Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-04-03

repay the ueDJS ne owed, at cOHipOuuu
interest down to the last penny"
She was looking at him now with
fear-haunted eyes, looking at him as
one might gaze upon some dreadful
spectre of the past
"You-are-Jack!" she said, slowly,
as IL almost unable to grasp the idea at
once.
Il am that once miserable wretch.
Having embarked upon my campaign,
| lost no time in making your hus-
bands acquaintance. 1t was my hand
that. in a fair and honorable way,
stripped him of all he possessed. That
is only beginning
Jack! Jack! Have you no mercy?"
she groaned, wringing her hands
wildly.
did you have any when you so
coolly turned me down to stay in the
mine. while upon my shoulders you
mounted to a position in society and
gave yourself to a man you never
loved? / know all you would say, and
be sure, have steeled my heart against
all arguments. What | seek Is only
justice-a fair equivalent. / have suf-
fered, God only knows how much. 1t is
your turn"
He looked like a man Of stone, upon
whom pleading and tears would be
wasted.
Fedora attempted neither at first
she seemed to act and speak as IL in a
dream, for his influence, whatever 1t
sprang from, dominated her PERSONAL
ty to a remarkable extent
Had it been so in those days of yore
Fedora would never have willingly CIV
en- him up.
You speak of heaven in the same
breath with vengeance-surely you
cannot believe. Jack, that God ap-
proves of such things. l did wrong
you, oh, most grievously; but | have
bitterly repented it ever since, and
hoped the day might come when
could tell you so. Often / have wept to
remember your despair. 1t has been
the one black spot upon my life, and
kept me from being truly happy. But,
Jack, won't you forgive if you can
never forget-see, / plead with you;
hold this wretched remembrance no
longer against me. Be my friend, my
brother. You already respect my hus-
band; why be the means of his RUM"
while l cannot forget, l must not
forgive. You have not yet begun to
know what suffering means. When
the world seems dark and your soul
prays for death"
---+''D't. J~sis, -ston: onneidar. ynn can
not have revenge upon me without in
juring my children" she said, sudden
ly remembering his weakness of old
and how child had never appealed in
vain so long as he had a sou left
This was harder task than the 9TH
er, and the indomitable marquis was
compelled to grit his teeth in the en-
deavor to stem the signs of retreat that
threatened to overwhelm him.
Il regret exceedingly that they must
suffer, for | am not that cruel to desire
through their hold on your heart to in
fiict pain on you; but as |, an innocent
party, once paid the penalty of your
SIN, so they, too, must inherit the leg
acy."
rs there no way in which you may
be satisfied without the burden falling
on them?''
Il know of none. They must suffer
when You do. all being members of
one family. 1t is fate"
Jack, have mercy!-see, on nv
knees beg you to forgive. 1t is true |
wronged you most fearfully. God
knows, | am wretchedly sorry. But out
of that wrong has come your bright
fortune, and, perhaps, Jack, some more
worthy woman may fill the place in
your heart once occupied. Forget the
past and live for the future. Crash
them before they have flown. Rise
above this spirit OF revenge upon a
weak, wretched woman, who in her
thoughtlessness did you harm and
lived to repent. Already you have as
you say brought ruin upon us. and
cast us out from society. For that |
care little; but for Gods sake. leave
me the love OF my husband, my chill
dren."
1t was enough to melt heart OF ice.
and reason combined with emotion In
the argument. Had not the marquis
threshed this same straw himself al
most daily-had II been thrust sudden
ly upon him. he must have been fairly
overwhelmed.
1t was not his design that Fedora
should see any sign of weakness in his
manner, and he maintained the same
passionless exterior he had shown
through the whole interview.
Il promise nothing. Only this
say, that your children have doubtless
saved you from fate that might have
come upon you. / do not relent. | sim
ply change my tactics, and for their
sakes spare you that humiliation, that
shame. What further means OF pun
ishment ! may decide to invoke you
will know in good time AS you sowed
so must you reap. That Is the law of
recompense of stern justice. There
fore, weep over your wretched lot, and
bitterly regret that false step in which
you were tempted by pride. do not
dare remain here longer in your pres