The Indianapolis journal., 1903-07-26

a
phial over there behind the crate. what
will they think? What will they do to you.
my poor Alfred?
''Signora, | beg you to go. Leave me.
Leave me to my fate. / daresayS you mean
well. but 1 won't follow your advice any
more for il hasn't turned out very we'll.
shall give myself UP TO the police and tell
all l know
He had his hand on the handle of the
door. The signora sprang at him and tore
it away
"Are you mad?'' she exclaimed. Don't
you see that, although that course might
have answered yesterday. you cannot follow
il to-day? 1t would be .ruin-absolute ruin!
Who would believe that you have been ill?
What doctor have you sent for? Everybody
will know that you have simply been in
hiding. And now, when the danger is at its
greatest, you will rush out and throw your
self into its arms. oh. what Madness
But what can L do?' groaned the wretch
ed man, leaning in a helpless manner
against the door post.
well, / have thought of a plan. If you
adopt it it will mean perfect safety for you.
Alfred, since yesterday l have not been idle.
1 have taken the advice of an English law
yer Oh, l was cautious; you need not
start He told me that in this country it
Is impossible for a wife to give evidence
against her own husband. There is but one
way out of this awful difficulty. Alfred. we
must marry
Marry you? 1 would rather" He
stopped short.
Am L. then. so hdeous, Alfred?" said the
Led ;,,th har
that suggested that possibly Mr.. Miniver
might be made to pay hereafter for his un-
finished remark.
mo, not.at all. You know that you are
very beautiful. But do not wish to marry.
shall never marry. 1 made my mind UP
to it-years ago."
'You will have to make it up over again,
then, my dear Alfred, or else go to the
scaffold. You forget that 1 cam send you
to prison at any moment, and you know
what the end of that must be-
A CHASTITY whiteness appeared on the VIC
TINS face. For the first time he realized
that he was in this woman's power, and
that he was practically forced to do her
bidding.
"But there isnt-there isn't time,'' he
said, lamely. people can't be married all
In moment like that"
"I asked the lawyer about that, too,
thinking it might be we'll to know, and
he told me exactly what has to be done.
/ can get the license and arrange with the
clergyman at once, If you prefer to marry
me rather than go to prison"
There may be some men who would prefer
to meet a charge of murder, there being
apparently overwhelming evidence of guilt,
rather than marry a beautiful woman of
questionable antecedents and doubtful
veracity. II so, Mr.. Alfred Dunn Miniver
was not one of them. In few minutes he
gave his consent, and the preliminaries
were settled. The signora was to get the
license and arrange for the services of a
clergyman, and in the meantime Mr. Mini
yer was to 90 back to bed and ring for a
cup of tea and a bit Of toast, invalid
fashion. He was to have his portmanteau
packed and his bill paid. and the signora
would come and help to smuggle him out Of
the hotel at o'clock. After the ceremony
they would go and stay quietly at another
| hotel, until it was time to start for the
| night mail to Paris.
mo doubt a warrant for my arrest to
give evidence will be issued this afternoon,
/,
| as she took her leave. Tomorrow we
| shall be far beyond their reach
The programme was faithfully carried out
| At that afternoon Signora Trebelli was
made Mrs. Alfred Miniver, and the newly
Hotel. where they dined
| Dinner being over. the bride went to see
about the luggage and the tickets, as it was
not considered safe for Mr.. Miniver to show
himself more than was absolutely necessary.
A few minutes later Mr.. Miniver, clad
| in long ulster and round felt hat. was hurry
| ing along one Of the hotel passages, when
he suddenly came face to face with man
who, like himself. was dressed for the road
why, Miniver, Is this you, man? Why
are you in such a hurry? And where are
| you going? Haven't you heard that your
uncle died yesterday"
| To all this Miniver made no reply He
could only stand and gasp out: "Jack-Jack
| wheeler!'
That's me. But what's the matter with
you?'
:Oh, Jack, I am the most wretched mar
| alive! Some times do think 1 have lost my
wits!'
mo great find for anybody that pick.
| 'em up" said Mr.. Wheeler, with a grin, bu,
| Miniver was in no mood either to laugh a,
or to resent the pleasantly. Come in here
and tell me all about It," said Wheeler
| opening the door OF his room.
More for the sake of relieving his overbur.
dened mind than for any other reason Min.
! liver told his friend all that had happened.
But, my dear fellow, what nonsense art
you talking? Your uncle died of long-stand
ing heart disease-at least, SO the paper:
said They mentioned the name of his doc
tor, though forget it. And certainly there
has been no inquest, or / must have heart
| of 1t. That odious little cousin of yours
Morris Miniver. was telling me what a good
thing ii would be for him. and wondering
| what had become of YOU"
There was a long pause
wheeler" said Mr.. Miniver with solem
nifty in his manner, that woman has mar
red me under false pretenses."
"Tm afraid there's no possible doubt o.
that" said Mr.. Wheeler"
Dir. Miniver Joined his bride on the plat
form few minutes later, and handed he
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