The National tribune., 1903-12-03
CHAPTER XIV.
lie MIDNIGHT APPEAL.


The marriage of Uncle Owen was a sur
prise to everybody, but it WAS a thunder
holt to Lucreta and her son. John Red
grave raved furiousiy.
Uncle has insulted us. and disgraced
the Redgrave name. Let us leave him.
let us GO
That was much easier said than done.
If they went. where should they go:
Lucretia Redgrave being shrewd. schem-
ing woman, declared that would not do,
and urged her hopeful son and heir 10
leave the matter to her. Give me time.
and I'll make it so uncomfortable for her.
she'll leave him..
Yes, and bring about another scandal,
said john Redgrave. "Haint we got
scandal enough on our name! Why, III
- if l amt ashamed of my family"
But the mother prevailed Oh him TO let
her try her plans, though he did so re-
iuctantly. and went to the village to en-
gage in protracted drunk
When Uncle Owen brought his wife
home Mrs. Redgrave gave them Il cold
welcome. The next day she began to
work out her plans.
S."Well, l reckin you want the keys of
the house, so you can look after the things
yourself? l have been Owens housekeep
er now for 15 years. and | think you'll
find everything here safe"
NIalina raised her brown eyes to the
woman in astonishment She had not
thought of keys. or housekeeping. The
love for which her starving heart had So
long yearned was all that dwelt on her
mind.
Uncle Owen was away, and Malina was
alone with Mrs. Redgrave.
II don't understand you," she said
finally.
Il thought I spoke plain enough" de-
clared Mrs. Redgraye. Il suppose you
want the keys of the house"
why should l want the keys? asked
Maiina.
You want to look after the house your
self
s.'No; don't know that l care to d,
So
Not look after your own house?" cried
Mrs. Redgrave. What a curious crea-
ture You are
''For the present" said 4Iaiina gently.
"will you be so good as to dc it for me-"
well, yes, for awhile; but l hold that
every woman should do her own house
keeping. 1t is her duty" and the eyes of
the woman seemed to grow green with
hate.
That evening when Uncle Owen was
alone with his young wife she told him
the story of the morning conversation, and
tearfully declared that she would always
; De niSeraDie uHuer the same roOI Will
Mrs. Redgrave. Wont you send her
.away?" she asked.
Then came Il trial for Uncle Owen. 1t
was conflict between love and what he
regarded duty. His first inclination was
to obey the dictates of his heart and send
Lucretia away, but he remembered his
solemn promise to his dying brother to
always GIVE his wife and son a home be-
meath his roof.
ind 4 Ia ~ t< oft
moment of hesitation. ''She is a good
woman when you come to know her."
But she hates me. my dear husband.
Her eyes fash with such deadly malice
that fear. her. i can never live happily
In the same house with her"
My dear, try, for my sake. and if you
can't live happily in the same house with
tier, we Will find some way to live apart
from her. The world is wide
Little did the husband and wife dream
that a keen ear was listening to all they
said. Had they seen the fire that flashed
from the eye of that woman. and the
hate expressed in her face, they might
both have trembled for their safety.
= Mrs. Lucretia Redgrave was addicted
to the morphine habit. as has been pre-
viously stated. and that night before re-
tiring she took vial from her small
medicine chest and gazed on it with an
evil smile. IF I could" she said, sit
would be right. perfectly right"
Uncle Owen and Malina had been home
two weeks before John yentured to the
house. Then it was late in the evening"
and all save his mother had retired. His
face was pale and his hands trembled
from his late debauch.
why didn't You come home before
this. John:' his mother asked.
Home: Why, mother / have no
home" he answered. Come here and
ruin my character with such as she?"
= But she's his WIFE"
John laughed sardonically SECT me
some supper. and I'll tell you something"
= She set some supper before MIN, and
as he ate, John related his almost improb-
able story. Now, git ready and come
with me, and I'll prove it, lie said as he
finished his delectabe recitation.
=. What, tonight? Why it's too late"
I'VE must 90 when no one will see u.s."
: So out into the night the two plotters
vert and it was 3 in the morning when
they returned to the house.
$40 John did not enter, but left his mother
at the gate and hurried to Tom Nolan's
saloon to get something to brace up his
nerves.
Mrs. Redgrave went TO her room, and
lighting a lamp drew from lier bosom a
large yellow official envelope. which con-
: tanned a legal-lookiug document, and n
features. 1t was the same document
Uncle Owen had seen slip from Malina's
hand when they We're struggling in the
water; it was the same found in Frenchy's
possession when he was drawn almost
= drowned from the water by Frank YER
non.
After few moments spent in glOating
over the paper she arose. carefully thrust
it in her bosom, and extiDguished the
light. When she slept she hugged the
envelope to her breast as if it was an oh.
ject precious TO her soul.
/, - Next day Malina read new misery for
her in the evil glance of Mrs. Redgrave's
eyes, and begged her husband TO take her
away.
sr-7''I know am foolish and nervous. but
II am SO unhappy when she glares at me
: with her great, greenish black eyes; / be-
lieye she would kill me. OH, / fear she
will kill me, if / stay here"
Uncle Owen tried in vain to laugh her
fears away. BE patient, and will take
you away as soon as possible
Next night a steamer at the landing
demanded Uncle Owens attention. He
kissed his wife goodnight. begged her to
The moon shone brightly, and Malna sat
clock in the hall had chimed the hour
Of II.
Suddenly she heard slight tap at her
door, and hoping it was her husband re-
,4 turned, she hastily rose and opened it.
Before her stood Lucretia Redgraye. tall,
proud sinister.
Il came TO talk with you," said
Lucretia in her sharp. discordant tones
what have you to say! stammered