Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-08-25
CHAPTER XVI.
Avarice and Justice.

HNdriCe dnu JUSTICE.
Kate clutched at a chair tightly, hel
whole form shiyering with horror ana
loathing.
II dare say you can get him to com
promise the business He can have a
slice of the income, say third or a
quarter After all, he mightn't win
the case; it's not so easy to prove a
claim of this kind. I'd give him a
quarter of the income to let me alone.
But you'll know how to manage that.
"YOu-you think | would do this
you ask me?" she breathed, her eyes
full of qnspeakable contempt and
scorn.
"Of course you will. Oh, not for
my sake; | don't think that" he re.
torted, with a sneer, but for your
own. 1t wouldn't be pleasant to lose
your coronet, and sink into plain Mrs.
Arthur Carr-Lyon, and it wouldn't be
pleasant to come before the world as
the daughter of a man who was doing
his seven years"
She put her hands to her head, with
gesture of despair, and he smiled.
That touches you, does it? Well,
you can do the self-sacrificing daugh-
ter, don't you know. Anyhow, there's
nothing else to be done that | can
think Of"
There was silence for moment or
two; the clock licked mockingly on
the mantel-shelf, the ashes of the
dying fire fell mournfully on the
hearth, and Kate stood confronted by
the septre of her ruined life.
Presently he began to walk up and
down the hearth-rug; then he
stopped a little nearer to her, and
looked at her strangely, a look of
admiration and dislike blended.
Look here!" he said; II don't bear
malice; meant to have this out with
you; | meant to show you that | know
your little game, and now I've done it,
| feel better. You and | understand
each other now, and, that being the
case, there is no reason why we
shouldn't get on very well together
A chill ran through Kate's frame,
and she shrank back little.
Were married, and can't be un
married; and there's no use in crying
over split milk. Well call quits-if
you like, from tonight-and play this
game together. Eth; what do you say,
Kate? Come, don't bear malice"
He took step toward her, and put
out his hand, as if to take hers; but
she drew back, and raised her hand,
palm outward, as if to repulse him.
"Don't-don't touch mel" she
breathed, her face white, her eyes
blazing and distended.
What nonsensel" he laughed, bur
uneasily; what's the use of taking
the affair like that? | say we're mar.
ried-you are my wife-there's no
getting over that, and we'd better
make the best of it, Let us shake
hands and-be friends
Stop" she said, drawing herself
TO her full height, and seeming to
tower above him in the dignity of her
/ insulted womanhood. I'VE are mar
ried--I am your wife-I know it; but
me-"
His face flushed, and an evil look
came into his eyes.
You are playing the fool" he said
sullenly. You don't know what you
are saying"
Yes, | know" she said, with long
breath; Il am your wife; it canno,
be undone, but | am not helpless,
am not afraid! Dare touch me with
one finger. and | will rouse the house
and tell the servants all that you
have told me-"
He muttered an oath, and STROBE
toward her; she did not retreat, bu,
laid her hand on the bell, and he
stopped.
They stood looking into each others
eyes for full minute; then she said
in low voice, that sounded harsh and
strained:
You had better leave me; you have
driven me desperate. Utter one more
threat, such as you have used, and !
proclaim the whole story to the world
to Lord Carr-Lyon Co."
He stood for while, irresolute, eye,
ing her savagely; then he shrugged
his shoulders and set his teeth.
You are my wife" he said. breath
ing thickly If you think you are
going to set me at defiance in my own
house"
stand back" she said. slowly. 81
am in your house, but there is,no
servant in it, however mean. who
would not ii he knew all. protect me
and if you lay one finger upon me /
will ring the bell. and expose you.
/ do not touch me-"
/ His hand was almost upon her, his
( lace red with rage and a far worse
passion. Then he stopped and drew
back. and, with an oath. he walked
Quickly from the room.
I Kate stood painting. but no,
trembling. Tor her wrongs had given
( her mOmentary strength and courage.
while one could count twenty: then
she went slowly up to her own room.
The maid. Marie, was waiting for her.
and started as she saw the awful
nall0r of her mistress face