The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-05-25

now, raymond Holbin,
what Is the settlement you propose p
lie retained his position. a half smile
upon his face.
You will have no trouble for the
future" he said; "you belong to the
tragic stage
You triie sir. The settlement
the settlement"
- propose 10 marry my mothers
stepdaughter." he said. quietly. Her
father is on his last legs, and he will
pequeath 10 her all OF his property
upon the condition that she accepts
me as her husband on or before her
twenty-frst birthday. From this
money | propose to provide literally
Tor you and your child, with the un-
derstanding that you are 10 remain
abroad. The fact is, / may run over
to see you occasionally. Louise--after
all, you are the only woman ever
cared for. This lily bride awaiting me
is out of my class entirely-high-
hown, romantic and inexperienced.
Imagine me with such a woman,
Louise"
lie laughed lightly. Really, if you
are in search OF revenge for fancied
Injuries, you will get it when yon pic
ture me in my new role"
"And by this marriage" said the
woman, standing over him, you place
IL beyond your power 10 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
IL is folly 10 be otherwise
Let me hear II ALL" she said; "let
me know the alternative If | go 10
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 alI?" she asked-~there is
nothing more?"
Nothing.
Her mood seemed 20 change, "Wil
you favor me with a cigarette?"
lie laughed, evidently relieved.
"Why, certainly! Getting into your
old habits? Fact is. Louise, that is
the only natural thing | have heard
from you since | entered. Come now
light up and be sensible. You know
what ! 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
'1es? What IS that?"
"You-do not eaye-the mother a
chance. You forget that am a mother
DIS well as a woman
al do not understand"
"You Will. though. Either way. as
YOU put it TO me. my chid's life = for
ever blasted; there is the defect" lie
locked somewhat curiously up in her
face The smoke was now coming
from her ip, ~ rapid puffs she east
osidethe cigarette. Ishallnotassent."
The words were a mere whisper. She
continued. with growing emotions:
Raymond. / have been your slave;
that Is ended now. From this moment,
IL you live, you shall obey mel"
If live!"
"If you livel DO you suppose that !
am to stand by and see my chid's life
destroyed by you! ] have listened 10
your excuses; have temporized, hop
ing against hope that you would make
good your promises; ] have accepted
your explanation for my child's sake
land to-day know you have lived lie
through II all; that you had not then,
nor ever have had. any intention TO
make me your wife. The time has come
for me 10 act. Sit here by this table
and address note TO the clerk Of the
hotel directing him 10 register Ray
mond Holbin and wife in room %! Here
is pen, ink and paperl"
"Are YOU insane?" he cried. rising,
angry and amazed.
"Yes; totally sol Insane enough to
kill YOU" Then She deliberately leveled
pistol at him. "Sit down and writel
| leave this room with an acknowl-
edgment from you in the hands Of a
witness, wife-or murderess. did
il once. Raymond; ! can do IL again.
killed man for you last night As
she uttered this confession her face
grew pale ms death, the pistol was low
cred. and she stood shivering in AFFECT
terror. "You have not heard OF itT'
she whispered Are not the papers
full OF it?" Her form. which had been
erect. seemed TO shrink; she looked
over her shoulder towards the door,
listening. The man strobe forward and
wrenched the weapon from her cold
hand. Then he forced her into chair.
"Louisel Louisel" he groaned; and
then i'm awe he said: "Insanel" She