Mexico Missouri message., 1906-05-24
lcOpyTight, BY The cassell Publishing Coz
CHAPTER XXIII.-CoNTNUED.

CHAPTER AAIII.-CONTINUED
{" I'VE must know before we begin busI-
Aess,' returned Mr.. FetrIdge. I agreed 10
this place. sou know, because there seemed
to be absolutely no danger Of our being
overheard or interrupted. And Stackhouse
Is the very man of all others whom wished
to avoid. Is there no possibility that he has
been warned OF this conference2
- None returned my father. I give you
my word OF honor, Mr. Fetridge that 1
have not mentioned a syllable Of this af
fair to a living SOUL
And then heard them coming upstairs.
understood from what they said that
they intended to search the house. ran
Up as lightly as 1 could and locked myself
into a clothes-press in my own room.
They afterward came to the door OF my
room, but evidently had already concluded
that there was no intruder in the house.
when was sure that they had gone
down again, / stole from the room, and
took up a position on the stairs between
the second and third floors did not dare
TO go any nearer, but as they were in the
library. the door Of which was Open /
could hear plainly everything that was
said
Il soon distinguished woman's voice.
and realized that she had been admitted
to this mysterious conference between
Richard Fetridge and my father This was
the woman, did not doubt, who had sent
me the anonymous letter, for did not see
how anybody else could be aware Of the
appointment at this house"
Richard Fetridge interrupted the
reading at this point by breaking a
paper ruler which he had been con-
viIlsively twisting in his hands as if he
fancied his fingers were about the
throat Of the treacheous Marie.
Curse the woman!" he cried. Curse
crafty her own cunning instinct OF
revenge. She betrayed my confidence.
She was not satisfied with what prom
ised her. If had known that night
that she had dared to do TT"
"Humph!" said Thomas. "If man
enters into an alliance with such a
woman, what can he expectT
Fetridge buried his face in his hands
and did not reply. The reading con-
tinued:
II soon learned who she was and why
she was here, and what Richard Fetrsdge
had to say that he was afraid Thornton
stackhouse might overhear. The woman'H
name was stated as Marie Moissot, though
It was admitted that she.was now living
under an alias. 1t appeared from the con-
versation that she had accidentally dis
covered the identity Of Thornton Stack
house with the Albert Runyon for whom
she had long been searching, some weeks
before. and had only been prevented from
creating a scandal by the Intervention OF
Richard FehidRc. who had pacified her
by agreeing to eifectuaily ruin him, II she
would consent to forego the malicious
pleasure OF involving the family in the dis
grace OF public scandal
I'm this paper. which I design TO be a
simple statement OF facts, I do not wish to
parade my own sufferings or emotions.
But II IL necessary to say that had never
loved my husband that ! had married
only because / became engaged 10 him In
a moment Of foolish pique, and my pride
was too great to admit Of my breaking that
engagement. This imperious passion,
which had already wrecked my happiness,
was the hateful thing that was wounded
outraged, stung 10 fury by the revelations
which now overheard j saw that Marie
Moissot, with the natural suspicious OF an
interruptions person. mistrusted Mr.. Fet-
ridges Intention perhaps his ability to
hasten the complete downfall OF Thornton
stackhouse, ana had, therefore, written
TO me. 1t is only oflate that have thor
Uughly realized how maliciousiy shreWd
she was In assuring herself that ! should
become acquainted with the facts.
"And these are the revelations that made
my ears Jingle my heart beat like trim
hammer, and my finger nails to indent
themselves into the palms OF my hands
that filed me for the time with the in
stincts OF the murderess, and made my
blood boil with indignant hatred. Thorn
ton Stackhouse was the assumed name OF
an adventurer. Albert Runyon. who6e legal
wife and children were still living IN New
Orleans who had deserted them to go with
Marie Moissot. a fascinating Creole, at that
time but 1e years old, to Montreal, only 20
desert her in turn. and 70 come at last 10
MEL
This was the man for whom / had
wrecked my life broken two hearts, and
aea.ed the warrant OF my everlasting Deg
radiation
"There Is no room for denlai no chance
fSv doubts, Everything that was present.
ID 20 my father was In the form OF docu-
meuiS, written evidence, sworn 10 and duiy
witnessed. Richard F'etridge q q lawyer
and he Mad spent a month "a verifying
Marie Mol3eOt'a story.
Neither was theirs any room % doubt
that Albert Rnuyon ~ marrying me under,
stood fully 70 what position he was re-
ducinE me; Tor .Le evidence showed thai
be continued even % this date TO send hil
vile monthly allowance Tor her support
"Ana ~ moistera oEoue ior all thil