Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-11-15

to go near her!"
Faradeane made a gesture of as
sent.
You know it Is that" he said In
low voice. Attempt TO claim her q
your wife''-he seemed scarcely abb
to go on-"and | denounce you! Tha
Is my condition; do you accept 1t
Quick!"
Il accept, accept" painted Brad
stone. Il agree to anything.
swear"-he uttered a frightful oath
I'm do anything, everything you tel
me- he whined.
Faradeane averted his face witt
disgust and loathing.
Your life depends upon It," he said
GO now, and say nothing to anyone
Did anyone see you on your way
here?'
mo, moi"
Answer no questions; keep silence
Now CO." and he pointed towards the
drive.
BARLEY Bradstone took a step, then
with shudder he looked at the still
form at Faradeane's feet.
"There-there's something Of mine
there" he said, hoarsely. Tiff it's
found Pm-I'Ll lost
Take it," responded Faradeane
grimly.
He bent down, then shrank back
shuddering.
Il can't" he gasped. 81 can't
touch her! lists watch and my
| cigarcase---"
Faradeane bent down and reverently
took the things from the dead
woman's pocket, and dropped them at
Bradstone's feet
GO, quick!" he said.
Bradstone snatched at the things,
and turneu; then he stopped and
looked over his shoulder.
"What-what are you going to do?"
he asked, hoarsely II haven't
thanked you; but by Heaven"
What | am going to do rests with
me-" came the stern response. Let
1t be what it may, 1t is not for your
sake, but for her sake!"
He raised his hand again, and Bart
ley Bradstone, with one last parting
glance at the woman he had murdered,
staggered from the glade.
faradeane leaned against tree, and
hid his face in his hands, and thought.
And incredible as it may seem, 1t was
not Of the woman who had ruined his
life and who now lay dead at his feet,
not of the awful peril in which he had
placed himself in shielding the muir
derer, not Of BARLEY Bradsetone; it
was upon Olivia his mind was fixed
Surely never was q woman placed
in a more awful, more heart-rend-
Ing position. The wife of scoun-
drel who had stained his hands with
blood upon her wedding day!
"Oh, my darling, my darling"
broke from his lips in a despairlng
moan Then he let his hands fall and
looked up at the bright sky which
shone through the thick branches Of
the trees. Something can save you
from, something of the shame, the
misery but yet how little, how little:
Oh my darling! my poor poor dur-
ling!' and in his burning eyes the hot
tears gathered-tears wrung from his
heart by the thought of the anguish
which awaited her. Yes, some
thing | can save and | will! | can
save you from him even now! THANK
God, thank God, 1t is not to later
Tho thought restored him somewhat,
and struggling for self-command he
looked around him. A small, shining
object lying on the moss caught his
eyes. 1t was the revolver which had
dropped from Bradstone's nerveless
hand.
Faradeano took 1t up and looked at
1t absently, He thought a moment.
Then he took out his penknife and
scratched some initials on the glitter
ing surface of the weapon.
He glanced down at his clothes as
he did So and shudder ran through
him. Two or three red spotss stared
up at him from his white wristband,
there We're similar spots on his coat
and waistcoat
He dropped on the trunk of the
fallen tree, and with clasped hands
and set face-waited!
And the sun streamed through the
trees brightly the birds fitted over
the accursed spot with joyous trills,
and, but for the music of their song,
the echo of the villagers voices, and
the ringing of the wedding bells, all
was silence.
Olivia started awake with low cry
of fear as Bessies gentle hand and
loving voice aroused her.
It's time, miss" she said, regret.
fully. Pm sorry; waited till the
last moment"
I'm ready" said Olivia rising nala