The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1904-07-29


. desperate. reckless lie, lie almost
certain Of detection; yet II was the
My resource of the moment, and
moment later 1t vas TO late to recall.
one III must now follow another, and
all must make a deadly coil.
Madam. am sorry" said John
Law, quietly yet his face twitched
sharply at the impact OF these cut
ting words Did you know Of my let
ter to her."
Am not hcre?" said Mary Con-
nyngc.
True. and thank you deeply. But
how. why-pray you, understand that
would be set right. ! would not un-
iergo more than Is necessary vii!
YOU not EXPLAIN
There is but little to cXplan--lit-
tie, though il may mean much It
must he private. Your hrother-hc
must never know, Promise me not to
speak TO him of this "
This means much to me, | doubt
not. my dear lady" said John Law
| trust I may keep my counsel in
matter which comes so close to me-
Eyes. truly" replied Mary Connynge,
If You had set your heart upon a
kindly answer"
what, You mean, then. that
she"
DO You PROMISE
Il promise" he cried. And now
tell me what answer had the Lady
Catharine Knollys "
she declined TO answer" said Mary
Connynre. slowly and evenly. "De-
lined to come. She said that sh" was
III enough pleased to hear OF your
brawling. Said tina, she doubted not
the law would punish you, nor doubted
that the law was just
John Law half whirlcd upon his
heel. smute his hands together and
laughed loud and bitterly.
Madam" said he. Il had never
| thought to say 1t to n woman but In
| very Justice must tell YOU that |
see quite through this shallow false
| hood
Sir" said Mary Connyncc. her hands
| rmtchinC at the AIMS of her chair
this IL unusual speech to lady"
but your story. madam, is most
unusual"
"Tell me. then. why should | be
here" burst out tho girl what is II
10 me? Why should | care what tn,
Lady Catharinc says or does? Why
should | riSl, my own name to comt
Of this crrand in the night? Now LEI
me pass. for shall leave you
The swift jealous rage Of Mary
Connynrc was unprecedented, yc
nothing had better served her rea
purpose. Tn" stubborn nature Of Law
was ever ready for a challenge, liz
naught her arm, and placed her no
unkindly upon the chair,
BY heaven. hall believe what you
say is true" said he as though Il
himself.
"Yct you jus, said twas false" sal,
the girl, her eyes flashing.
Il meant that what You add is true
and hence the first also must be be
ueycd Then you saw my message
II did since II 80 Tell ont.
But YOU did not read the real mos
sage asked no aid of any ON" 10
my escape ! but asked her To come
in sheer truth. wished but TO SO
her"
And by what right could you cN
poet that
81 asked her as my anianccd wife.
replied John Law.
Mary COnnyngo stood an inch iallc
as she sprang to her feet in suddc
scorn and bitterness.
your anianrcd wife," cried sh,
What, So soon Oh. rare indec
must be my opinion of this Lad
, Catharinc."
, at was never my way to waste tim
on Journey" said John Law coolly.
"Your wife your allianccd wife,
AS said"
yes" cried Mary Connynge. bi
, lerly, and again, unconsciously and
sheer anger, falling upon that cour'
which best served her purpose. An
what manner OF atlianccd wife is
u
breath OF trouble? My God It's the
: 1t seems to me. woman would mo
1t swiftly fly to the man she loved"
John Law turned slowly toward he
= his eyes scanning her closely from t
= to toe noting the hcaying OF h.
bosom, the sparkling of her gOld-CO
g ored eye. now darkened and half reaC
:, to dissolve in tears. He stood
q though he were "A judge. weighing q
evidence before him, calmly, dispa
+ sionately.
d Would you do SO much as tina
t. Mary Connynge?" asked John Law.
Y Il. sir?" she replied. Then why a
n | here tonight myself? But, God pi
= me- what have | said? There is not
] ing but misfortune in all my life"
r II was one rebelliOus, unsubdued n
II ture speaking to another. and Of Il
n two each was now having its own sha
II suffering. The instant of doubt is Il
W time OF danger. Then comes rcyulsio
bitterness. despair, folly. John La
e trod Il step nearer
e by God! madam" cried he,
n would might believe you. | won
10 | might believe that you. that al
Woman. would come to me at such
q time! But tell me-and bethlnk n
II my message was not addressed, W
|, even unsigned-whom then may
II trust? II this woman scorns my ca
II at such time. tell me. whom shall
Il hold faithful? Who would come to I
q at any time. in any case, in my troubl
Suppose my message were to vow"
Mary Connynge stirred softly ind
her deep cloak. Her head was lift
slightly. the curve Of cheek and oh
showing In the light that fell from {
a kK-rrTT-