The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-16

gled with chagrin. For moment his face
worked, but he composed 1T. : Ill
You will not tell,'' he said. 1T will not
be wise to tell .5.t t<r~, =. <
She, answered nothing. but. she looked the
question "Why?" Il.
svely your brother would insist on fight
ing me-, -
She famed on him with glorious contempt.
"Coward!' she said and stood painting.
Self-preservation, he answered calmly.
"Self! self!' she retorted on him.
"But you understand he said. He saw
her shrink as she felt his hold upon her.
$50 you will not tell. And understand, when
we meet in public it will not be expedient
for you to break with me; else George would
inquire why -.
u have rejected you,'' she said, her bosom
heaving.
Her beauty smote him. and for an instant
he clenched his teeth as he realized his de-
feat. Then he rejoined: -
Not So for it does not please me to have
it so. l shall attend you as before. George
might otherwise think that we had quar-
relied and feel-insulted."
He watched to see her shrink again. But
the shock had passed. She stood imn1aya:ble
splendid in grace and with eyes that burned
He spoke again:
And you are not to leave this place for
London; that would not suit me- And If
you do, / shall give out that I have Tilted
you, at which George would be angry. Do
you understand?'
Il understand" she said, both your words
and YOU
There was no submission in her Gentle as
he had believed her, her courage was a sur
prise, and ;he began to realize her reserve
of force.
'"You agree?' he asked.
"You shall he punished she returned.
Even as he had stood debating terms, his
anger, like the lava, had been working into
liquid heat and swelling to an overflow. His
was primal nature veneered with manner
! restrained by public force, but brutal at the
bottom and to hurt he knew but a single
answer-revenge He had meant to over
awe and conquer Alice. But now she defed
nay, she threatened. Fury seized him.
No man that had ever bearded him had
| failed to meet death at his swords point
Should he spare a woman? The issue here
was more than mere insult. 1t was his
life-his way of 1ife-or hers; for he saw
resolution in her face; he knew the signs Of
courage we'll. He never could persuade her
now; she was against him forever. To save
her brother she would wait long, but soon
or late Sotheran would be exposed And
then he saw an outcast, compelled to leave
his country, and as adventurer or a soldier
in a foreign army, living to an exile's end.
Never would he give up Suddenly he turned,
took one stride to the door and closed it.
' Chapter vi.
L. IN COLD BLOOD.
| Alice faced the captain. He was calm now,
but pale, and with eyes aglean. Even in her
agitation she noticed their strange light. 1t
| was cold, like the unwinkirg scrutiny Of that
! panther which she had met once when with
| Frank in the woods.
| "Alice," he said. His voice was strained,
and she saw him moisten his dry lips.
Captain Sotheran,"' she answered, "pray
stand aside and let me leave the, room"
"Let us staY7h here" he said
| She caught at the bell rope and pulled it
strongly, gazing at him without further
words. y. ..
! 1t was Christine who came from the kitchen.
Sotheran let her in and shut the door be-
hind her. 81 :--.-
Christine, said Alice, "Mr.. Ellery is, in
/ his room. Will you ask him to step here at
| once?" .-,-~ IL,
| Christine Surned.: "stay'' said Sotheran
| The servant looked at him. In her eyes
was fear; she knew he was the master Of he1
| fate. Dared she, some time. but plead to
| him!" az :....
'w1ho is in the kitchen?" he asked.
Ann and Tabb"
| mo one else?"
mo, SIR"
| wish to marry Tabb?'
| Hope leaped to her eyes. Since the know
| ledge of the consequences Of her disgrace. had
she not begged Tabb constantly? Lively to
| please him, affectionate to soften him, pteous
to touch him tab, her ineffective artsD, she
| had but learned that his master swayed him.
| "Oh, sir!" she gasped.
| DO not go to Mr.. Ellery," he directed.
| Return to the kitchen. Toll Tabb not to
| allow the old woman to answer the BELL
The maid looked at Alice, hesitating.
Co." commanded Sotheran. 'You shall
marry Tabb.'' ..-. :
| He opened the door. and Christine, with
| dropping head, slipped out. Alice might have
screamed and perhaps Mr.. Ellery would have
| heard her. But she was Mortified at the
| treachery, Sotheran closed the door and
| locked it.
"Mr Ellery cannot hear he said. 1.-THE
shutters are closed; no one can hear from
! outside. Let us talk
| But he could not speak easily, for as he
looked at her, meaning to overiord her, the
power of her personality seized him. Her
horror passed; she said no word, but with
dilating nostrils and naughty head. faced him
! as she would have faced alone that wild
beast of the wood. Her eyes demanded his
purpose.
His throat was clogged; he coughed to clear
it; and advancing with an attempt at his
customary assurance, offered her a chair.
She waved it aside ~. =. I:.E7-sszz - :
She was magnihcently defiant, and the heart
whichsno one but she had over touched moved
suddenly with its only affection; and to
| his surprise something not understood rose
! up within him. How should he know that
| emotion 1t was reluctance. to destroy. He
the pitless, the calculating, gave an unfor-
seen answer. s. .t.,:2 =. 49,. ..<--& +
''Your promise; only your promise to marry
! me- - '..& !. 4 -. ~ -. y
81 scorn you!'- she said -.-. 4. sz I, :, . : : T. T.
b. (To be continued to-morrow) I.