Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1905-06-08
CHAPTER xl.-continued.

that all was yet contingent upon my
lady's viewing of the proposal. That
l could win her over had some hope.
if only they would leave the task for
me- But there was room to fear that
this poor miser father would make 1t
all thing of property and so provoke
her to resistance. And, notwithstand-
ing what he said-that she would do as
she was bid thought knew her tenn
per we'll enough to prophesy hltcn.
For l made sure of one thing, that If
she put her will against the world. the
world would never move her.
Twas past midnight, with Tybee doz-
ing in his chair, when next heard
some STRINGS in the corridor. AS be-
fore, it was the lifting of the wooden
bar that reused my friendly guard.
and when he went to parley at the
door l stood apart and turned my back.
When | looked again my company
was come. AT the table. busted with a
ducal title deed for size, stood Gilbert
Stair and the factor lawyer, Owen
Pengarvin. A little back of them the
good old Father Matthew had Margery
on his arm. And in the corner TSbee
stood To keep the door.
/ grouped them all in one swift eye
sweep. and having listed them. strove
to read some essoning of my part in
my dear lady's face. She gave me
nothing of encouragement nor yet a
cue of any kind to lead to what 1t was
that she would have me to say or do.
AS | had seen 1t last. under the light of
the f1aring torches in the room below.
her face was cold and still; and She
was standing Notionless beside the
priest. looking straight at me, 1t seem
ed with eyes that saw nothing.
1t was the factor-lawyer who broke
the silence, saying, with his predeter-
mined smirk that the parchment was
ready for my signature. Thinking 1t
we'll beneath me to measure words with
this knavsh pettifogser, looked be-
You'd him and spoke to his master.
II would have word or two IN priv
ate with your daughter before this
matter ripens further. Mr.. Stair" l
said.
My lady dropped the priests arm and
came to stand beside me In the win
dow bay / offered her chair but she
refused to sit. There was so little time
to spare that ! must needs begin with
out preliminary.
What has your father told you.
Margery?'' ! asked.
He tells me nothing that l care to
know
but he has told you what you must
do?"
Yes She looked with eyes that
saw me not.
and you are here to do 1t of your
own free will?"
No"
yet 1T must be done"
$50 he says. and so you say. But
had rather die.
"'Tis not pleasing thing. ] grant
you. Margery; Notwithstanding. of our
two evils it is by far the less. Be
think you moment; tbs but the say
Ing of few words by the priest. and
while till you can change 1t for a bet
ter.
Her deep-welled eyes met mine. and
in them was flash of anger.
lis that what marriage means tc
you. Captain Ireton?"
mo truly. But we have no choice
IT'S this or ] must leave you In the
morning to worse things than the bear
ing of my name. ! would 1t had not
thus been thrust upon US, but coulc
see no other way"
See what comes of tampering Will
the truth" she said. and / could SCI
her short lip curl with scorn. ''Wh,
should you lie and lie again, when an.
one could see that it must come to Thu
or worse?"
II saw 1t not" ! said. but had
stopped 10 look DtNO1lu til't IlIOIitul
need and seen the end from the begin
ming. ! fear should have lied yet othel
times Your honor was at stake. deal
lady"
My honor."-this in bitterest irony
"Mhat is a womans honor, sir, when
you or any man has patched and sewec
and sought 10 make it whole again?
will not say the word you'd have mi
say.
But you must say it. Margery TIL
but the nerest form; You forget tina
YOU will lie wife only In name.
I shall not live TO make you rue 1t.
You make me rue 1t now. before
hand. Mon i)ieu, is a woman but ;
thing to stand before the priest ant
plight her troth for interest form?
You'll make me hate you while live
and after"
You'd hate me worse, Margery dear
If ! should leave you drowning I'm thu
ditch. And / can bear your hatred TO
some few hours. knowing that If
\ sinned and robbed you. did maxi
4 restitution as | could. "
4 She heard me through with eyelid
| down and some fierce storm of passion
1 shaking her And when she answered
4 her voice was low and soft, yet 1t Gu
/ me like a knife.
You drive me to it-llsten, sir, yo'
1 drive me to 1t. And l have said that
4 shall hate you for 1t. Come: tbs but
+ mockery. as You say; and they ar
/ waiting
l sought to take her hand and lea
4 her forth, but this she would not suf
4 fer She walked beside me. proud an
| cold and scornful stood beside m
4 while / sat and read the parchmen
over. 1t was no marriage settlement
/ it was will. drawn out in legal form
i And in 1t ] bequeathed to Marger
4 Ireton as her true jointure, not an
/ claim of mine to Appleby Hundred bu
4 the estate itself.
read ii through as have said. anc
looking across to these two plotters
the lnser- master and his henchmar
smiled as had never thought to sinil
/ again.
so" said l. the truth is ont at las
wondered If the confscation act ha
left you wholly scatheicss. Mr. Stail
Well am content | snail die tn
easier for knowing that | have lain
guest in my own house. Give me tn
pen"
Twas given quietly. and signed tn
i will, With Tybee and the lawyer 70
4 the witnesses, Margery standing b
! the while and looking on: though no
1 made sure, With any realizing of th
business matter.
H. w men all Was uoIe lHe priest IOul
his book and vie stood before him
the woman who had sworn to hate. an
| the man Who loving her to full for
getfulness of death itself, must yet
cold and formal. masking his love 70
her dear sake, and for the sake of 10y
atty to his friend. And here agai
twas Tybee and the lawyer who wer
the witnesses. the one Well hated, an
the other loved If but for this; tina
when the time came for the giving {
the ring he drew 81 gold band from hi
little finger and made me take it an
use II.
And so that deed was done in som
such sorry fashion as the time an
place constrained, and had you stoo
rf