The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-11-21


dent to me in spite Of my agony Of
bewilderment. Thief, murderer, adult
terer-I was thus to be proclaimed TO
the world and to my wife and child.
But the woman who held me in her
tolls had said she would save mel In
what wayl Not out Of tenderness and
Ipity, but out Of hate and scorn. What
course was to be dictated BY these
sentiments?
"You understand mel" she asked.
| ut is necessary that you should tell
/ me that you understand me-"
80 far" said, Il understand you
II am about to dictate terms. Ny
silence, my mercy, must be purchased.
/ / have set price and terms upon
them"
She forced me to reply, keeping
silence till spoke.
"Let nee know what they areY'
'..That is sensibly spoken. In the
murdered mans dispatch box there
EsWere five thousand pounds. I must
lhave that money"
II have not got it."
Nonsense! must have it.s
Il have not got it."
Swear by the living God"
! II swear by the living GodF'
| She laughed mockingly. But, my
dear sir, my innocent, virtuous gentle
| man, money must have. You drew
| from the bank today $1,000 I must
| have that. 1t is in this room All.
| there is d safe in the corner! You keep
| your precious things in It. Your eyes
are wandering toward it now. And
these two keys upon the table why, as
| / am an honest woman. they must be
the keys Of the safei / wonder, now.
| IL could unlock it!g
allowed her to do as she would.
| She unlocked the safe, and drew there
| from two bags Of gold, 500 aoyereigns
Ia each
II sell you your life for the gold in
these bags, she said. rs it agreed ?"
n / nodded vacantly NY senses were
numbed If | could have poured out
Ismy slife's blood to save from sorrow
and shame my darling wife and daugh.
ter, gladly would have shed it. What,
then, in comparison, were these bags Of
gold?
ut is fortunate" she said, "that You
were paid in gold. I should have re
fused bank notes, and then you would
have been on the straight road to the
gallows. But there is another condi.
ton: Your life is not worth a mo-
ment's purchase if you decline it. You
win go from this house tonight within
the hour, and you will never set foot
in it again. Where you go to do not
care; disappear, drown yourself, hang
yourself; it will not matter to me. If
you refuse to obey me, if ever you seek
again the society of your wife and
daughter, they and all the world shall
be made acquainted with your crimes.
That is my revenge; as sweet to me-
alb, sweeter anSmoney. You would
have driven me forth. drive you
forth. So long as you are in hiding
in any part of the world you like you
are safe. Do you agree?"
II must agree"
s"Then there is nothing more to be
said" She moved toward the door,
opened it. and spoke to me from that
spot. Every word Of her kissing voice
fell clear upon my senses, although she
spoke in tone so low that it could
not travel to any other part of the
house. II shall watch that you keep
your word. hate you and yours!
Violate the conditions have imposed,
and / will bring your lady wife and
daughter to the cutters. / will hunt
and pursue and expose them, so that
they shall never know moments
peace. You know what you have to
expect. Goodnight"
She was gone, and / was alone.
Well did / know that she would put
her threats into execution if l did not
keep faith with her. And was il not
better, apart from this, that should
disappear from the sight of those
loved and never see them again? Was
it possible, knowing what / knew
knowing that was a murderer-that
1 could ever allow them to place their
innocent lips to my guilty ones, that I
could ever gaze into their dear, inn0-
cent eyes without shuddering? True,
felt that / had sinned unconsciously,
but the guilt was no less mine than if
I had done the deed in the broad light
OF day, with all my senses about me.
Yes, ! must go; from this home to
which / had brought my young wife,
in which my dear child had been born,
in which we had enjoyed a heaven Of
happiness. l must go, ana live hence
forth dead life.
TTo io canffnuod