The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-03

q UEIEUN aTUDUUCEU ,
soon the rudy glare shot up from the
surface of a bald crag with sucn
prompt effect that early m oonlIght saw
the trio sculling homeward over the
dimpling ripples of the lake.
Leo was suIlen and silent on the way.
the situation. They had verified his Jest
most unpleasantlys and It mad not
been even left to his efficiency to get
them out of their dilemma
a little breeze sent the waves zap
ping the sands as their boat grounded
Jerome gave an impulsive start
Good GodI What fool have been!
That f1rel The wind is rising, and the
woods are like finder. Leo, do you
want to go back and see that no nalrfn
is done2''
Nonsense: no fear Of it."
So the boat shot out over the qulVer-
ing moonlit space with Jerome alone
It was daybreak before ne was back.
begrimed, with torn shirtsleeves and
1t was only a tribe. after all be
said.
Marcia and LueIla exchanged glanees..
They had seen more than he guessed
through the glass in the observatory
had seen the trail OF low name creep
ing through the underbrush, which ne
had fought single-handed, and knew
the patience with which he had fol-
lowed up his first victory, Watchlng
and waiting. and stamping out the
pursuing D1d1G WHICH CetAA4C III W HsAA@
then from the scattered embers-
That nights work seemed TO give
him a right which he was not long In
asserting.
Leo carried the stamp of Jealous
misery in his face. but he did nothing
nothing, that is, but break out with
one or two bitter protestatlons TO Mar
cia, who was every ones confldant-
II don't have any chance; 1t seems TO
me Jerome is first, last and everything
in our enterprises nowadays. ! can
plan a sail or a walk with her but ne
is at our elbow land the worst OF It all
is, she don't resent his interference
"One would naturally suppose she
would leave that for you to do"
$50 I would IL I had the least en-
enlargement; so I will if you can give
me a hope" with his hungry eyes SO
imploring that Marcia's indignation at
his Observation-Disclosures melted into pity.
Leo, Leot DO you expect a girl like
Luella to hang out her heart like
sign? ~
sBut you are her friend; you might
wen. then. I don't. and doubt if
she knows herself Marcia declared,
impatiently; and looking PACK. tn niat
doubt seemed to resolve itself into the
certainty Of a great mistake commit
ted afterWard.
She did not like to think of the in
tervaI which had witnessed 1ueua' >
wedding, and clouded it with an IN
expected shadow
Those two young men who were
rivals in love were partners in business
also; and, while Jerome's honeymoon
was in its first, sweetest stage the news
reached him that Leo was a fugitive
and a defaulter.
The depth of wonder which had never
been able to reconcile that fact with
TeO's life was Swallowed in Marcia
face again, when the closed eyes oppo-
site flew suddenly open and fixed upon
hers.
1T has all been explained. I had
letter from Leo. He did it out of re-
venge. not from any desire for gain
Do you understand me, Marcia.?
i heart scarcely understand
LET me tell you how it happened
and why am here. It necessitates the
lnwifely confession that there have
been discords between Jerome ana nae;
He was immersed in business, ana /
took the admiration 1 no longer re-
ceived at my husbands hands from
other men.
wen, what have you to say to
that?'
You were never coauette. do
not believe it,
a grateful light broke over the face
which it panied Marcia to see in It's bit
ter change.
ssThen you can still believe in me7
Not without reason, for that aceusa-
toni had it from his nps-was most
face away, then went on: HE accused
me, too, of regretting Leo. The ill-feel-
ing which resulted was still at It's
height when that letter came to me,
struggled in by my maid. Marcia, Leo
did not fly to Canada, as we supposed
He has been in hiding. He wrote to
implore my intervention in his behalf
He wants to return the stolen funds
stolen, he claims, and I believe, when
his mind was unsettled through brood
ing and wretchedness-a in token Of
his good faith he Enclosed the largest
bond I stood with the letter folded
again in my hand. At any other time
what he asked would have been easy;
now I knew 1t would be fuel to Jer-
ONES flame of suspicion / had not
heard him approach, but all at once he
stood before me, demanding to see my
secret missive- 7 refused to show it.
Next moment he had snatched the
sheet with it's Enclosure from my hand
drawn it over the gas-jet and flung it
blazing to the floor: then turned away
saying, What you dare not show, your
husband refuses to readt'"
tOh, Luella., what did you do2''
II could do nothing. I had no proof
left to substantiate my word. Now,
why l came to you. Leo is hidden with
in three miles of this place, in a niser-
able cabin in the marshes, so preyed
upon by remorse that he is ready for
any desperate act We must go TO him.
if only to keep him from rashly betray-
ing himself. Go alone, and at once
Half dazed, Marcia made her hasty
preparations. A heavier sultriness than
before seemed to pervade the air as
they entered the light skiff which lay
rocking at the little pier, and a thin
haze had spread itself over the clear
summer sky Luella's slim, strongly
nerved hands were on the oars.
How strange things scent" said she.
II am afraid there will be a storm
Had we not better waltz"
Wait! would smother. Time enough
to sit down and look my fate in the
face when there is nothing left for me
to do
Mareia's heart-strfngs quivered IN