Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1907-09-14
CHAPTER vII1.-(Continued.)

ly she got her fathers permission to re-
turn to her aunt, and try to cheer the
poor woman up. Roderick was back at
her home, and proved courteous and
kind friend to his brothers wife. He be-
sought her not to speak to her father
about the marriage, urging all sorts Of
reasons for the delay. Roderick also ad-
viged her not to confde in his mother !;
and. bearing in mind Franks wishes, she
did all the young man advised.
So the days went by. Four months
were spent; the time. was drawing near
for her fathers annual winter visit to
the Riviera, and Constance felt she ought
to accompany him, when suddenly the
current of her life was changed by two
events, the first of which brought the
color to her cheeks and the thrill to her
heart, the second Of which plunged the
girls soul into the deepest, darkest mis-
cry woman can ever know.
Just as the letter in which she had
written, In timid, gentle words, the ma
ternai hopes she might assure herself Of,
blow fell upon her which all but
crushed out her life, az it successfully
broke her heart. One day a woman pre-
scented herself at Lady Anstruther's house
and asked to see Miss Gascoigne. Mar
shall, who guarded and shielded her
young mistress by every means in her
power, would have refused this woman
ndmittance, but Constance took the mat
ter into her own hands, and a meeting
followed
When Marshall went In to look after
the girl. thinking she had given the
stranger enough of her time, she found
Constance standing before the fire, her
face ashen white, her eyes staring and
expressionless, like the eyes of the dead
Marshall" she said, with tones that
were husky with emotion, Marshall, L
l have been deceived. 1 am not Franks
wife ~
mot Mr.. Franks wife Oh, come,
Miss Constance, you are altogether
wrongl Why, didn't see you a-stand-
In before the altar with my own eyes,
and didn't hear you swear to belong
70 each other"
Constance put out an icy-cold hand.
Dear, truc FRIEND" she whispered,
between her pallid lips, and then she
tok up a piecs Of paper and gave It to
Marshall.
Read that, and you will see am not
wrong" she said, with wintry smile.
'The wedding you assisted at was only
farce. Here Is the certificate of Frank
Anstruther's first marriage, ay, first and
only one. for that woman who has just
left me Is his lawful, legal wife,
II will not believe It'll 1 will not be-
lieve itl'' So cried Marshall over and
down By the fire and rocked herself to \
and fro, asking herself In wild, mad
way, what was to become of her.
"Mr. Roderick will put this straight"
was MarShail's verdict. and for a brief
time dame Of hope sprung up in the
wretched creature's breast; but alas It
soon died down and was crushed out for
ever.
Ro0erick took the matter up immedi-
ately. He sought out every clew, follow
ed the truth up to the bitter end, and,
lastly and Rorrowfully, had to own his
brother 4 liar and a villain.
Constance seemed turned to stone She
nhed no tears, she made no moan she
bore hcrstff with a pride that was some
thing marvellous.
what was to become Of herr What
of her cAild7" The question haunted her
day and night
Fortunately. her aunt's health became
% bad, she was permitted to stay buried
In the country house without further mo-
IeAtation from her father, who went OF to
Monte Carlo and enjoyed himself, doubly
free FROM his daughters presence. letter.
arrived from Frank by every mail, but
they were tossed into the fire unread.
Il leave you to communicate with
your brother" the girl had said In her
one and only interview with Roderick,
and tho hot blood of triumph had surged
Into his veins.
How we'll his evil, Jealous plan had
worked Better than he could have
hoped or dreamed. Frank was miles
away; he could not stand forth and re-
flute the horrible lies Constance, bound
up In pride and misery, refused to do
as she should have done. write to him d.
rect and 30 learn the real truth. His
two puppets worked at his will and hast
ened his revenge.
Revenge on the brother he had always
hated: revenge on the woman he had
loved In 4 wild, unreasonng, passionate
way, and who had shrunk from his very
friendship in manner that had chilled
him to the heart. 1t was cruel. wicked.
humanity act-the act rather of a demon
than that of man.
Az day after day went BY. the time
approached for the birth of Constance's
nameless child. She had made no plans.
arranged nothing. Roderick did every-
thing. He it was who guarded the girl
IN her mothers house, where, with no one
about her but Marshall. not even whis-
per Of her condition caught the wind
b surrounded her with every comfort.
every care, but he never saw her, and