The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-11-23
anee3 None, 50 far rs could sea
| SSCn Z rorl;oI

ance7 None, 50 far rs 1 could sea
$50 I imagine" replied.
"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
odcal, the University Review, I 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 a 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," I said, speaking very slow
ly and distinctly. Il 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 l took at Cam
bridge"
If ever a lie be pardoned, may l not
claim mercy for this of mine?
Twill you swear this to me?'
"Why not? l am not ashamed of my
work"
He stood staring at the table in front
of him for some moments, his hands
pressed to his head.
''She must suffer, them" he muttered
But if l had known! A grit was
hardly worth the trouble
Don't you think you had better 60
back to your inn?" l suggested.
Not until we have settled our little
account together, dear lady. You are
young, yet young vipers can sting. Is it
not better at once to put an end to their
powers Of mischief?"
"Yet the young can run where the old
cannot follow. l am nearer the door than
you. At your first movement l shall be
clear Of the house.
"And leave your father as hostage"
His words struck me like blow.
l swayed forward, gripping the table with
both hands. He could heve seized me
then if he had wished; but he knew I
was in his power. and held away.
do not forget that, dear lady" he
continued; ''it must be either you or him.
There is no way of escape for both, I
am afraid"
am writing down the facts as they
occurred. l desire no credit for follow
ing my duty. " hat l did then, many
thousands of girls would do to-day. For
there remained no way out of the pit
into which we had fallen-my father
and I-save one, and that l accepted
gladly, readily.
Then take me-" said to him.
You have sadly upset my little ar
rangements. l had not thought of so
fair an offender. Let me see." He paus-
ed, softly rubbing his chin.
There was cat-like qualification
about the creature as he stood glancing
at me from time to time. with a smile
Pickering on his thin lips; and all the
while my soul was searching, searching
for the way of escape that l could not
find.
ION the whole, it is the happiest plan"
he said suddenly, with little sigh Of re-
lief. LET us make a move to the front
door,"
The sun was dropping to the western
sea in angry banks Of cloud. His rays
shone so strongly in our faces that l had
to shade my eyes as he pointed out the
manner in which death should come to
me.
You are a strong. brave girl" he said
with little bow, ''Or l would not sug-
gest so novel a scheme. / shall sit here
in the porch and watch you as you walk
over the moor, down into the little vaS
ley, up again, and so to the cliff edge.
After a time for suitable meditation
let us say two minutes-yOu will step of
into eternity. Do not fear. it is an easy
method of putting an end to an infnity
of troubles. Keep back! keep
back, I say!'
(To be continued.)