The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-02-23

4
Il do not say that replied Lora, 81
say only that you ask for what l cannot
give you"
Your Iove?"
LAS 1 repeatedly have said.9
lis it bestowed upon another?'
Not at all. But +"
You, then, are free to consider my
wishes" argued Appleby, with relent-
less persistency. "Is my conduct of to-
/ day nothing to you? But for me you
now would be in Jail. Is my foroear-
ance-"
'Forbearance is hardly the word in
terrupted Lora, with quick frown
crossing her pale face. "Forbearancel
| implies a belief in my guilt, and l pro-
test that 1 am innocent Of
"Of what avail were your protests?
demanded Appleby, instantly resentIng
her frown. THE detectives ignored
| them. The police are convinced OF your
guilt. But for me, I repeat. you now
would be in jail
''Yet you refuse to consider my pro-
posal?" cried Appleby, with the asper-
| ity of one who felt that he had ex-
| hausted every persuasive argument. rs
this to be final, LOra? Tell me, is this
to be final?"
He was trembling visibly. His bag
| gard features appeared drawn and
bloodless. Alarmed by his more threat
ening aspect, by an evil fire arisen IN
ibis sunken eyes, those of the shrinking
| girl sought for a fleeting moment the
| open door of the silent hall. Yet she
| firmly answered, as her gaze returned
to meet his:
YES, Mr.. Appleby, it is final"
you refuse"
let come what may, l shall refuse
even to consider your proposal. II not
only is repulsive TO me, but the advan-
| tage you appear to be taking of me,
and my unfortunate situation"
stop a moment"
For the first time. Appleby began TO
| display his true colOrs. Drawing for
ward his chair, with lips twitching and
brows bent, he said, with villainous as
surance:
your situation-you don't realize of
what it consists. You owe your pres
ent liberty to me. Tomorrow you must
| appear in the criminal court. 1t lies
with me to press this case against you,
or to appeal to the court in your be-
half. The one viii insure your release.
the other your detention and ultimate
conviction. If you still refuse the offer
l make you"
Il Lora checked him with a sudden ges-
ture, at the same time starting to her
feet. Now white with indignation, with
slowly, with scorn dispelling fear from
her frowning eyes:
IF 1 were you, Mr.. David Appleby,
would not say what you appear to
have in mind
!. 81 shall say what your foolish refusal
invites!" replied Appleby, rising TO ap-
proach her. when affection, gener-
osity and forbearance prove vain"
''You resort to a threat"
ssTF If ho with
sinister nod Understand me and be
Il sure that 1 mean all 1. say. If you re-
fuse the offer I make you
you then will make an attempt to
have me branded as a criminal!' cried
Lora with bitter disdain. Il now see
with what knavish design you are in
spired. You aim to make my misfor-
tune a stepping-stOne to"
81 aim only to make you my wife!"
Kissed Appleby. eff l fail in that"
You have already failed!''
Not yet! 1 will have your consent,
or 1 will ruin you! ] will appear in
court. not as your defender, but as your
accuser. Twill spend my last dollar to
convict you. to drive you to the wall,
to brand you a criminal"
do SOL" gasped Lora, with renewed
alarm. DO so. If you will-but don't
touch me while here!"
breath fell hot on her cheek. She
shrank from him, step by step, until
her shoulders touched the mantel be
hind her, and she could go no farther;
, and he, step by step. had followed her,
with his tall figure shaken with anger,
with his blOOdless hands nervously
working and his passionate eyes never
leaving hers.
Not touch youl" he cried, scarce
YOU fear that | shall pOllute you? Do
YOU forget that 1 have been your
) friend? I can be as good a foe, I'm
derstand me-you shall be mine! You
shall
Let go my ARM"
Il will have you-Or my bonds Can
you restore them to me? If not, you
} shall yet become
Release me! Release me, or I'll
scream for help"
! "You will not be heardl" persisted
Appleby, as she strove to free herself
; from the arm which, in his mad pas
5 sion, he had twined around her.
r Let me go. You are a coward"
You shall give me your wordi'
} LET me go! You are madi Let me
1 Oh God will he never comet"
II will have you-or my bondsi
will"
1 Better make it the bonds, Appleby
4 for l may want the young LADY,
1 With the interruption, uttered with &
voice as oddly cold as it was startling
: Morris Donald stepped into the room
= He halted just over the threshold, al
= intruder upon the scene better imagined
4 than described, and cOOlly tossed {
package of government bonds upon the
e table.
S With a nOnchalance eminently char
d acteristic of him, while a cry of relic
n from Lora, and App.eby shrank to thu
e wall, with a snarl of dismay, he added
with icy severity:
e at is well for you, Appleby, that yol
|, are a sickly dog, or I should break ev
: cry bone in your skini Here are you
I stolen bonds, all right-which 1 found
|, where you hid themi No. no; don't LAY
a finger on them If / decide to return
o them to you, you cur, it shall be at my
n own pleasure. Just now your room i
preferable to your company"
/ With features CHASTITY, with his lanl
e figure shaken as if with palsy, with hi!
glaring eyes twin mirrors of minglins
T of fear and amazement that could finC