The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-21
CHAPTER Viii.

crime.
CHAPTER VIII.
Harerave Dentons Threat.
Eleanor's eyes flashed scorn upon Ear-
grave Denton-for it was he--but the
scorn changed into anxiety when she
heard his allusion to her father. Hargrave
politely elbowed her partner out of his
way, and was by her side holding out his
arm with something like etfrontery.
Let us go into the grounds he went
on. I'VE can talk more conveniently
there"
LAS you please" she replied with an in.
ward perturbation her cold, proud face
did not betray.
She took no notice of his preferred arm,
and he dropped it, an ugly smile distort-
ing his face. Hurried as was her glance
she noticed great change in his looks. 1t
seemed as tho all the good in him had dis
appeared and the evil were accumulated.
II have been seeking you for weeks"
he began, when they reached the open air.
my mother told us she met you in Paris,
but after that all trace Of you was lost
well, what of that? Why should you
concern yourself about me? Our last
meeting was not pleasant that should
desire to see you again. Besides, your en-
gagement-your mother told me Of It,
"Oh, she was certain to do that he
rejoined, with discordant laugh. my
engagement-I don't care that for 1t.
He snapped his fingers contemptuously.
Eleanor, is there no way can atone for
my stupidity?" he continued. Il admit
I was an ass. I Numbered horribly, but if
I lost my head it was because of my love
for you. Can you not believe me?'
II think had better return she in
terposed, icily. Your conversatio does
not interest me in the slightest. You had
better save it for Linda Clare
T ;,,I, Wave "a he hrNly
In, savagely. II tell you there is only one
woman in the world I love, and her name
is Eleanor Tremaine."
Every word you say is a fresh insult"
she cried hotly. How prudent you have
been in your choice of time and place.
cason.' .t.. ..a
She coul dnot see his face, it was too
dark, but she knew we'll enough her words
cut like the lash of a whip. =
"Oh, I suppose you don't always travel
with train Of puppies
She disdained to reply. His retort was
feeble and meaningless, and because 1t
so it recalled the image-never for
gotten-of the man who struck this cow
ard to the earth. That man a puppy?
Monstrous! 1t would not endure thinking
of for moment
She stopped suddenly, the presence Of
, Hargrave Denton had become unendur-
able. She could hear. a melodious waltz
beginning, and she knew the young fellow
to whom she had promised it was waiting
her. It was an excellent excuse for get
ting away. But was an excuse needed?
Scarcely. Hargrave Denton's coarseness
put him outside consideration. She
turned and left him. -.-.' ...
He was by her side in an instant. "You
haven't heard what I have to tell you,
he Kissed. 1--WE not said anything to you
about your father 1885,. -.
WELL" she cried, In tone Of defiance.
land what have you to say? Let me know
Of what you accuse him." . .-..
"How cleverly you anticipate me-" he
returned sneeringly. "You think, then,
going to make an accusation"
II cannot tell. You are capable of any
thing that is mean, low and cowardly."
rs it mean to love you? Is it low to
love you? Is it cowardly to love you?
Cannot you see that everything I do.
everything I saw everything I think OF
comes from my love for you? We spoke
of Linda Clare just now. I am engaged
to her-perfectly true. I throw her aside
for your sake. In a weak moment
yielded to the persuasions Of my mother
and proposed to Linda Glare. I repented
and-and then I found out something
which," ...#
He finished the sentence wit han ex-
pressive shrug Of the shoulders, and a sly
sinister glance from between his half
closed eyelids
why do you not speak openly? I car
guess your intention, Mr.. Denton. You
would like to intimidate me. Would il
not show more courage If you addressed
yourself to Mr. Tremaine?'
Possibly; but I'm not going to try that
way. Listen to me, and I'll put the mat
ter very briefly. Surprising I'd been dowr
to Cornwall-say, for the sake of example
to your fathers native place, Bodmin-
and supposing I had been making inqui.
VII OH Itc ~;
years ago, and had been reading up the
files Of the local papers Of that date. What
then?"
II don't know what you are talkins
about" cried the girl, an Icy terror creep
ing over her, for the remembrance of thai
mysterious and and terrible confession OF
her father was vivid in her mind.
Exactly. You do not know what
am talking about" returned Hargrave
Denton, stroking his moustache. per.
NIT me to explain. It amounts to this
that I hold Mr.. Hugh Tremaine in the
hollow of my hand. I have but to dig w
events Of thirty years ago, and should
think it extremely unlikely that Mr. Ire
maine would show his head in the cit,
again."
IT do not believe you,'' she rejoined
haughtily. But allowing for the SAX,
Of argument that your work as spy hal
been successful, could you be so COW
ardly as to make public your miserabl,
scrapings of the past? Oh, it would b.
shameful-shameful You would deserv
to be bounded from the society Of decen
men and women"
II don't agree with YOU" he answered
trying in vain to keep his voice steady
'Who Is the worst offender? He VIII
commits a crime, or he who exposes one
should think that ought to be com
mended for tearing the mask from a ma
who has been posing for so long as re
spectacle honorable, charitable, ard-an
all that sort Of thing
Eleanor could not reply. Mingled dis
gust and terror choked her utterance, 70
the barbed shaft under which she writhe
might be tipped with truth Her silenc
must have given him a sense of triumph
for he continued in more confident tone
~Of course, do not wish to do anythin
unpleasant. am willing to forget every
thing for your sake Eleanor. Is ther
another man who would do as much? BIT