The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-05-05

inquired.
EYES," she answered, shuddering.
This evening, 40 was sitting at the
window watching the sunset, heard
my door open, and there, standing upon
the threshold, I turned and, saw him
and that awful woman. screamed with
terror, aud then the room seemed to
swim round, and almost tainted"
2 And what did they want Of you7"
sCouain John pretended to be very
much In love with me, and proposed that
we should marry. He said that he had
come from my grandfather, who was
very angry at my fight, and who would
never forgive me but upon those terms;
but that II consented, We should at
once return to Rose Cottage. and all
would be. forgiven"
The door was suddenly burst open.
Judith appeared
CHAPTER XVI. s
With a faint cry, Clara shrank back,
shuddering, whilst stood motionIess for
moment, transfxed with dismay. gag
ing upon our mutual. enemy.
Ny appearance seems a pleasure
more startling than agreeable" said
Judith, with that singing irony that
was to me worse than her most nendish
mood. Zone 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" e
Instinctively I had drawn near to
Clara, a. though would protect her.
She had sunk into a chair, trembling,
not daring to cast q glance at Judith.
who had now advanced into the room.
"You do not seem to be aware, Miss
Clara, that this gentleman and I are
well acquainted. He has not told you
Of our connection, presumer
"No, no; for heavens sake, do not tell
her, If you have any mercy, I impiore
your interrupted, throwing myself up
ON my knees before her.
might a. well have pleaded to q
hungry tigress.' Without deigning to no
tice my supplication, she. still went on,
In the same strain Of cold-blooded mock
cry. Perhaps you are not aware that
this lover Of yours ID my husband!'
For a moment Clara looked stunned,
bewildered, unable to realize the idea
those words contained: but a. I made
a movement towards cher. she uttered a
low CRY, and shrank covering into q
corner.
"No. nor exclaimed, In a voice Of
anguish.
II dare you to deny itr' cried Judith.
Deny It If you can!"
skunk out Of the room like q beaten
dog. l dared not cast even 4 look upon
her. The last blow had fallen; and,
most agonixing thought Of all, felt that
/ had bitterly deserved It.
Judith led the way downstairs into
my own room, and mechanically fol-
lowed. She reprimanded the nurse, who
awoke In fright at our entrance, for
her negligence In 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 I could but
diew I thought.
Judith gazed at me intently for 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 to me,
"were it not for your conduct to that
girl. I could pity you: but you have
behaved to her like a dishonorable cur:
you have gained her affections without
giving her the shadow Of hint of your
position"
Shs paused for moment, and then
said. In low voice:
There has been a curse upon me from
my birth. My childhood was passed in
squalor and degradation, but my soul
loathed my condition. was exquisite.
ly sensitive to ridicule, and brimmina
over with self-love: and I was hooted
at for my red hair. and awkward figure
and strange eyes. Oh. II l 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 to cast away the past
l read, studied, cultivated my mind
but my associates were changed only
from vagabonds to hypocrites. Then
began to love him! Oh, how loved
him! His love was to carry me away
from all this-to regenerate me. Ant
then he left me, and Satan filed his
place in my soul.fy There was only ons
thing more wanted to complete my de
gradation-to be despised by you. 70,
loathe me, and yet you would lay dowr
your life for that girl! In what is sh.
so much my superior? Were you al
emperor. and did you love me with you
whole heart and soul. could never fee
for you the shadow of love. But still
/ am woman. You are my husband il
name, at least, and / cannot forgiv,
your hatred of me-"
| "Wreak what vengeance you pleas,
upon me; there Ii no suffering that
cannot endure for her ssake--to saw,
herr pleaded.
| "How fortunate It II that have sou
above Jealousy, or your passionate pray
ers might have quite an opposite effec
upon me-" she said, sarcastically. Then
with q change Of tone. "Acknowledg,
me a. your wife before this woman
who will be here in the morning. and
win save this girl, and thus be revenged
would have informed her grandfathe
Of her whereabouts, and q great dea
more, the moment / heard Of It had
not suited me to keep her here a. an in
strument against you. Render her use
less to me By consenting to my Wishes
and It viii suit my purpose to releas
her. You know that could force 70,
10 do this or anything pleased" sh