The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-09-25
CHAPTER NIII-Continued.

that had been taken for our interview
by Colonel Pelham. When | entered |
found the gaunt, military-looklng oid
gentleman looking more gaunt and
military than ever, and pacing the
room with his arms folded across his
breast He made the slightest bow,
which returned, and took my stand at
the fireplace. He continued his walk
in silence until he had reached the
other end of the room, then. swinging
suddenly round, in firm, slow tones he
said:
AT our last interview, Doctor Rigby.
you told me that you had done nothing
that could be called dshonorable."
Nor have |, sir" | replied, en-
phatically.
Nothing to place yourself within
the reach of the law-the criminal
law"
"A man may place himself within
reach of the law without acting dis
honorably, sir"
And may he, by your code, under
those circumstances, continue an en-
gagement that will end by placing in
like terrible position young girl upon
whom no harsh wind has ever blown,
and still be honorable?"
dropped into the chair beside me and
covered my face w.Ln my hands. rs
there no road of escape, no hope for
me?"
"As far as your engagement with my
daughter goes, it is my duty to tell
you there is none, Doctor Rigby."
Colonel Pelham. do you know what
you are doing? This woman-do you
believe her word in preference to
mine?'
"You have admitted being within
reach of the criminal law, and this
woman has sworn that the day you
marry my daughter shall be your last
Of liberty and my daughters last OF
happiness. Under these circum-
stances. Doctor Rigby, | ask you, am
| justified in allowing your engage
ment to continue?
sprang to my feet
But, Colonel Pelham, you are gen.
tleman, you are man OF honor. Wail
you not allow me to tell you my story
of this woman and her villainies?
81 will reply to your questions, Doc
tor Rigby if you will first answer one
of mine. namely; Has this woman this
hold over you? Could she, If 1t SO
pleased her, deprive you Of your lib
erty. and my daughter. II she were
married to you. of her happiness?
In a. moment | saw what was ex-
pected of me. BY yes or motor
that was the kind of reply he looked
for-I was to pass sentence on myseit.
And yet no such reply was possible.
The man standing there-my Judge
the man in whose hands my rate
rested, was a soldier, man OF action
and my story was matter OF detail
The answer could not possibly convey
any idea of the nature of the case TO
him, and yet such was the answer ne
expected, and | knew he would admit
no other.
Colonel Pelham" said, when you
ask me if this woman has or has not
the hold over me she processes TO
have. | can only reply by saying that
she has. and she has not in the eyes
of God"
doctor Rigby. | must remind you
that have asked you plain, straight
forward question. to which | require
you to give a plain. straightforward
answer. This interview. which must
of necessity be painful to both of us,
has already lasted too long. 1t can
only be shortened by you giving me
such an answer as | asked for. re-
peat this question: Has this woman,
or has she not, this hold over you?
In utter desperation, | groaned:
"She has, but-but-"
Doctor Rigby," said Colonel Pei
ham, taking up his hat, mo number OF
butts will alter matters. Somehow, in
nv heart believe and feel that you
have been made the victim of this
woman. You will believe me, | am
extremely sorry for you. My inter-
view with her this morning showed
me a phase of female character which
| with my somewhat wide experience
of the sex, was utterly ignorant of, but
my pity and sorrow for you do not al
ter facts. | should be unworthy of my
position, as Edth's father, if | allowed
her to follow her woman's instincts
and share your calamity"
Edith. Edith" for it was she.
what are you doing here? This is no
time or place for you; you must leave
us at once"
81 came" she said. because | know
you saw that dreadful woman this
morning, and when Allan did not
come, and you had gone to meet the
train, | was certain some dreadful
thing had happened"
We'll, well" said the old gentleman,
hurriedly, lest should speak first.
Some dreadful thing has happened,
but will tell you all about it present
ly. For the present you must leave
U.S." He had walked across the room
and taken her gently by the arm, that
he might lead her to the door.
In a moment the old soldiers blood
awoke in the daughter. She quietly
disengaged herself and as quietly
asked. Sam I then tn have no voice