Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-11-23
aaesa N0ne, o far . | could BED.

aReeP None, 50 far as could sea
ESQ imagine" replied.
"You relieve me of a 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, 1 was al
lowed a glimpse Of the manuscript of an
article signed 'Cantab.' 1t was a sour
rilous effort, dictated by the meanest
Jealousy. It was designed to destroy my
boOk-my book which is my life's work
do you understand my whole lfe's
work"
His voice rose to his last words till It
ended in shrek of passion.
''Well, and what of that articler /
answered boldly.
My question claimed 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 pen. But why, dear lady.
why was the original MSS. in your
handT
my father had nothing whatever to
do with it." l said, speaking very slow
ly and distinctly. II wrote it myself"
you" he cried, staring at me. You
wrote itT'
Certainly. Do you think me incapa-
ble7 If so, direct your attention to the
record of the honors that took at Cam
bridge"
If ever a lie be pardoned, may not
claim mercy for this of mine?
'Will you swear this to meY
why not2 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, then" he muttered.
But if l had known! A girl-it was
hardly worth the trouble"
Don't you think you had better go
back to your inn?' l suggested.
mot until we have settled our little
account together, dear lady. You are
young, yet young yipers 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 shall be
clear of the house."
"And leave your father as hostage"
His words struck me like a blow.
/ swayed forward gripping the table with
both hands. He could heve seized me
then if he had wished; but he knew l
was in his power, and held away.
do not forget that, dear lady" he
continued ''t must be either you or him.
There is no way of escape for both, /
am afraid"
l am writing down the facts as they
occurred. l desire no credit for follow
ing my duty. what 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-saYe one, and that l accepted
gladly, readily.
''Then take me-" 1 said to him.
'You have sadly upset my little ar
rangements, l had not thought of SC
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 moi
find.
ION the whole it is the happiest plan,
he said suddenly, with a 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 had
to shade my eyes as he pointed out the
manner in which death should come tc
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 inhnity
of troubles. Keep back! keeI
back, l sayr
Ito be continued.)