The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-01-05
CHAPTER NyyI.

CHAPTER NXvI.
With n faint cry. Clara shrsnk brck,
shuddering. whilst l stood motionlcss for
n moment. transixcd with dismay, saz-
Ing upon our mutual enemy.
My appearance seems n pleasure
more startling than agreeable" said
Judith. with that singing irony that
was 20 me worse nan her most icndish
mood. "Onc would suppose you were
about 20 leave the house without one
word OF ndicu TO your host or hostess.
But we do not part with our guests no
easily"
Instinctively I had drawn near 20
Clara. ns though I would protect her.
She had sunk into n chair. trembling.
not daring 10 cast n glance nj Judith.
who had now advanced into the room.
"You do not seem 10 be aware. Miss
Clara, that this gentleman and | are
well acquainted. lie has not told you
OF our connection. / ~presumer'
"No. no; for heavens sake, do not tell
her. II you have any mercy, ] implore
you!' l interrupted. throwing myself up
on my knees before her.
might rs well have pleaded 90 n
hungry tigrcss. Without deigning 20 no.
tice my supplication. she still went on.
In the same strain OF cold.bloodcd mock
cry. perhaps you nre not aware that
this lover OF yours Is my husband!'
For n moment Clara looked stunned.
bcwildcred. unable 10 realize the idea
those words contained; but rs ] made
a movement towards her. she uttered a
low cry. and shrank covering into n
corner.
"No. nor ! exclaimed. In a voice OF
anguish.
81 dare you to deny H." cried Judith.
"Deny IL II you CAM
I skunk out OF the room Ike a beaten
dog. I dared not cast even n look upon
her. The last blow had fallen: md.
most aIonizing thought OF all. I felt that
! had bitterly deserved Il.
Judith lei the way downstairs into
my own room, and ! mechanically fol-
lowed. She rcprimanded the nurse, who
awoke In n fright NJ our entrance. for
her negligence In suffering me 10 leave
the chamber: would not listen for n mo-
ment 20 her protcstationS, but ordered
her 20 qui, Tire room.
/ had listlcssly sat myself upon the
side OF the bed. "Oh. IL I could but
die" I thought.
Judith gaEed ne mo ~intcntly for a mo-
ment. and something almost akin TO pity
came into her face at the sight OF my
despair.
"Silas.' she said. in n tone different
TO any one she had ever used 20 me,
"wcre Il not for your conduct 20 that
girl. I could pity you; hut you have
behaved 90 her like n dishonorable cur:
you have gained her affections witllut
giving her the shadow OF n hint OF your
position"
She paused for a moment, and then
said. In a low voice:
There has been y curse upon me from
my birth. My childhood was passed In
squalor aud degradation. but my soul
loathed my condition. | was exquisite
~ sensitive 10 ridiculc. aud Drumming
over with self-loye: and l was booted
az for my red hair. and awkward figure.
and strange eyes. Oh. if I had known
the power there was In those eyes, what
a revenge ] would have had upon the
Knockers. When my condition was bet
tered. I tried hard 10 cast away the past.
I read, l studied. | cultivated my mind.
but ny associates were changed only
from vagabonds to hypocritcs. Then I
began 20 love him! oh. how l loved
him! His love was 10 carry me away
from all this--to regcnsrate me. And
then he left me. and Satan filed his
place In my soul. There was only one
thing more wanted tn complete my de
gradation-to he ecspised by you. You
loathe me. and yet you would lay down
your life for that grill In what h she
50 much my superior? Were you an
emperor. and did you love me with your
whole heart and soul. l could never feel
for you the shadow OF love. But still
/ am n woman. You are my husband In
namc. ut least. and l cannot forgive
your hatred OF me-"
"wseak what vengeance ron please
upon me: there Is no suffering that I
cannot endure for her sake--to save
her." ] pleaded.
How fortunate Il II that I have n soul
above Jealousy. or your passionate pray
err might hnye quite an opposite effect
upon me-" she said. sarcastically. Then,
with n change OF tone. Acknowledge
me as your wife before ills woman.
who will be here in the morning. and /
will save this girl. and thus be- rcvensed.
I would have informed her grandfather
OF her whereabouts. and n great deal
more. the moment | heard OF IL. had Il
not suited me 10 keep her here as an IN.
strument against you. Render her use
less 10 me by cousenting 10 my wishes,
and IL will suit ny purpose TO release
her. You know thit | could force you
20 do this or ~ thing | pleased." she
added. imperiousiy. without my such
cid. IL { chose. Now. win you do what
l require. or viii YOU notY'
~ winF' ! answered firmly. What