The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-02

to save Ben Hollands life?"
 She did not answer him. but she broke away from the grasp of his fingers, and looked at him as she saight have looked at a dangerous beast. Fear, contempt, loathing, were all written on her face.
 have reason to hate John Shil,' the man continued, but my hatred for him Is a. poor thing compared with my love for you. It is because I love you, and because I intend to make you mine, and because I am ready to sac rifice all scruples to accomplish my desire. that let John Shil place his liberty. perhaps even his life, in my hands have spoken plainly, foi the matter requires plain speaking. Do you understand me, Laura?'
 T understand you" she replied, al- most in Q whisper. ~If do not con- sent, ssz6a viii seii aii you know. If do consent, you will be silent"
 He nodded. and came towards her with outstretched hands. She did not move till his face was close to hers. Then Jhe stepped back and struck him across the mouth with all her strength.
 That Is my answer to you" she cried
 William Tankerlane did not spea k nor move from the place on which he stood. He quietly took a handker- chief from his pocket and pressed it to his lips Then as he caught sight of the girls knuckles and the blood which was trickling down her white hand. he smiled.
 T am afraid you have hurt your self he said gently. after a pause.
 She turned away from him and pres sed her hands to her face. She ut tered no sound, but he knew that she was crying He came to her side.
 "Laura.". he said. T am a clumsy brute. I nm afraid did not make myself clear to you just now. I ho- nor you for the blow you have struck me It was natural that you should have misunderstood me. Two months ago--but forget that, Laura. Since then you have taught me how strong e good woman can be. When I spoke to you just now I did not ask you-- I did not intend to insult you. meant that I wished you to be my wife
 The girl, turned to him with fright ened eyes.
 "Your wife?' she repeated mechan- ically,a though the word had open ed up new train of thought, and she was yet uncertain whither 1t tend ed. Your wife, Mir. Tankerlane."
 My wife" he repeated simply. "lt will be an honor to me--and I love you, Laura"
 She was silent. The whole matter had to be approached from a different standpoint. The man, subtle schooner that he was, had armed himself with a new and powerful weapon: An offer of marriage from the heir to the Tam kerlane estates could hardly be treat ed as an insult. And, if 1t so hap- pened that a price had to be paid for. the life or liberty of the man she loved, this was at least one that could be paid without dishonor.
 Then you mean" she faltered af- ter long silence you mean that if I refuse to marry you--
 Precisely. Laura" he replied. we understand each other"
 "T must have time" she said in a low voice-"time to think. Have you thought of the consequences, MT. Tan kerlane? Have you thought of what 1t means to be tied for life to woman who--who loathes you?"
 He winoed slightly at her words, but he was a man who cared little for the consequences of his actions.
 q will take the risk he answered with a smile. And I will give you till ten o'clock tomorrow morning to de- eide. Good night"
 He held out his hand, but she turned her back on him. and he left the room.
 Laura Ndno SIOOu alOHt III the LAAO light face to face with the problem of her life.
 She had come to the parting of the ways. Two roads lay before her, both steep, perilous, strewn with thorns and sharp stones; both hard to tread and lost in the darkness of futurity, for though she plainly saw the misery and shame that lay at the beginning of her journey, she could not even guess what might be at the end of IL.
 Yet this much she knew, that which ever path she chose, she must tread it to the end alone.
 She sank on her knees before the fire, and stared into the glowing em- bers, as though she might find some vision of the future in the caverns of red light. The flames had died away from the logs, and only dull red glow illuminated her beautiful face. Dark shadows lay in the corners of the room, and her own image, gigantic and distorted. was thrown athwart the cell ing like thunder cloud.
 Laura Vane had come to the parting of the ways. and she could not decide which road to take, yet the decision had to be made within the next few hours. The problem was acute and fraught with many difficulties. The consequences of her decision would be far r-reaching. and the ultimate result could not possibly be foreseen.
 She did not count herself In the mat ter. She was prepared to sacrifice all the happiness of her life to save her lover from the consequences of his crime. The long weary years of his bondage to a man she disliked, the shame of selling her body for a price. the degradation of mind and soul which must inevitably accompany such a union, all these were nothing compared to the safety of the man she loved. On this one point, at any rate, her mind was clear. If 1t was best to make the sacrifice. she would make it, and not reckon up the cost she would have to pay.
 But the problem before her was more than a question of self-sacrifice. It was not at all clear to her as yet that her marriage to William Tankerlane would be of any real advantage to John Shil The matter resolved itself Into d choice of evils. On the one hand. her lover would lose his liberty. per haps even his life, and whether he lived or died. his name would be dis honored for all time. On the other hand, he would lose the woman he loved and would stand no cleaner in the eyes of his God.
 And she had to decide the problem without help or counsel from any soul. No other person could know the shame of her secret, and least of all could she seek guidance from the one man to whom a woman turns in the hour of her trial. For John ShiIs judgment would be certain and inevitable. He would face the gallows rather than let her do this thing for his sake.
 And SO Laura Vane was left to decide