Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-05-16
CHAPTER IV.-CoNTINUED.

Sl1AI LEN lN lN.-IONIlNDED.
The woman gasped and pressed her
hand to her throat, but with a des-
perate effort she controlled herself.
"Where is she?"
He hesitated while he studied the
blue smoke curling up from the ciga-
rette. Shaking off the ashes, he said,
at length:
"I have her in good hands" Their
eyes met.
"And you mean for me to under
stand, l suppose, that you will retain
possession of her until 1 assent to
your plans?" Again he was silent for
a moment.
"Yes, that is about the way the mat
ter stands" There was a long 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 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 I did tell
you that"
'"Well?"
"'I lied! I took her only to control
you. My mother has never seen her;
and" he continued, slowly, never
will, if / can prevent it,"
"Inhuman wretch!" The exclama-
zion was little more than gasp.
From your standpoint-yes."
"Ah," she whispered, "the infamy!
che infamy of it," 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-
Sitement, "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!
che settlement"
II propose to marry my mothers
&tepdaughter," 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-frst birthday. From this
oney l propose to provide literally
Sr you and your child, with the un-
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 l ever
cared for. This lily bride awaiting me
is out of my class entirely-high-
flown, romantic and inexperienced.
Imagine me with such a woman,
Louise"
He laughed lightly. "Really, if you
are in search of revenge for fancied
Injuries, you will get it when you pic
<ure me in my new role"
"And by this marriage" said the
woman, standing over him, "you place
1t beyond your power to marry me,
as you have promised during all these
years-you abandon your child to a
&ife of wretchedness." Her breath
came hard and trembling.
'-She need never know-no one need
know. And where ignorance is bliss
It is folly to be otherwise"
"Let me hear it 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 all?" she asked-"there is
nothing more?"
Nothing"
Her mood seemed to change evil
you favor me with cigarette"
He laughed, evidently relieved
"Why, certainly! Getting into your
old habits? Fact is, Louise, that is
the only natural thing 1 have heard
from you since I entered. Come, now
light up and be sensible. You know
what l think of you. All will work
out right, and, as the stories say, we
may be happy yet"