Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-07-28
CHAPTER XVII

that those articles came into my posses
sloD Mechanically my hand stole to the
pocket in "hich they were concealed.
Mile. Rosdlie smiled, and in that smile
saw that she knew the meaning of the
motion. l could not speak; | could not
life my head. How much higher than l
YVES this base woman. Full of venom,
righteousness and spite, as she was, her
soul was free from blood outlines.
You are guilty" she said.
Il must be guilty." | said mechanical
ly. What do you propose TO do!'
Il propose" she replied, in voice of
much@sweetness, ITO save you. You have
wife and daughtear. What would your
disgraceful death mean to themY
This reference to those dear innocent
ones whose honor was my honor, whose
shame was my shame, and VINO, were l
brought to the bar OF justice, would share
my infamy, completely unnamed me. A
sob of agony escaped from my lips.
rs it not worth while" said Mile. Ro-
sale, ito sdSe yourself, so that they may
be saved?'
Yes, yes" I gasped, Selling her hand
and looking imploringly into her face.
TO save them from ignominy and from
lifelong sorrow. Is it possible that you
will do this for me and themT
Il Will Hush! There is a knock at
the door. Ask who's there"
Her voice, as she spoke, did not rise
above a whisper. / strove to utter the
words she dictated, but my tongue claye
to the roof of my mouth.
Richard. Richardr'
1t was my wife calling softly to me
from without
open the door" whispered Mile Ro-
sale Il will hide behind there point
ing to a screen. ~She will not see me-
Do not let her keep you long When she
is gone | will show yo,. that you have
nothing TO fear
She glided with noiseless footsteps be-
hind the screen, and moved to the door.
l forgot for Il moment that it was locked.
and my wife called to me that the key
was turned. / unlocked the door and adj
mitted her; but l did not allow her to
step into the middle of the room. She
was in her nightdress, and | well re-
member that there was a piece of narrow
red ribbon at her neck, which looked to
me like blood. She told me that, waking
and finding me absent from the bedroom,
she grew anxious and came to seek me-
| responded with wandering words and
looks. and this appeared to render her
more anxious. She tenderly asked wheth-
er l was not we'll | answered / was
well, but l was engaged upon a most i'm
portant task. | must be alone And
still she fingered, and continued to speak
in sweet and loving tones; and clasped
me round the neck and kissed me; but |
pushed her from me, and babe her go to
her room and sleep.
You will come soon?' she asked so
lieitously.
Il do not know, do not know" 1
muttered. Il have much to do. Do you
not see how you are distressing me?''
Shortly afterward she left me, but
not before she made another effort to
soothe me. She smoothed my forehead
with cambria handkerchief and put it
into my hand. saying it was clean and
cool and would refresh me. As she cross
ed the threshold l quickly locked the
door upon her, and the handkerchief fell
from my hand Mile. Rosalie, gliding
forward from her hiding place behind
the screen, picked it up and toyed with
it, and l made no attempt to take it
from her. The vital issue at stake COM
pletely epgrossed me.
I'VE are free now from intrusion," she
said, land our business will not take
long. | have terms to propose. First,
and now her voice assumed a new phase
of malignity tell me what you think l
was doing while | was hiding behind the
screen"
Doing? Nothing
Not even listening?"
''Ah, yes; you could not help doing
that"
"Of course not. 1t was not TO be sup
posed THAI / would play the part of
eavesdropper unless | was compelled
Such an Infamous woman as | am! That
is what you called me few minutes ago.
l was a liar and thief as well, was /
not? l like to be correct And but
few short hours before that you dis
charged me in manner that would ruin
the fair fame of any lady, and informed
me that l was not a fit associate for your
wife and daughter. And yet l am going
to save them; yes. indeed l am, and To-
save you, tool But ! must tell you first
what l was doing while your wife was
here. / was taking down in shorthand
every word that was spoken between you.
You had no idea of the extent of my ac-
cOmplishments, had your / am really
accomplished. Years ago / learned short
hand, and it used to bring me in a few
shilings. Oh, what a hard life l have
hadl what bitter, cruel life, But / am
going 10 enjoy myself now that L have
the chance. You see, with this handker-
chief and this little piece of paper in
my hand l can so to your wife and say.
Not only is your husband murderer
but he loves me- when l prove to her.
by relating what you said to each other
~ L in,
cealed while you were so anXiously try
ing TO get rid Of her"
She did not speak rapidly: now and
again she paused, TO give me an oppor-
tunity of replying; but l could find no
words, so COMPOUNDED was | by her al
tered manner That | was more COM
pletely than ever in her power was evil
dent TO me in spite of nv agony of be-
wilderment But the woman who held
M in her tolls had said she would save
met In what way? Not out of tender
ness and pity, but out of hate and scorn.
What course was to be dictated by these
sentimentSy
You understand meF' she asked. 'It
is necessary that you should tell me that
you understand me-"
so far" l said. II understand you.
ience. my mercy, must be purchased.
have set price aud terms upon them
In the murdered mans dispatch box
there were FIVE thousand pounds. l must
have that money"
Il have not got il.
She laughed mockingly. But, my
dear sir my innocent, virtuous gentle
man. money l must have. You drew
from the bank to-day $1,000 l must
have that. 1t is in this room. All.
there is 4 safe in the corner. yor keep
ycer precious things in it. Your eyes are
wandering toward it now. And these
two keys upon the table-why, as / am
an honest woman, they must be the keys
of the safei l wonder, now, if could
unlock itr'
/ allowed her TO do as sac would. She
unlocked the safe and drew therefrom
49,. - s-aiS 5fs0 Sov.-as.--,.. =. -