Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-27

the hundredth time how SURPRISING lovely
he was.
Mr.. Glendonwyn had seated himself at
the table with a large pocketbook full OF
papers, which he presently spread out be,
fore him and studied intently. Warner
had brought a book from the library, which
he was pretending to read.
Now for it," 1 thought, how l wish
John were here to help mel"
Quite abruptly Mr.. Glendonwyn turned
to Kate, who started violently as he ad-
dressed her.
Madam" he said, 'I am aware that upon
a certain date Of January of this present
year my son, Rupert, foolishly and without
my knowledge went through a form OF mar
rage with you. Into the legality or lille.
gality Of that ceremony l shall not enter.
1t is sufficient that the fact cannot now be
proved in any court Of law"
But the witnesses-the Minister I
cried, Indignantly; IT myself was pres
ent!'
1.-THE first is dead" said Mr.. Glendonwyn
grayely, 1.-THE second there he turned
toward the surgeon, who bowed silently
will not, l think. be able to give such evil
dence as would tend to establish your
sisters claim. There remains yourself,
NHSo anu L DOilcNct a CeTNhlQ GER
tificate Of the form Of marriage gone
through between my son and your sister,
written in the hand Of the barracks chap
lain, who oficiated or pretended to ON
ciate."
81 will certainly not keep silent for a
day" I cried; my sister was as truly
married as any woman-as your own
mother, Mr.. G~lendonwyn!"
Mr. GIandonuyn n,oda MAJ I.-.--.
movement with his hand.
81 think" he went on, 'Tf YOU will do
me the favor to give me your attention
that I can show you some good reasons why
you should either deliver that certificate
into my hands or burn It before my eyes;
and, secondly, why your sister and your
self should sign a paper which I have
here, renouncing all claims on her own
account or on that OF her child to any
properties which might accrue to them
from such a marriage, supposing tina its
legality we're unquestioned."
II shall be glad to hear your reasons"
! said; they must be grave indeed to
justify us In taking such a step"
They are of the gravest or should
not be here today in the attitude OF a
suppliant," said he, with a kind Of mock
humility. Briefly, then. they are three.
First, II our requests are not complied
with and my son declared free to marry.
Rupert will go to prison as a forger, I as
an embezzler. Again, I have legal opinion
that in the absence OF witnesses in your
favor, the quasi certificate. a purely In
formal document, is quite valueless; and.
thirdly, which may influence you most. II
our demands are not complied with DR..
Warner and I intend to take with us the
child which has been the issue Of my sons
unfortunate mesalliance."
He had hardly the words out OF his
mouth when Kate was on her feet, breath
ing deeply and hercely, her head thrown
a little forward and her splendid hair fall
ing in disorder about her neck. With a
single motion Of her hands she pushed back
the chair and stood with clasped fingers
and flashing eyes between the men and the
babe.
you shall not-you csnnot-take my
childl" she cried. "You only DO this to
brighten me, / know. ! will call for help.
l will strike you dead with my hands.
Fairlie-Hamish-Jonet-help me! They are
going to take him away-to take my little
child from me. Oh, nO-no-no!"
had risen and gone across to her, but
with one hand she put me easily aside. She
was wonderfully strong. She held out the
other with a paper in It.
There" she cried. take II! Read IL!
Burn IL! / desire never to see IT again.
Or him either. He has sent you TO take my
boy away from me. See, l will burn II my
self before your eyes"
And before anyone could stop her she had
thrown the paper into the FIRE and stamped
1t down with her heel. 1t famed up mo-
mentarily in the bright blaze Of the pine
branches, and as it crumbled into black
ash / could see a new expression com into
Gregory Glendonwyn's eyes. When next he
spoke 1t was with quite a new tone OF su-
thority.
so far, good" he said; "and now,
madam. ! must have your signatures to
this document also. After that I will leave
you in peace. II goes to bis heart TO be