New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-19
The House on tie Hudson.
ny FRANCES POWELL
Copyright. 1908. by Charles scribn.r's son.1

went to his telephone-'and so they were mar
riedr "
He spread out his hands with a Ianguid gest-
ure Of fnality He had explained.
Who were married.
Nv voice astonished me- for il rang firm.
My dear Mrs. Erranti.'-my lack OF intelli-
gence panied and surprised NIr. ST. JOhn-~you
were married. 1 admire you much was
glad 20 relieve you OF the fatigue Of repeating
the answers in that tedious ceremony. the mar
rage service. I took your part I made your
for you through the telephone. I gave
you away-beCaUse Of what might have made
Us cousins. Then. with Cray. / served as Wit
ness. Dear lady. don't thank mel was but
too happy to be Of use. Though you think
have done a great deal for you. don't over
whelm with your gratitude
Languidly graceful smiling. pleasantly ex-
cited. he looked at me. triumphantly conscious
of having played successfully for high stakes
Philip would pay well and-he hated me.
You have indeed done a great DEAL" said.
quietly; more than you know; more. 1 believe.
than any man born under the stars and Stripes
has ever done. You have married white
gentlexoman. a woman of your own race and
class. to what I understand is called-a mu-
latto"
He stared at me lncredulously. hts languor
gone: then cried out roughly;
That's "A damned lie
1T is Gods truth. Philip Erranti Is the son
of Madams husband and slave"
An ugly pallor chased the bright color OF
pleasant excitement from his face
1T can't be true" he said. huskily. II won's
believe it,
Yet he did believe. At the moment OF hts de-
NAL memory OF the many peculiarities. studied
closely. came to him. He recognized the truth
Madam told me on her deathbed- Yes. you
~ -.
it Is known. viii make you outcast-a pariahI
Every decent man and woman will shrink from
you with Ioathing! Every respectable member
OF the colCred race viii thank God he Is nos
akin TO you"-
He took out his handkerchief and wiped away
the moisture beading his forehead. his facs
ashen. his white lips twitching nervously.
Il swear to God didn't know It. AthenaI
How could know such a hellish secret? Damn
him. for keeping 1t so well.''
You may save me yet; it's not too late! Talks
me 70 your uncle now. this moment They VIII
let you pass. Mr.. Beverley will help US BOTH
Damned rot! Much you know about my
uncle-it would ruin me. Anyway. IT COULDN'T
be done: the men on watch have their orders
couldn't get you through. I'm IN It up TO my
neck curse him. and so are you. Why the devil
you didn't get out Of here before. I'm damned Il
can see. You're a woman; you might have
known what was coming! But you were always
so Internally Of yourself A niger! 4
damned slave girls bastard! And he's got me
by the throat! 1 wish 70 the Lord he was
dead!"
XIII him. then" I whispered eagerly. and
save met
xiii him?'' echoed Randall. family. eying ns
with horror. XIII Erranti? But It would be
murder!''
You dare hesitate. after what you have done
to me?"
That's different" dabbing his face with his
scented handkerchief very different! can't
soil my hands with blood-it's too horrible"
I looked at him with cold contempt. I loathed
him
What are stained hands to such as you.
Randall ST. John? Your soul is smrched. your
honor gone. II you shoot this man and save
me. whom you have injured. from dishonor. you
do the one thing that may redeem you"
He shook his head. He looked sickly. old.
Then you give me up?'
I've got to-" he spoke sullenly. II can't
help myself. I'm in for it, and you.
We've got to make the best Of il. You'll have
lots Of mOney-later you can divorce him"
You Judasr' I whispered retreating from
him. You have sold me, You are worse than
Philip. Rather the tiger than his Jackali'
He tried to stop me. begged me to stay with
him. said he might not go home. he was
supposed to be in town. that he could not.
would not. be left alone I did not answer; but.
fastening to my room. closed the door upon
him. upon the pollution Of his coward presence.
viii 4Iademoiselle lunch here or below. with
Mr.. st. John?'' asked Francois later; and he
showed no surprise when I said:
Here. please"
I felt 1 must eat Strengthening food. sincs
much strength might be needed
(To be continued)