The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-01-30

ana tDe leeDie voice was nhe
trumpet in his ears when IL gasped-
almost with its last breath
Nemesis at lasti"
The paper once read, Jim lost no
time in setting ont for England.
strange to say, he did not first tuih
his steps towards home He had, OF
couse, asked his parents for news or
Marian Summers-thc woman who
must always reign supreme In has
helrt; whom he had loved far too
well--and he had learned that she and
her parents we're living at DirDdale,
when last heard of, now some years
ago. Dirndale was very small town,
and her address would no doubt be
easily obtained. Thither he directed
his steps.
The afternoon Of the morning Of his
arrival at Dirndale found him knock
ing at the door Of Mr.. Summers
modest dwelling. Marian herself
opened It. She gave gasp Of aston
ishment as her eyes feh on the visitor,
and stood before him pale and trem-
bling. No greeting passed between
them.
Marian" he said, calmly. Il have
a few words TO say to you alone.
They arc important"
She mechanically ushcred him into
a small sitting room, and begged him
to be seated. He looked keenly al her
as he sat down by the little center
table. Marian was pretty, fair-haired
girl Of eighteen when he had last
seen her. She seated herself opposite
him, and looked at him in silence.
Marian" he said, my love has
survived your cruel doLbts-it has
lived to bring you the proof of my
innocence" And he drew the manu-
script from his pocket and laid It on
the table between them.
"Oh, Jim!" The old familiar name
she had not uttered for seven years
came naturally TO her lips. 81 am 80
glad, so gladt And so very, very sorry
for the past. Do you forgive me,
Jim?n And she leaned across the Ia
BILE and laid a gentle appealing hand
on his arm, and the blue eyes we're
full of tears.
Forgive met" he said, as he laid
his hand on hers and looked at her
tenderly. Yes. Love forgiyes every
thing"
Her pale face flushed, and she drew
her hand hastily away.
who did it?" she asked, abruptly.
af al nryfI
Kennon."
She gave violent start, and
| clutched the table with both hands.
AS he locked at her blanched faco a
sudden horror stole over him.
Absurd" she said. 'Impossible!"
He pointea to the paper between
them.
There is the confession of his aG-
complice." he said, slowly, "signed
and sworn to in the presence OF a
notary public. Read it,"
She snatched up the document and
| devoured the contents. 1t fell from
her hand when she had finished, and
she laid her head beside IL.
"Oh, God. have mercy upon mel"
she groaned.
What does this mean, Marian?"
She raised her ghastly face; a mad
despair glittered in her eyes.
II am--his wifei" she said
The black cloud enveloped him
once more like pail. He looked at
her for some moments with unseeing
| eyes.
with the money that he STOLE"
| she went on, in a strained, unnatural
voice, he bought his interest in these
works here, and married me. Success
has not attended his efforts; We have
that's why we're sharing this house
with father"
Jim did not speak; he was Just be-
ginning TO struggle out of the dark
ness that lad overwhelmed him.
"Oh, Jim!' she moaned. God for
, give me, can not see it as ! should!
David has been a loving husband to
me, and We have three little children.
Such mites, Jim! Only three, two and
one year old"
And in the midst of his compass
sion for her and the awful shock of
knowing she was irrevocably lost to
him, his heart was crying out
Think of me! l am but twenty
; uine-a man Of integrity and ability
the only child of living parents,
whose trust and devotion have never
wavered. Think of my ruined life!
Think OF their misery! Think of
mine! 1t is right that the guilty-nOt
the innOcent--should suffer"
Thees thoughts burned themselves
into his brain and pierced his heart,
until the agony they occasioned was
almost more than he could bear; but
he set his lips together, and fought II
down in silence.
HAS any one else seen this?" She
gasped.
NO" he said, with painful slow