Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-11-24


conferred in an effort to control the tones
of my voice. fi.. F..
DO you take sugar in your tea, Prof.
Marnac?
That was what said to him.
1t was out, and l could not recall 1t.
AS he rose, l sprang back, placing the
table between us. A cup, caught by my
skirt, smashed loudly on the floor. So
we stood watching each other.
He showed no sign of anger. Only
the expression of his eyes had changed to
cold sneering insolence that was
most dreadful thing to see in so old
man. ...t.
Il observe, dear lady, that you hold
letter in your hand" said he, without
harsh note in his musical voice. May
suggest that it contained the discovery
which you so very incautiously have an
nounced"
81 shall answer no questions"
''If you will consider, dear lady, you
will perceive that you merely waste
time. Tell me-do you know the object
Of my visit?"
hesitated a moment. Was there any,
thing to be gained by pretending gnor-
ance? None, so far as l could see.
/ DO L lmdBlut, Icpllcu.
'You relieve me of load of expla-
nations. There is, however, one point
on which l myself desire information.
Through the courtesy of the editor-or
assistant editor-of that admirable peri
odical, the University Review, was al
lowed a glimpse of the manuscript of an
article signed 'Cantab' 1t was a sour
rilous effort, dictated by the meanest
| jealousy. 1t was designed to destroy my
book-my book which is my life's work
do you understand ?-my whole life's
work"
His voice rose to his last words till it
ended in a shrek of passion.
"Well, and what of that article"
answered boldly.
My question Gained him in an instant
There was crafty leer in his eyes as he
spoke again.
''Of course, it was your fathers. No
sentence it contained was unworthy of
so scholarly a pen. But why dear lady.
why was the original MSS. in your
hand?"
MY father had nothing whatever to
do with it," l said speaking very slow
ly and distinctly. II wrote it myself"
Your he cried, staring at me. you
wrote it?"
Certainly. Do you think me incapa-
BILE? If so, direct your attention to the
record of the honors that took at Cam
bridge"
If ever lie be pardoned, may not
claim mercy for this of mine?
Twill you swear this to meY'
"Why not? l am not ashamed of my
work"
He stood staring at the table in from
of him for some moments, his hands
pressed to his head.
"She must suffer, then" he muttered
| But if l had known! A grit was
hardly worth the trouble"
, Don't you think you had better q
t back to your inn?" 1 suggested.
t Not until we have settled our littl,
? account together, dear lady. You ar,
E young, yet young vipers can sting. Is i
E not better at once to put an end to thei
; powers of mischief"
f "Yet the young can run where the oil,
cannot follow. l am nearer the door thai
you. At your first movement l shall b.
clear of the house."
"And leave your father as a hostage
His words struck me like a blow
= swayed forward, gripping the table wit
both hands. He could heve seized m
|, then if he had wished; but he knew
, | was in his power, and held away.
do not forget that, dear lady," h
! continued; sit must be either you or hin
There is no way. of escape for both,
!, am afraid"
> l am writing down the facts as the
occurred. l desire no credit for follow
. ing my duty. What l did then, man
thousands of girls would do to-day. Fo
- there remained no way out of the pi
:, into which we had fallen-my fathe
: and I-save one, and that l accepte
a gladly, readily.
Then take me-" 1 said to him.
/, you have sadly upset my little al
rangements. l had not thought of s
:, fair an offender. Let me see." He paui
II ed, softly rubbing his chin.
.. There was cat-like gratificatio
: about the creature as he stood glancin
:, at me from time to time, with a smi
~ Pickering on his thin lips; and all til
% while my soul was searching, searchin
O. for the way of escape that l could ,nt
II find.
u ION the whole, it is the happiest plan
he said suddenly, with little sigh OF r
n lief. LET us make a move to the frol
- door,"
e, The sun was dropping to the westel
4. sea in angry banks of cloud. His ra.
re shone so strongly in our faces that l ha
to shade my eyes as he pointed out Il
manner in which death should come
me.
r you are a strong brave girl" he sa
ne with little bow, ''or | would not su
r gest so novel a scheme. l shall sit he