The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-05-06
CHAPTER XVI

CHAPTER XVI.
With a faint cry. Clara shrank back.
shuddering. whilst | stood motionless for
a moment. transfxed with dismay. gag
ing upon our mutual enemy.
My appearance seems pleasure
more startling than agreeable" said
Judith. with that singing irony that
was TO me worse rlan her most 6endish
mood. 'One would suppose you were
about to leave the house without one
word Of adieu to your host or hostess
But we do not part with our guests so
easily"
Instinctively l had drawn near to
Clara. as though | would protect her.
She had sunk into a chair. trembling,
not daring to cast = glance at Judith,
who had now advanced into the room.
You do not seem 10 be aware, Miss
Clara. that this gentleman aud are
well acquainted. He has not told you
Of our connection. | presumep'
mo, no; for heavens sake, do not tell
her, Il you have any mercy. | implors
Z you" I interrupted. throwing myself up
I on my knees before her.
I l might as well have pleaded to a
/ hungry tigress. Without deigning TO no
/ in the same strain OF cold -blOoded mock
cry. Perhaps you are not aware that
this lover OF yours Is my husband
/ For a moment Clara looked stunned
I bewiIdered. unable to realize the idea
/ those words contained. but as | made
a movement towards her. she uttered
low cry, and shrank covering into
/ corner.
NO. nor exclaimed. in a voice Of
anguish.
4 dare you to deny IT, cried Judith
Deny IT If You can"
l skunk ont Of the room Ike a beaten
/ dog. dared not cast even a look upon
her. The last blow had fallen; and.
most aEonizing thought OF all. felt that
| | had bitterly deserved Il.
Judith led the way downstairs into
my own room, and | mechanically fol
lowed. She reprimanded the nurse. who
awOke in a fright at our entrance, for
her negligence 10 suffering me to leave
the chamber; would not listen for mo-
ment to her protestations, but ordered
her to quit the room.
/ had listlessly sat myself upon the
side OF the bed "Oh, II could but
die | thought.
Judith Eazed at me intently for a mo-
ment, and something almost akin to pity
came into her face at the sight Of my
despair.
"Silas," she said. In a tone different
to any one she had ever used 10 me,
were II not for your conduct to that
girl. could pity you: but you have
behaved 10 her like dishonorabfe sur;
you have gained her affections without
giving her the shadow OF a hint OF your
position"
She paused for moment, and then
said. In low voice:
There has been curse upon me from
my birth. Ny childhood was passed in
squalor and degradation, but my souI
Ioathed my condition. I was exquisite
ly sensitive to ridIcule, and trimming
over with sslf-love. and | was booted
at for my red hair and awkward figure,
and strange eyes. Oh. IL I had known
the power there was in those eyes, what
revenge I would have had upon the
mockers. When my condition was bet
tered. tried hard 70 cast away the pas.
I read. | studied cultivated my mind.
but my associates were changed only
from vagabonds to hypocrites. Then I
began to love him, oh, how I lOyed
him! His love was to carry me away
from all this-to regsnerate me. And
, then he left me, and Satan filed his
place In my soul. There was only one
thing more wanted 10 complete my de
. Rradation-to be despised by you. You
loathe me. and yet you would lag down
your life for that girl In what is she
! 50 much my superior? Were you m
emperor, aud did you love me with yonr
whole heart and soul. could never feel
for you the shadow Of love But still
, / am q woman. You are my husband in
name, at least, and I cannot forgive
/ your hatred Of me-"
"Wreak what vengeance you please
upon me; there Is no suffering thut I
D cannot endure for her sake-to save
! her" | pleaded.
How fortunate Il il that have a soul
I above jealousy, or your passionate pray
6 ers might have quite an opposite effect
? upon me-" she said, sarcasticaliy. Then
{ with a change OF tone, Acknowledge
/ me as your wife before this woman
E who will be here In the morning. and
. will save this girl. and thus be reYsnged
: I would have informed her grandfather
Z OF her whereabouts, and q great desl
more, the moment I heard OF II, had II
a not suited me to keep her here as an In
Htrument against you. Render her use
, less to me By eonsenting to my wishes
{ and II win suit my purpose TO RELEASE
I her. You know that / could force you
10 do this or anything | pleased" che
addsd. imperiously. without any such
aid, n chose. Now, will you do What
> 4 q -. iii 49,