Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-20

said. you may as well strike me as look
at me like that If you use violence you
may obtain possession of the telegram.
But warn you that shall not yield with
out a struggle that will arouse the whole
hotel. I am not coming with you, and we
part here and now. Oh, am not in the
least afraid.
Just at that moment 1t looked as II the
scene of violence would take place. With
an oath Richford grasped the girl by the
wrist and drew her to him. A blow full in
the face would have laid her senSeless at
his feet, then he could have helped him
self to that priceless telegram But Rich
ford had been in the world long enough to
know how to control his temper when 1t
suited him to do so. He forced something
in the semblance of a smile to his lips.
Don't let US discuss this question like
two silly children he said. "You have
fairly caught me out. l did go to your
reason why I should see him. We need not
go into that now, for it was purely on mat
tiers of business. If you ask me how I got
into that room when the door was locked,
ing you and setting up house Of my own.
had that suite of rooms"
'Is all this material to our discussion?"
Beatrice asked coldly.
Eyes, I think At any rate I never
gave up the suite of rooms and the keys
are still in my possession. That Is how I
got in to see your father without anybody
being the wiser. was going to show him
your hands. But I found that Sir Charles
was dead. and 1t was great shock to me.
I must have dropped that telegram in my
agitation and forgotten 1t. So far you fol-
low me, do you not?"
IT follow YOU" Beatrice said bitterly II
quite understand; l admire your restraint
and your cunning. You reasoned it all out in
a flash. If you raised the alarm everybody
would have known the truth in a few min
utes. And that being so, there would have
been no marriage. You took all the risks.
and fortune favored the bold as fortune al
ways does. Nothing happened until 1t was
too late and l was married to you. But
there Is one thing you failed to reckon
upon-that my father is no longer pawn
in the game"
Beatrice was speaking quietly and stead
her hands now. And Richford had never
coveted her SO passionately he did at
this moment when he realized that she was
lost to him forever.
MY fathers death leaves me free" the
girl went on. HE is dead and nobody can
touch him. If he had died yesterday the
match would have been broken off, as you
know. was prepared to take my chance.
If this vile thing had not happened. then
1 should have respected my wedding vows
and made you as good wife as could.
should have hated and loathed it, but I
should have become accustomed to it in
time. But this vile action Of yours makes
all the difference. When You and I part
after this painful conversation, we part for
GOOD. we snail De talked ABOUT, Cnere VIII
be lot of idle gossip. but care nothing
for that And If you raise hand, If you
try to use the law your side. I produce
that telegram and tell my story"
Again the look of mingled rage and terror
came into Richford's eyes.
you talk like a fool" he said hoarsely.
what can you possibly do to get living?
You are my wife: you can never marry
anybody so long l am alive. You are
very pretty, but you have been brought up
to be utterly useless"
1T have strength and courage" Beatrice
replied, land they are worth a good deal.
can go into shop If the worst comes to
the worst. My relatives. the Rashbor-
oughs-
Lady Marlborough will turn her back
on you il you do this She will be furious -
"Well, then, I must depend upon my
self. But you are not going to say any
thing-for some reason you are too fright
ened to say anything"
And all the wedding presents, the dia-
monds and the like?' Richford asked fee
bly,
1.-THE wedding presents will go back to
the senders. There is a plain clothes police
man keeping guard over them now-your
diamonds are among the lot I will see
that they are safely sent to you. And do
not know that need say any more"
Beatrice had reached the corridor by this
time. She was passing Richford with her
head in the air. 1t came to him suddenly
that he had lost everything. that he was
baffied and beaten. In sudden spasm of
rage he caught the girl by the shoulders in
q savage grip. She gave a little moan Of