The National tribune., 1903-11-26


Ia Flore with more than ordinary inter
est. II was Malina Montrose.
1T has come at last. Heaven has been
very kind to me-"
Both she and Lille were strongly af-
fected by the murder, but quite differently.
To Malina it meant freedom, while Lille
was moved to fear and indignation
mingled.
Owen Redgraye was at his home await
ing a report from Vernon as he had prom
ised, when the tragedy at Tom Nolan
startled that section of the country.
Frank has left the country and has not
kept his promise. l will never, never find
her." he grOaned.
Simon bad utterly failed in his schemes,
and now the hope of help from Frank Yer
non was gone. No wonder Uncle Owen
was in despair. But one day he received
letter through the MAIL which thrilled
him with joy. 1t was as follows:
MIR. REDGRAvE: was wounded in the
performance of my duty and in self-de-
fense. / am not a murderer as charged.
La F'lore attacked me, and in self-defense
l stabbed him. i am not hiding from JUS
tice, but waiting for my wounds to heal.
.'Malina MontrOse, is at the house of
Lille Bsnkles, though they try to keep
her presence secret.
Yours truly,
"F. VERNON"
Uncle Owen was almost beside himself
with joy, but set out in his buggy for the
home of Miss Bunkles. 1t was a hard
rest when with tired horses he drew up at
the front stile.
Malina sat at the window gazing down
the great broad thoroughfare when her
lover came into view. She started to her
feet, then grew dizzy, and sank back in
her seat, TO witness what at any other
time might have been an amusing scene.
Lille had noticed the approach of Mr..
Redgraye, and planted herself directly in
the road, her pretty face red with wrath.
Stop, don't come an inch nearer
why. Lille, what do you mean?"
asked Mr.. Redgrave, amazed.
"Tyrant, monster, wretch, don't ask
what l mean; you know" shrieked Lille.
her eyes flashing with rage as she danced
over the sround. ~ suppose you have
come for the farm, have you? Well take
it, and turn me out of house and home.
Drive me away, if you will, but / will
never, never marry your worthless
nephew"'
Owen Redgrave sat as though para
lyzed. His mild, gray eyes grew round
with wonder and his kind benevolent face
a picture of astonishment. The fury of
the little woman was so intense that for
SeSeral moments Sne would not permit him
to utter word. AT last, when tears and
sobs choked her utterances, she became
quiet long enough for him to declare that
he had not come to take her home from
her.
''You have, you haver' she wept.
Il assure you
why did you go and assign the mort
gage over to your nephew, John Redgrave,
so that he might force me to marry him
or rob mel'
My dear child, there must be some mis-
take here. / never assigned the notes and
mortgages TO John Redgrave. Sooner than
distress You with them, | would throw the
papers il. the fire. and cancel the debt"
Lille grew calmer. but still declared
there could be no mistake. John Red
grave has them," she said
"Then lie obtained them without my
knowledge or consent. What was he do
ing with them hereT
He threatened TO use them to dispos-
sess me unless l consented to become his
wife"
'John is scarcely responsible for what
he does" replied Owen sadly. Don't be
alarmed, however / will protect you, and
while / know of no one | would rather
have for a niece than yourself, if you do
not want john Redgraye, do not marry
him.