Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-04-12
Brett did most Of the talking. The
mistake he now made was natural


attacking the reputation OF man
whom you do not know"
POOH" Capella. in his ATcite-
ment, snapped his fingers. You
Hume-Frazers are very fond OF de-
Tending your regulations. A fig for
them! You are not worthy to con-
sort with honorable people. I feel
assured that when Mr.. Layton and
his daughter know the truth about
you they will decline to associate
with you"
Whatever else might be urged
against the Italian. he was no cow
ard. Such language might well have
led to a fierce attack on him by
man so greatly his superior in physi-
cal strength. But Robert sat down,
near the door.
you have some object in coming
here to-day" he said. What is it?"
Margaret remained standing near
the fireplace. Capella produced a
bundle Of papers.
~ am here" he said. Ito unmask
the woman who unfortunately bears
my name. and at the same time to
prevent you from getting Miss Layton
to marry you under false pretences.
"A worthy programme" OBJ
served Frazer suavely. You may
attain the second part OF your
scheme. I admit, but the first seems
to he difficult"
us It? We shall see"
Capella fiourished his papers and
began a passionate avowal Of tho
'treachery" practiced on him in the
matter Of Margarets parentage. end
ing by saying
That woman's mother was the
af1anced bride of my father. She de-
ceived him basely. On his death-bed
he made ME vow my lifelong hatred
~ her betrayer and all his descend
ants To you. . coldblooded Eng
lishman. that perhaps means moth
Ing. To me II is sacred, imperish
able. dearer than life And to think
that have been tricked into a mar
rage with the daughter Of the man
who was my fathers enemy, How
mad ! was not to make inquiries.
What a poor, short-sighted fool! But
will have my revenge. I will ex
pose your accursed race in the courts!
will not rest content until am free
from this snare"
Margaret would have spoken. but
her cousin quickly forestalled her.
You bring two charges against
your wife, Robert said. The first is
that she deceived you before mar
riage; the second that she Ia deceiv-
ing you now. You contemplate TAX
ing divorce proceedings against
hort"
~ do"
But you are lying on both counts.
There is no purer or more honorable
woman alive to-day than she who
stands here at this moment. You are
mean and despicable hound to
take advantage Of circumstances at
tending her birth Of which she was
in profound Ignorance.
She can tell that to q Judge"
sneered the Italian. Il know bet
ter
Robert rose. his face white with
anger.
Margaret" he said, "you have
heard your precious husbands views
with regard to you. What do you
say?"
She looked from one to the other
thoughts coursed through her brain
in that trying moment-and she an
swered:
II am his true and faithful wife
Robert I have never been other.
wise In word or deed"
Capella started, as we'll he might
when he heard the Christian name OF
such quiet scorn.
49," he laughed maliciously 81
have again been fooled. You are not
David. but"
Frazer strobe towards him, and
the words died away on his lips
Listen, you blackguard'" he
Missed. Were 1t not for the pres
ence of your wife ! would choke the
miserable life out OF you. Go, We
have done with you. You have
unmasked your real character, and
cannot believe that a spark OF affec-
ton can remain in your wife's heart
for you after your ignoble conduct
Go, tell you! Do your worst. Spit
your venom elsewhere than In this
hotel. But first let me warn you. II
you dare approach Miss Layton. |
cannot promise that my cousin David
Will treat you as tenderly az | pro-
pose to do. He will probably thrash
you until you are unconscious
simply place you outside this room"
He grabbed the Italian by the
breast with his right hand. lifted MIN
high In the air. gathered the papers
from the table in his left hand, and
carried his kicking. cursing, but
helpless adversary 10 the door.
Then he set him down again,
opened the door, and remembering
bretts advice, assisted him outside
hinginf tho documents after him
and closing the door
With impotent rage in his heart.
Cape)la rushed from the hotel and
caught the last train TO the south,
He had not been In Whitby two
hours, but he was now embarked up-
on his vengeful mission. and bitterly
resolved to push II to the uttermost
extremity.
Margaret had not uttered a sound
during the dual scene. She stood as
one turned to stone. Robert did not