The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-07-07

came down here because he was be-
witched with her and knew she was
staying at BelmOre. You know that is
Just six miles off. You have charmed
my boy into forgetting her, | do be-
licyc. If you will really do that you
slail Lave half my fortune"
III 60 if for nothing" Margery
flashed back with laugh. Her lights
were out she had used them so prod
igaily tie tiny battery cells were eX-
hausted. Ned had been very happy
over cOntriving them and singing them
in a silver lantern from Margery's
waist. He came toward the two wo-
men now without seeing them-they
were sunk in a deeply embowered nook
of the shrubbery. Miss Gerard gave
Margery's hand caressing pat, saying
affectiOnately as she nodded toward
her nephew, He's a good fellow, Mar
gerry, and good looking besides, you
know you'll really like being mistress
of FirStanes-af me-"
81 suit that place better Il voice
harsh and hoarse with anger said be-
hind them. The shrubbery parted vio-
lently letting through an overblown
blond in gorgeous Greek costume, who
ran on as she shouldered between the
other two. Il know all about your
plot-also that Firstanes is entailed.
Ned Gerard will marry me-nobody
else. Marry me just as soon as my
beast of husband dies, and he cannot
possibly last another year. Try as
you may, madam, your will-o'-the-
wisp shall not lead him away from
me-"
The last words were shrieked out.
At the sound of them Ned hurried to-
ward the group, flushing with shame,
yet his mouth setting hard in the OBJ
stinate Gerard line. He took hold of
the woman and made to lead her
away, saying almost roughly: $50 this
is how you keep your word! You prom
ised me on honor 10 stay at the inn.
Get back there! At once, do you hear?
Otherwise-you will not see me again"
IF you come with me-" the woman
StAih W INllNhllS IoCil lIOln
his hold and folding her arms, her
large eyes fast upon him in hypnotic
stare. Miss Gerard stepped between
them, her face very white. "Get this
Creature - away anyhow-Edward,"
she said very low, the words coming
hard. Let us have-no blatant scan
dal-for the sake Of-the Gerard name"
Come" Ned said imperatively, not
even holding out hand to the wOm-
an. She made one step after him,
then sprang furiOusly at Margery, who
stood apart with averted eyes, clutch
ed the lantern at her waist, tore it
loose, swung it high above her head
and brought it crashing down with all
her force, aiming to strike with it Mar
gery's crescent crowned forehead. Ned
was too quick for her With a wheel
ing swOOp he interpOsed his own per-
son and caught the blow fairly between
the eyes. 1t sent him down like a log,
breathless, senseless, inert After one
look at him the woman who had struck
him ran screaming away. People rush
ed in from every hand, but Miss Gerard
waved them back. Fetch the doctor
quickly! There has been-an acct
dentr' she said. Not serious. | think.
The-the strange lady who saw it is
easily frightened"
Margery knelt beside the PROSTATE
figure, dabbling its face with water
and crying softly. So Ned saw her
when he came back to consciousness.
He tried to rise, but she made him lie
still until the doctor came. He was not
very rebelliOus. The scales had fallen
from his eyes. AS he lay staring into
the darkness, listening to the subdued
stir and hustle roundabout him, he
saw how near he had come to ship
wreck in his worship of an unscrupu-
lOus woman.
If he had been hero Of romance
he would have made it up with sweet
Margery then and there. Being a
manly mortal, deeply abased by the
crOwding sense of his own folly, he
did not speak until three years later,
when by hard work he had proved
himself a man among men. OF course
she said yes. Was he not her fairy
prince? And, whether or not they will
live happy ever after, this much is
certain-the world outside will hear no
news of disagreements.