Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-08-02
CHAPTER XXIv.-(Continued.)

1T Is useless for you to attempt to
brave it out" he said "I have too strong
proofs, and could produce witnesses to
identify you. Miss Constance Grierson
-"
A look Of intense hatred sparkled in
her eyes at that name. "Oh, it Is Miss
Constance Grierson who has set You on
Ito make this accusation against me-" she
said, between her teeth. "The young lady
who eloped."
Before | leave this house, you must
give me a written confession of your share
in the abduction of Miss Grierson, which
shall completely exonerate her."
Anything else?"
You have, by your arts entrapped Mr..
Arthur Penrhyddyn into an alliance. If
you desire that he should not know the
woman you are, leave him now at once,
and never let him looP upon your face
again"
A burst of mocking laughter was her
answer.
Now, listen to me, Mr.. Stafford" she
said, calmly; but her glittering eyes, and
white, quivering face greatly belied her
voice. Il will make bargain with you
1 will give you paper that shall fully
e1onerste Miss Grierson or condition that
you make no public use of 1t; that you
use 1t only among her relatives; and
above ALL that you breathe no wort
against me to Arthur"
81 refuse such conditions. Do you sup
pose that l would leave my friend in youl
hands, ignorant of whom you are?
"And l defy you!' she cried, rising
and kissing out her passion between hel
cleaning teeth. Beware how you driv,
me to extremities. l have resources a
my back that you little dream of l hav,
1t in my power to crush that yellow-hairet
doll"
You" interrupted Stafford, contmp
tuously.
Il tell you that your denunciation o
me will not only crush this woman, bu
the friend whom you fancy you are pre-
serving. He is encompassed by embar
easements from which l alone can saw
him."
Her vehemence and intensity began t
stagger his firmness. Would it, after all
be polite to drive this woman to extrem
ities without some further reflection?
But what an idiot am to plead t
you" she went on, perceiving him begi
to waver; what would your word weig
with Arthur against mine? Do you SUI
pose that he would be ready to swallo,
the first calumny that could be brough
against the woman he adores? / bac
my love and his against your puny frient
ship-do your worst p
There was too great a probability |
all this; he must decidedly temporize wit
this woman.
Il will accept your confession on tn
terms you named" he said, after paus
II now require another condition." sh
said, haughtily. "The paper must b
shown to no person except Miss Grierso
until after the first of December"
why"
Because there Is now a crisis in tn
affairs of my husband, and l must b
fully assured that it shall not be use
In any way detrimental to me or hil
previous to that time. Give me you
word, and will be satisfied, for I beliey
you to be man whom can trust"
Arthur had limited more than once @
some impending crisis. Sir Launce wa
coming to town; perhaps she spoke trul.
After all, what could he do? Arthu
was married. to provoke this woma
would only lead to exposure.
II consent to this second condition
he said.
She minutely repeated the condition
and made him solemnly pledge his wor
of honor to observe them. Then ST
wrote brief, but particular, narrative
those events with which the reader ws
made acquainted in the last chapter, bl
In well-disguised handwriting, and sig
ed the name of ELLEN Jenkins"
When he was gone, she sank into
chair, utterly exhausted by the scene 81
had gone through.
THAT paper in no way compromis,
me," she thought. Even were he to sho
1t to Arthur, the handwriting is not min
neither is the name. You were mercile
to me, Mr.. Stafford" she went on, bite
ly "for it was not mercy, but the know
edge that you were defeated, that mat
you come to my terms. will be equal
merciless to the woman you love-
thank you for removing my last scrup
of conscience"