Catoctin clarion., 1905-06-15
lRMONT FREDERICK COUNTY, MD, JUNE 1905.

she was confident would meet with u
rebuff that would only add to the an.
noyance and danger Of the situation.
For he Is an ugly man and coarse be-
yond expression, though seemingly
honest and very determined in his
wishes. So, when she saw me sunk In
despair and anxious for DEATH she did
not attempt to reason with me, but
rather humored me in my dctermina-
ton, promising me an effective poison,
while secretly resolved upon furnish
ing me with drug that merely simu-
lated death. For If she could show me
to this Montelli in state that forbade
all further hope OH his part, she
thought his prosecutions might cease
and that we might obtain the oppor-
tunity for escape which seemed our
only security. But when the drug hav-
ing worked, she let the miserable crea.
ture in and showed him the result of
his importantly and my distress, he
was so overcome by what he pleased
to call the beauty of my face that his
passion took new turn, and he only
thought of having my picture painted.
and, by means of its exhibition. reap
that fortune from my features which
he had failed to obtain from my voice.
at makes ME blush TO tell you this.
but Annetta felt powcrless to refuse
him. SO merely clicitng from him
the promise that he would leave me
hereafter undisturbcd, she accepted
from him the money which was neccs-
sary to robe the couch as he desired,
and perpared to receive you, whom
he designated as the artist he meant to
employ. That | should wake, she
knew; but she trusted that we should
find you gentleman, and we have.
so much SO that | do not believe you
will betray us, even if this fanatic in
slsts upon having painting completed
from this sketch"
"A painting? He shall never have
the sketch cvenw exclaimed young De
graw. "See your features in the grasp
Of a coarse man anxious to make
money by exposing them to public
view! Never! Not if l have to dc.
stroy-'
Don't" she cried, grasping his hand
in hers. for he had made movement
as If to tear the drawing he had made.
He is a dangerous man. Annetta says
he Is not to be trusted. If he detects
the deception to which this old friend
- hn. ,l,;A.t,l him, u-hnf
We not expect in the way of persccu-
ton? Indeed. dare not trust myself
to this unknown mans mcrcies. |
would rather he thought me dead
till"
It'll WHAT"
It'll | can fly his reach or so merge
myself in some other identity that he
will never dare approach me again
either as lover or Il friend
pretty coward! And 50 you will not
trust me to manage this man. l do
not fear him.
You are not Il woman"
"Truc. Well, will humor this whim.
| will take the picture, and tomorrow
Annctta may send him to my studio
Meantime. may | hope that YOU Will
sleep swcctly. and without fear:'
"Oh," she murmurcd. as she caught
his look, 50 Enthusiastically full of sup
pressed love; "how can thank You
for your sympathy? How can | re-
ward you for your goodncSS:'
"By such Sleep he answered. And
taking hG hand in his. he carried 1t
to his lips, when. suddenly, from the
doorway communicating with the other
room, a voice penetrated harshly
through the apartment, crying, with
a marked foreign accent:
And who may you be, sir, and what
is your business hcreE'