Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-02-14


word, his face grew purple, monsieur,
and he fell forward ON his desk, on his
hand, on the knife which was clasped
in it. tried to check the blood, but
could not, it poured forth in such q
stream. knew not what to do. l was
distracted, and in n frenzy l left the
place and hurried to our lodgings. That
is the truth, monsieur; believe me-"
81 do believe you," said.
ut was then" went on her mother,
that that man yonder had another in.
SEPARATION. Before it had been only
what you call-blackmail-a few thou
sands, perhaps a pension. Now it was
something more. He was playing for
Il greater stake. do not know all that
lie planned. He found Celeste suspect.
cd of having killed her father. He
must get her released at any cost, so
he wrote a note
"Yes!" cried. Eyes, of course; see.
Miss Holiday under arrest was be-
yond his reach"
Yes" she nodded, 80 he wrote a
note. Oh, you should have seen him in
those days! He was like some furious
wild beast. But after she was set free
Celeste did not come to us as she had
promise. We saw that she suspected
us, that she wish to have nothing more
to do with us. So Victor commanded
that I write another letter, imploring
her, offering to explain" She stopped
moment to control herself. "Ah,
when think of it! She came. mon
sieur. We took from her her gown and
put it on Cecile. She never left the
place again until the carriage stopped
to take her to the boat. AS for us, we
were his slaves"
There was no need that she should
tell me more.
"And the go!dT' / asked.
She drew Il key from her pocket and
gave 1t to me-
ut is in box upstairs" she said.
l took the key and followed her to
the floor above. The box, of heavy oak,
bound with iron, with steamship and
express labels fresh upon it, stood in
one corner. unlocked it and threw
back the lid. Package upon package
lay in it, just as they had come from
the subtreasllry. locked the box
again and put the key in my pocket.
"Of course" said as turned to go,
II can only repeat your story to my
companion. He and Miss Holiday
will decide what steps to take"
They bowed without replying, and
went out along the path between the
trees, leaving them alone with their
dead.
Joy is great rcstorer, and week
OF happiness in this enchanted Paris
had wrought wonders in our Junior
and his betrothed. 1t was good to look
at them, to smile at them sometimes,
as when they stood unseeing before
some splendid canvas at the Louvre.
The past was put aside, forgotten,
They lived only for the future.
And n near future too. There was no
reason why it should be deferred, and
so they were welded, with only we
three for witnesses, ut the pretty
chapel Of st. Lukes, near the Boulc-
ward AIontparnasse>
There was T. little breakfast after
ward Mt Mrs, kemball's apartment,
and then our hostess babe them adieu,
and her daughter and drove with
them across Paris to the Care de Lyon,
where they We're to take train for a
fortnight on the Riviera. We waved
them off and turned back together.
ut is dissertation to use carriage
IN such Il day." said my companion.
So we dismissed ours and sauntereti
toward the river.
$50 that is the end of the story, she
said musingly.
"of their story, yes" interjected.
But there are still certain things 1
do not quite understand" she contin-
ued, not needing me.
"Yes?'
For instance, why did they trouble
to keep her prisoner%
Family affectionY
Nonsense! There could be none.
Besides, the man dominated them, and
l believe him to have been capable of
any crime"
"perllaps lie meant the hundred thou.
sand TO be only the first payment. With
her at hand. lie might hope to get more
Indefinitely. Without her.
We'll, without herr"
"Oli. The plot grows and grows the
more one thinks Of it! believe 1t grew
under his EanGs in Just the same way.
l don't doubt that it would have come
at last TO Miss Holidays death by
some Suite ii2ans, to the substitution
Of her sister for her. After n vaar or