Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-08-24

Is possible that she would have spoken,
but Notwithstanding the excitement had |
produced one of those hysterical crises |
which were common to her-gently drew |
her, still gazing, back toward the gate. |
The convict's arms fell, and an indefina-
BILE presentiment of evil chilled him as he |
beheld the priest slowly draw the fair |
young creature from out the sunlight into
the grim shadow of the heavy archway. |
For an instant the gloom swallowed
them, and then they passed out of the
prison archway into the free air of heav-
en-and the sunlight glowed golden on
their faces.
you are ill.," said North. "You will
faint. Why do you look 80 wildlyT
"What is it?' she whispered, more in
snswer to her own thoughts than to his
question-"what is it that links me to
that man? What deed-what terror
what memory? l tremble with crowding
thoughts that die ere they can whisper
to me. Oh, that prison"
They reached the house, and he plac-
ed her tenderly In a chair. Now you
are safe, madam, l will leave YOU"
She burst into tears. "Why do you
treat me thus, Mr.. North? What have
done to make you hate meT
Hate your said North, with trem-
bling lips. "Oh, no, do nOt-do not
hate you. l am rude in my speech, alb
rupt in my manner. You must forget
| 1t and-and me-"
A horses feet crashed upon the gravel,
and an instant after Maurice Frere burst
into the room. Returning from the Cas-
cades, he had met Troke, and learned
the release of the prisoner Furious at
this usurpation of authority by his wife,
his self-esteem wounded by the thought
that she had witnessed his mean revenge
upon the man he had so infamously
wronged, and his natural brutality en-
hanced by brandy he had made for the
house at full gallop, determined to as
sert his authority. Blind with rage, he
saw no one but his wife. whats this
l hear? You have been meddling in my
business! You release prisoners
Captain Frere" said North, stepping
forward to assert the restraining pres
ence of a stranger. Frere started, as
tonished at the intrusion of the chaplain.
Here was another outrage of his dig.
nifty, another insult to his supreme au.
thority.
"You here, too! What do you want
here? This is your quarrel is itT His
eyes glanced wrathfully from one to the
other, and he strobe toward North. You
hypocritical, lying scoundrel, If it wasn't
for your black coat, I'd"
Maurice" cried Sylvia, in an agony
N-ttr 20 r11o q
restraining hand upon his arm. HI
turned upon her with so fierce a curse
that North pale with righteous rage
, seemed prompted to strike the burly
, ruflan to the earth. For a moment o.
! two the two men faced each other, ant
, then Frere, muttering threats of ven
geance against each and all-convict
jailers, wife and priest-fung the sup
I plant woman violently from him ant
, rushed from the room. She fell heavil
| against the wall. and as the chaplain
. raised her he heard the hoof strokes o
e the departing horse.
I "Ohw cried Sylvia, covering her fac
I with trembling hands, "let me leave thi
: place"
p North strove to soothe her with in
, | coherent words OF comfort. Dizzy wit
, the blow she had received, she clung t
him, sobbing.. Twice he tried to tea
himself away, but had he loosed hi
| hold she would have fallen. "Wh
| should you be thus tortured?" he cried
Heaven never willed you to be mate
t to that boor-you, whose life should b
3 all sunshine. Leave him-leave hin
D He has cast you off,"
"I am going" she said family. 81 ha
already arranged to CO."
North trembled. They looked at eac
other; she comprehended the "hatred
he had affected for her, and, deadly pail
drew back the cold hand he held.
" "Gov she murmured Leave mi
leave me! Do not see me or speak I
me again."
Ito be continued.)