Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-11-15
By CHARLES CARVlCE
CHAPTER XIV.

putting out his hands as If to ward
off the stern, accusing eyes, and groan
ed. Faradeane flung himself down on
one knee beside the PROSTATE form
and raising her head, looked into hes
face. AS he recognized her he gave
start of surprise, but instantly
placed his hand over her heart. Then
Bradstone.
you have killed her," he said in a
low, hoarse voice.
mo, no!' groaned BARLEY Brad
stone. "She-she is not dead. For
Gods sake don't say that"
"You have killed her!" repeated
Faradeane, grlmly. why did you do
It? What was she to you---"
He stopped, for BARLEY Bradstone
had crawled TO his knees.
"Faradeane, have mercy on me.
have pity" he whined, almost speech
less with terror. Il didn't mean to
--to-kill her, only to stun her-to-
I'll tel! you all, 80 help me Heaven If
you ~ itb lne ~
Faradeane, with Bella's head upon
his knee, held up one hand.
"They will hang you" he said grim
ly. "You are madl What have / TO
do with saving you? You are beyond
help, and you must know It," BARLEY
Bradstone uttered a whine
"Ob my Heaven! What shall | do?
Faradeanol Faradeano! save mel"
Faradeane scarcely needed him; his
brain was whlrling as he loosened the
woman'a collar, and tried to pour
some brandy past her paling lips.
'Saye me, save me, Faradeanel"
cried BARLEY Bradstone in n kind of
suppressed Shrek. 81 can explain
everything, III do anything. I'Il-Tll
oh, Godl IL you won't do II For me,
do It FOR horl Remember whom |
married this morningl"
A quick shudder ran through Tara
deano's veins and the blood left his
face In the horror and the excite.
mont Of the moment he had forgotten
forgotten that this blood-stainol
wretch, who crawled at his feet and
begged like n cur for his life, was the
husband of olivia Vanley The hus.
bnnd
He looked up speechless for mo.
ment
Great Cod | had forgotton!"
dropped from his white lips you
you fond"
"nont-dontN whInod Bartloy.
1-l know all you can say; but-but
If you'd seen how she drove me! She
had no mercy! She drove me TIL |
was madl Yes, that's what | ami"
he gaspod, hoarsely I'm mad! Tell
them Pm madl They can't hang me!
They can't! You said so yourself
Oh, Faradeane, have pity on mo!
Think how young | am! II am no
older than you! Have pity on met"
"Silence!" said Faradeane, and his
voice rose like that of n stern, rolent.
loss Judge 81 am thinking But not
OF You! | am thinking of her of the
girl whose life you have wrecked and
ruined, whose heart you have broken!
Don't speak," He held up his hand
Every word you utter tempts mo to
'oall for someone TO drag YOU away
You the husband or--for your own
sake, don't speak to me-"
BARLEY Bradstone crouchod on the
ground, his hands clutchng at the
grass, his face hidden
"A minute or two passed, as Fara.
deane bent over the pallld face upon
his knees, his own almost rs white,
his heart racked by the awful torture
of the position. An his thought was
OF the sweet, innocent puro,heartod
girl. for whom he would have gladly
laid down his life, and whom this
blood-stained wretch had linked to his
own shaun0ful name.
Then u he looked down upon the
woman, scarcely seeing her he was
recalled to the fact of her presence By
n slight movement of her eyolds.
They opened, For moment there
was nothing but dense shadow over
them; then she recognized him.
"Nou!" she hreathod, with a faint
flicker OF surprise in her face.
He bent down
cit Is J." he said, "My poor Bella!"
The shadow of smile swept over
her face
Poor Bella, oh?" she gasped. so low
taht he could Just hear her and no
more. "Gou-you didn't speak Hike
that last night, Cly' Mol But-but
why am | lying hcra--what's this pain
in my side? Ali" shudder ran
through her; Il remember! ely.
he-he shot me! The coward! the
coward! He didn't give me time! II
he had" She tried TO raise her
arm. ely" and spasm qulvered on
her lips, lam lam going to dlep
Tell mo the-truth? You always did
that"