Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1908-10-29
CHAPTER VIII.

\ singular shadow crossed the face of
the great arch schemer, mingled dread, de-
fance and desperation.
But Kane instantly grew calm as ice
His glance unhickering, he steadily, rath-
er sneeringly. regarded the intruder. Then
he said coldly:
"Yes. l know YOU
II thought you would" hissed the 9TH
er. dangerously brandshing the steel bar,
his teeth grating. his glance murderous.
Il fancied you might recognize"
THE father"
"Of your wife,
"Of the wife that was-true my man:
what of it?'
His defiance and unconcern maddened
the intruder His eyes grew urd. 1t
seemed he would fling himself upon Kane
He choked ground his teeth in a violent
paroxysm of rage.
Not yet-not YETI he hoarsely NUT
tered. I'll give you chance, first-a
last chance
What to do, may I ask:" coolly pro-
pounded Kane.
I'll tell YOU hssed the intruder.
"Go back six years-in Ohio-you, fash
ing your dazzling ways and your danger
GUS cruel smile. You won my girl, my
only child. Elita. But you married her
well for you And then, tired of her,
you deserted her heartlessly. You know
what happened-her gentle nature droop-
ed, her heart broke. You sent her to
an insane asylum as the easiest way to
get rid of her The blow crushed me. |
took to drink, l got in bad company.
stole-they sent me up for five years.
We'll" said Kane mockingly, what
is that to me?'
You shall see. For two years Elita
has been sane-as sane as you or I"
"The asylum physicians say not
"Yps" retorted the other, 'for Won
bribed them to say so. You were afraid
to have her free, and we'll you might be
Man, devil do you know that your per-
idy, her cruel, unjust imprisonment, have
changed all her gentle nature. Beware
oh, beware"
MY friend" suggested Kane placidly.
I'VE will have it out, here and now, but
don't you ever venture to intrude on me
again. Your daughter is nothing to me.
| secured a divorce from her two years
ago. I am willing to provide reasonably
for her, but she must not trouble me-.
Don't you :" added Kane significantly. 81
will neither be intimidated, nor black
mailed"
Listen
Gabriel Marsden's voice rang out ON
nously.
Il am all attention ~ mocked Kane
81 have only few words to say to you
heed them. Your wife, my daughter
is Free
"How-you are saying this to annoy
me-" declared Kane, with a palpab!e
| start.
NO, and to save you-or rather, her
| I came to you. If my appeal does not
avail. then better the gallows for me than
| that she should imbrue her hands in your
blood ~
"You are tragic"' sneered Kane
MY last word. them sternly intoned
| the man. 'remarry my daughter, quiet her
perverted mind by so doing. and l depart
she can be placated. Refuse, and"
| What then?"
"She will kill you. You jeer. Man
| You do not know what she is now, a cold,
| relentless, determined woman, set upon
| having her rights-or your life"
"1he law will look to that. | fancy
have the means and the power to squelch
| you both"
Useless" shouted the man ferociously
-"useless to temporize with you. Then
you shall have it; a trampled fathers
vengeance ~
The climax impended, the eliminating
moment had come-he saw the folly of
| trying to reach, TO move, this man.
All the time Kane had been secretly
watching every move his visitor made
! The latter now sprang at him, the mur-
derous bar uplifted.