The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-08-05
heaven, that woman kept away

der her breath. Miss Gerard answered
in the same key: THE RicEman WON
an-a ScmiadyepturcsS. separated from
her husband, but not divorced. Ned
came down here because lie was be-
witchrd with her and knew she WAS
ftayin:. ut IcImurc. Iuu k4low that is
Just six miles off. You haze Charmed
my boy into forgetting her. | do he
Iicvc. If you will really do that you
shall hav" half my fortune"
"IIl do it > for nothing" MarScry
flashed back with Il laugh. Her lights
were out. She had used them so prod
igally the tiny battery cells We're eX-
hausted Ned had been very happy
over contriviug them and singing them
in silver lantern from Margery' S
waist. He came toward the two wo-
men now without seeing them-they
were sunk in Il deeply c!nbowercd nook
of the shrubbpry. Miss Gerard gave
Margery'S hand IL c;iressing pat. saying
atTectiUuately as she nodded toward
her nephew. Hes Il good fellow. Mar
gcry, and good looking besides, you
know yOu'll really like being mistress
of FirStIncS--after me"
Il suit that place better" il voice
harsh and huarse with anger said be-
hind them. The shrubbery parted VIC
lently, letting through an Overblown
blond in gorgeous Greek costume. who
ran on as she should2red between the
other two. Il know all about your
plot--also that Firstancs 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 shriekcd out.
At the sound of them Ned hurried to-
ward the group. flushing with shame,
vet his mouth setting hard in the OBJ
stinate Gerard line. He took hold of
the woman and made to lead Der
away. saying almost roughly: so NIis
il; how you keep your word. You prom
iSpd me ON honor to stay at the iHi.
Get back there. At once, do you hear:
OthcrWisp--you will not see me again"
If you come with me-" the woman
said defiantly, wrcnching herself from
his hold and fielding her arniS, her
large eyes fast upon him i'll il hypnotic
stare. Miss Gerard stepped between
them, her face very white. Get this
creature - away-any how-Edward,"
size said very low. the words coming
hard. Let Us have-nO blatant scan
G:il--fOr the sake of-the Gerard name"
Come" Ned said imperatiyely, not
even holding: out Il hand to the wom-
az. She Ii.adc one step after him,
then sprung furiously ut Margery. who
stood apart with avertcd 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. Ncd
was too quick for her. With Il wheel
ing swoop he inteipossd his own per
son and caught the blow fairly between
the eyes. 1t sent him down like Il leg.
breathlrSS. ScusclcSS. inert After on;
look at him the woman who had StrucE
him ran screaming away. People rush
ed in from eve"y hand, but Miss Gerart.
waved them back Fetch the doctor
--uuirhiT. There has bcen-an acct
dent" she said. Not serious. think.
The-the strange lady who saw it is
easily frightened"
Margcry knelt beside the PROSTATE
figure. dabbling its face with water
and crying softly. So Ned SAW E1i
when he came back to consciousness.
still until the doctor came. He WAS not
very rebellious. The scales had falleI
from his eyes. As he lay staring int
the darkness. listening to the s:lbduc,
stir and hustle roundabout him. h,
saw how near lie had come to ship
wreck III his worship of an unscrupG
luus woman.
II lie had Icen Il hero of ronanr.
lie would have aaGe 1t Zip with swe"
Margery then and there. Hting
manly mortal. deeply ahased Ivy til
crowding sense Of his own folly. l..
did not speak until three yea! late:
when by hard work he had provcu
himself Il ;nan among men. OF cJurS
she said yes Was he not her fail.
prince: And. whether c. not they will
live happy ever after. this MurtI j
certaiu--th,- world outside will Lear Ii,
news of disa grcencnt$.