length.
yes? What is thatP"
"You-do not leave-the mother
chance. VOW forget that am a motht
as we'll as woman
az do not understand"
"You will, though Either way, {
you put ii TO me, my child's life is 70
ever blasted; there is the defect" II
looked somewhat curiously up in h,
face. The smoke was now comm
from her lips in rapid puffs; she cal
aside the cigarette. "lshall mot assent
The words were mere whisper. 81
continued, with growing emotion
Raymond, | have been your slave
that is ended now. From this momen
, # you live, you shall obey mel"
All liye,"