The Washburn leader., 1901-01-12


the dressing room was open, as well
as that near which we stood.
Courtney was speaking.
"why would you have me do this. "
he was saying, "and only knowing
him this short while? I can't, do 1t,
Maurice, and If brought myself to 1t.
'twould be little use, for these English
men are careful with their purse-strings
that won't bear undoing too often"
Listen to me-" said D'Orville, "and
don't put such a whine into what you
have to say when you answer me. I've
told that must have a thousand be-
fore this day month, and look to you
to get it. If you don't there'll be those
on your trail that, when lift my t1n-
ger, will think no more of sending you
to perdition than I would Of killing a
butterfly" t
"Sure, Maurice, it's hard man you
are. Look here now, beg and pray
of you"
There! stop that! If you were to
hammer at the gates of Heaven with
your prayers until you woke up the
echoes of perdftion, wouldn't alter
what I've said one jot. Get the money
or take the consequences"
"And who are you," the elder burst
out, 'to stand there with the name OF
Heaven so pat on your lips, threaten
| ing me, that's old enough to be your
father-me, that knew you when you
| were a lad and weren't too proud to be
called Maurice Lennon?"
"If you ever call me by that name
again." said the other, It'll throttle
you. I've told you that I've reasons
for dropping it. You've put me in a
passion cnce tonight, and you got of
with your life. Don't upset me again,
because might remember If you were
out of the way I needn't be asking you
for money. I could help myself. If
you don't get it as suggest, couldn't
YOU screw come more out of any OF the
| tcnants?"
'Sure, Maurice, you know I daren't
set foot in my own place beyond, LOT
| fear of bullet from some of the poor
fellows I've racked to keep you going.
I've told Nora all manner of lies about
the way I'm behaving to them, and
I'm getting sick Of it. See, look, why
don't you get this Tremayne to join the
| cause? You've tongue in your head
that would wheedle Old Nick, If you
chose to speak to him fair and CIVIL
though when the temper's on you, It's
little you care what company you're IN.
| Tell him the wrongs our country's sur
fering. and that it's men like him we
want to help us, and, If he likes, that
we can put him in parliament. Be-
sides, look what a pleasure 'twould pe
to you to pluck an Englishman. But
it's black-hearted must be getting to
advise you like this. All! why did you
ever drag me into it at all? Why did
I let you know?"
"There! stop your questions. Its
getting late, and I'm tired. This idea
of yours is worth thinking over; but
shouldn't be the one to persuade him
you must do it. Keep at him, as you
suggest, and dangle the parliamentary
bait in front of his nose. He might
take it, and if he doesn't, you've some-
thing know he will snap att"
"What's that?"
"What's that? Why, where are your
wits? Couldn't you see where his eyes
were all the time Nora was in the
room?"
Mora? What do you mean? She's
the one being left that loves me-. l
won't have you drag her into my mis-
ery-not if it was to save all Ireland!''
sWho is talking of harming her?
say this: Tremanye is madly In love
with her. You've only to encourage
him a little, and he'll tell you so, and
then the rest is easy, and the moneys
| yours for the asking"
$50 you'd have me sell her for a
thousand pounds?"
"Aye! What's the happiness Of a
chit like that compared to the sweets
Of revenge that I've waited for for
all these years? What's she, when
She weighed in the balance against all
Ireland? Once for all, I'm going away
tomorrow. shall come back this day
month, and if you haven't the money,
| I'll ruin you body and soul, and then
Nora will be lef.. to my tender mercies.
Now, go. Don't stand there looking as
if you'd murder met"
There was silence for the space of a
few seconds. Then we heard the door
of the farther room open and close, and
presently the key was turned in the
lock.
I drew Nora away gently to the back
door, and then took her in my arms
and covered her face with kisses, and
I let her know that every word Dor
willie had said with regard to my pas
sion for her was true. But she was
shaken with storm of sobbing that
threatened to bring someone upon us.
and when, at last had soothed hel
into quieter frame Of mind, whis-
pered to her to meet me the next day
at the old place in the wood at noon.
and, as slipped away, could hear
her signing, softly: Oh, the shame OF
it! The shame of it,"
had crept past the lighted window,
when Anguish and Travers Joined me.
We've been watching the windows"
said Anguish, land we could see the
two shadows pass backwards and for
wards. Hugh was for breaking in. But
come along; wait until we get home to
talk"
In a very few minutes we found our
selves once more seated around the
fire. y 8A
Now" said Anguish, "have you any
thing worth telling?" M
told them what had happened, ex-
cept that did not mention that Nora
was to be the security offered for the
loan of thousand pounds. I let them
understand, however, that. in all prob
ability, should be asked to lend such
sum, and we came to the conclusion
that, according as events shaped them
selves, SO should we settle as to wheth-
er I should part with the money or not.
We might, by Withholding 1t. embar-
rass D.Orville to such an extent that