The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-05-13
CHAPTER xXIy.-(Continued.)

II was in altered tones. ''Tell me what
you want? Is it money 7"
Money! she cried. Money from
YOU! Look here" and she tore open
iady's reticule that lay upon the table;
"there are the two hundred dollars you
sent me enclosed in your farewell. letter;
look what I do with theml" And she
tore them into shreds. Here are the
presents you gave me; see what do
with themw And she took out some
trinkets, and crushed them beneath her
feet. "Now will you ask me if 1t Is
money l want of you"
Her face was something awful to look
upon in it's deathly pallor, and convul7
sive uuivering, and those glazing eyes.
That man, with all his iron will, quailed
before her.
what do you want, thenT" ..-,...
Respect, and will have 1t. Let me
refresh your memory. You found me in
a travelling show. / 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 ad-
mirable an instrument You worrned
yourself into my confidence, and got
from me that l was discontinued with
q mode Of life which gave me but
bare living, and filed the pockets Of my
employer. I was vain of the attention of
a fine gentleman who had been
brought up In a back alley. You told
my father that If he liked to go to Bury
st. Edmund's you would help to set
him up in business-that you would rec
ommend him custom, as you possessed
some influence in the neighborhood."
"Have you ever had reason to repent
taking my counselT
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 it gave into your
hands the exact tool you required, to
fashion one of the most diabolical
schemes that was ever Matched in hui
man brains. But before you dared to
propose it to me 1t was necessary to
make me your slave. When you last
saw me l was an ungainly looking, Ugly
girl; now I was a well-grown woman,
with good looks enough to have secured
several offers of advantageous marriage.
But l was proud, ambitious; the life
I 1n6 oil hofa
full to mel longed to be free of them
all, and l waited and waited. You, with
your fendish cunning OWNED my secret;
professed love for me. Blinded by am
bition and vanity, ! believed you-be-
heVed that you, the fine gentleman,
would marry me. But at that time you
simply lied, to serve your own purpose.
You were very cautious, too-you bound
me down 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 Rodwell, spring
ing to his feet.
"Well, enough of that for the pres
emit After the girls fight, you left
Bury, and did not see you again for
long, long time. At last, you returned.
30 you have got her into your clutch
again. What is it to be this time-mur-
der or marriage?"
How my heart leaped! Could 1t be
Clara of whom she was speaking? The
portrait | had seen in his namesakes
cottage-the likeness to her, forgotten
until that moment, flashed upon me with
the force of conviction. Oh. how eager
'y, how breathlessly, listened now!
How dare you speak such words to
me in the presence Of a stranger?' he
cried. You are venomous enough to en-
deaVor to establish such a charge against
mep'
Il believe you to be capable of any
crime, John Rodwell," she answered, dis
painfully; although you would give the
preference to that which compromised
you least"
Suppose admit that intend to mar
~ her, what then2" he demanded, bold
V. You will seek to thwart meY'
Il keep my intentions to myself. But
had forgotten; perhaps you are not
aware you have riSal?'' she said, mock
ngly. "You would not imagine Mr..
Carston in the character of a gay de-
ceiVer; yet, | can assure you that, dur
90 " SMUT dDSeuCe lFOH MS loving wire,
ne was making violent love to Miss
Clara as single gentleman, and not
unsuccessfully, l believe"
This is no subject to Jest upon," he
sald' haughtily. do you mean to say
mat this fellow has dared"
He advanced menacingly towards me;
out weak as | was, rose up, and con-
tronted him. l felt no fear of him, al
though | was too agitated to speak-too
overwhelmed by the thoughts of my
worse than powerless position.
he paused; then, with a look of su-
preme scorn. he turned upon his heel and
addressed Judith. Such an object is too
Sontemptihle to excite anger. However.
1 presume that for the future you will
restrain in him such rowing propensi-
oes' more especially after the confidence
you nave chosen to repose in him this
evening. Now let me understand. Do
we part friends or foes?"
- pledge myself to nothing either
Ny For years you used me as a tool
No" we have the reverse of the medal;
S H;u are utterly within my power, and l