The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-17
AT THE PISTOLS POZNI3~Conhnued From Page Two

depriving her almost of consciousness.
But the determined men knew no halt
ing. They had fixed upon their purpose.
and would adhere to it. The purplish
rage of John warned me that the fin
ger that rested on the trigger of the re-
voIver would certainly pull if L did not
obey.
1t flashed over me that the best thing
/ could do for the girl and myself was to
submit A marriage cf that kind com
PEELED to be gone through at the point of
all in the eyes of the law. I knew that
il could be annulled without difficulty
Yet it CALLED me to stand there, the
helpless victim Of the rage and mistake
Of these men.
Stand her by his side" said the par
son coldly.
Hold him" added John. lowering his
pistol and stepping up to the girl.
mo, no! For God sake. llsten" she
cried, leaping from her crouching posi-
ton on the floor and standing erect be-
fore her tormentors.
She threw aside her veil. and / saw
with some surprise that she was very
young and very beautiful. There was
none of the fiirt in her face. 1t was now
stained with tears and distorted with
anguish, but even in that uncertain light
1 knew that she was not the Maynard
creature they had made her out to be.
Comet" said John roughly, taking
her by the arm I'VE will soon be rid
of your
"Oh, I'll goI" she sobbe6 violently.
'I'I go! I won't come back to annoy
you! But not thisi Don't drag an limo
cent man into the trouble"
A harsh laugh came from John, and
the parsons thin white lips were drawn
more tightly together.
AN innocent man would not be In
this church with his arms around you, "
he said coldly Come! We are doing
that which is best for your own good.
You have been meeting this man clan
destinely. You were about to run off
with him. Well, yo" have chosen and
you shall have your choice. But when
you leave here you will leave as a wife.
Come"
The girls frame shook with the vio-
lence Of her sobbing. She was clearly
almost beside herself
Her 1.-THE body swayed to and fro as
she looked helplessly upon her accusers.
When her eyes met mine a great, heart
broken cry went up and she staggered to
the pulpit and leaned against it,
oh, why did you come? Why did
you Gomez" she gasped.
IN! why did he?" echoed the par
son. Join hands"
mo. Oh no." cried the girl, wringing
hers in agony "Oh, uncles, you are do
ing wrong. You are committing a
crimer'
In the sight of God we are loing
well" said the parson solemnly.
Beatrice 1 put in. not knowing what
other rame to call her. be calm. These
men, ii they are your uncles. are no
doubt doing what they consider best.
They are now inhamed with passion be-
cause you have perhaps deceived them a
little. That 1 am not the man in the
case does not seem to make any differ
ence to them. They are mad. But with
revolvers at our heads we must submit.
l am an honorable man. / shall not
seek to annoy you or take advantage OF
this gross and ridiculous error. This
marriage can easily be set aside and at
once. You shall go free. No harm will
come of it. We must let these madmen
have their way"
Now We are listening to good sense, -
said the parsOn grimly. 1T really mat
tiers not whether you set the marriage
aside or not. The thing is. that she
must be your wife before she leaves this
place in your company. When We have