The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-04-22
CHAPTER xxIv.-tCoutiuuedJ

1t was in altered tones, Tell me what
you wantp Is it money 2
Money! she cried. Money from
you! Lock here" and she tore open
tady's retieule that lay upon the table;
''there are the two hundred dollars you
sent me enclosed in your farewell letter;
look what do with them" And she
tore them into shreds. Here are the
presents you gave me; see what l do
with them And she took out some
trinkets, and crushed them beneath her
feet. Now will you ask me il it Is
money | want Of youf"
Her face was something awful 70 look
upon in its deathIy psllor. and eonvul-
sive quivering. and those glaring eyes.
That man, with all his iron will. quailed
before her.
What DO you want, then?"
Respect, and | viii have H. Let me
refresh your memory. You found me in
a travelling show. I was a mere child
then, possessed OF a strange power over
certain minds--a power that to an am
bilious. INSCRIPTIONS schemer like your
self. might one day prove Invaluable.
You saw no way to use me at the time,
but you were 10th to lose sight Of so adj
mirable an instrument. You worTned
yourself into my confidence, and got
from me that | was discontinued with
a mode Of life which gave me but a
bare living. and flled the pockets OF my
employer. l was vain Of the attention OF
a fine Eentleman-I who had been
brought up in a back alley. You told
my father that II he liked to go to Bury
st. Edmund's you would help to set
him up In business-that you would rec
a
some influence In the neighborhOod."
Have you ever had reason to repent
taking my counsel p
My father hit upon a more easy and
profitable trade than shOemaking." she
went on. not needing the interruption
Had we depended upon your promises,
we might have starved You thought no
more Of them. and years elapsed after
our parting at Spalding before ever
heard anything OF you again One day
we met In the streets OF Bury. Although
years had elapsed, we recognized each
other instantly. You expressed great
delight at the meeting, which certainly
was not feigned, as il gave into your
hands the exact tool you required, to
fashion one Of the most diabolical
schemes that was ever Matched in hu-
man brains. But before you dared to
propose 1t to me Il was necessary to
make me your slave. When you last
saw me | was an ungainly looking. ugly
girl: now | was a well-grown woman
with good looks enough 10 have secured
several offers Of advantageous marriage.
But | was prof d, ambitious; the life
] led. and all its associations, were hate
full to me- longed TO be free or them
all, and | waited and waited. You. with
your hendish cunning. OWNED my secret:
protested love for me. Blinded By am
bitiOn and vanity, | believed you-be-
EeYed that ron, the fine gentleman.
would marry me. But at that time you
simply lied, 10 serve your own purpose
You were very cautious. tOo-you bound
me dowH TO breathe no word OF your
secrets to my father. You said. once
In his power. you would never be free
from his extortions."
silence Numbered RodweI, spring
ing TO his feet
well. enough of that for the pres
ent After the girls flight. you left
Bury, and I did not see you again for a
long. long time. At last. you returned.
SO you have got her into your clutch
again. What is 1t to be this time-mur-
der or marrisgeY
How my heart Ieaped, Could il be
Clara Of whom she was speaking7 The
portrait | had seen in his namesake's
cottage-the likeness to her, forgotten
until that moment, flashed upon me with
the force Of conviction. Oh. how eager
". how breathlessly. listened now,
How dare you speak sueh words TO
me In the presence OF a stranger7T he
cried. You are Eenomous enough To en-
20 aaFnkI{aE IL H..
me-
Il believe You to be capable Of any
crime, John Rodwell." she answered, dis
dainfuliy; although you would give the
preference TO that which compromised
you least"
Suppose admit that Intend TO mar.
~ her. what then r he demanded. bold
ly. You viii seek to thwart meY'
Il keep my intentions 10 myself. But
had forgotten; perhaps you are not
aware ron have q rivalT' she said. mock.
ingly. You would not imagine Mr.
Carston n the character OF gay de-
ceiyer: yet. | can assure ron that, dur
ing short absence from his loving wife.
he was making violent love to Miss
Clara as single gentleman. and not
unsuccessfully. | believe"
MS u no subject to jest upon" he
said. haughtily. DO you mean to ssy
that this fellow has dared"
He advanced menacinRly towards me.
but. weak as ! was. | rose up, and CON
fronted him. | felt no fear Of him. al
though | was too aRitated 10 speak-too
overwhelmed by the thoughts Of nv
worse than powerless position.
He paused: then. with a look OF su
preme scorn. he turned upon his heel ana
addressed Judith. such an object IL too
contemplate to excite anger. However.
presume that for the future ron will
restrain in him such rowing propensl-
ties. more especially after the confidence
you have chosen to reposs in him this
evening. Now let me understand. Do
we part friends or foes p
Il pledge myself to nothing either
way. For years you used me A. a tool.
Now we have the reverse of the medal;
you are utterly within my power. and /
will use that power TO minister solely
20 my own interest. or caprice, as the