Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-07-08
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Love $ Conquest
By CHARLES GARVICE

Bv CHARLES GARVICB
Continued.

NV attention particularly to this one
Susie leaned against the table with
her hand pressed to her heart, and
painting, her eyes fixed on the vase
as if it were some living, evil thing.
Il remember it could swear TO
it, muttered Marie, as if to herself
Susie, you and 1 have found out
who is the thief"
10, no." almost screamed Susie.
lit is all a mistake, Miss Marie! I
don't believe it won't believe it!
Master Harry steal that Master
Harry"
Marie he'd the vase toward ner.
How did it come here?" she asked
gliding to the door and shutting it,
and pulling down the blind. How
did IL come here then, Susie, and why
has hr gone 50 suddenly? Ny poor
girl, I'm very sorry for you, but your
fine Master Harry is the thief who
stole the marquis plate, and he has
got the rest of # with him at this mo-
mcnt"
Susie. pallid with terror, fell all Of
d heap to the floor, and Marie Werner
stood over her, still holding the vase.
What is to be done?' she said,
hurriedIy. And how did he know the
secret? Why, Susie-Susie!" and she
shrank back.
Susie raised her swollen eyes, and
looked at her fearfully.
"Oh Miss, what are you going to
say she sobbed.
1T is not what l am going to say,
it is what the marquis will say, what
the judge will say, what the world
will say" she retorted, sternly. who
told this Harry Herne the word that
unlocked that plate-cIoset Who
knew it? ! and Miss Darracourt and
-yOui"
Mel"
Yes, you repeated Marie Werner,
standing over her like an accusing
angel threatening her with destruc-
ton. you, and you only, excepting
Miss Lucille and myself, knew the
word You told it to Harry Herne!"
Susie held up her trembling hand
as if to ward off a blow.
Marie put the vase on the table,
and looked down on her with cruel
smile of enjoyment curling her thin
lips.
Susie, I will be your friend on one
condition. I like you, my poor girl,
and I'm sorry for you. You must make
u clean breast of it-you must tell the
marquis that you did it and perhaps
h" will have some pity for you and
this wicked young fellow"
At last the frightened girl turned to
bay.
With spring she confronted her
accuser.
y make a clean breast of it! I, who
never saw this thing till now-and
never said word! Confess that I
helped Master Harry betray Master
Harry. who'd rather die inch by inch
than touch a thing belonging to the
marquis, No, You mayn't believe me,
ne maynt believe me, all the world
may think me as bad as you do. but
I'll face 'em ALL All, and if they send
me to prison, I'll go. still crying that
Master Harry's as innocent as I ami"
And flushed and painting, she faced
her tOrmeutor.
Marie Werner saw that She had
gone too far.
1T is very strange" she murmured,
as if glimmer of doubt had been pro-
duced by Susie's strenuous denial.
You swear you are innocent, Susie?"
Il will swear to it; I do. Miss. And
I'll swear Master Harry is innocent,
too
Marie dropped into a chair
Then how do you account for this
being here?"
Susie glanced at the vase and shud-
dered.
1t doesn't matter. Here it is! You
and found 1t. The police will know
it directly. The fact of its being
here. and him being seen lurking
round the plate-room, will be evidence
before the Judge to send him to pri-
son for life-for life Susie, Think of
that"
Susie burst into tears. and CLING to
the table. convulsed with sobs.
oh, poor Master Harry Poor Mas
ter Harry" she moaned.
They will get him of a certainty.
and they'll make you a witness
against him." continued Marie Yer
1er pitilessly. You will be the means
Of sending him to penal servitude."
III Oh, Miss Marie."
Yes; and do you think they'll be-
ieve YOU when you say that you did
not tell him last night? Did any one
see You here with him?"
Susie put her hand to her head.
Think. think! Did any one see
you?"
Yes" sobbed Susie; Hope saw
us. Hope walked home to the Court
with me"
All. another link" exclaimed Ma
RE Werner. They will bring Hope
up to prove that YOU were here alone
with him Susie, how could you
come? Your good name"
Susie's sobs drowned the words.
And the robbery was committed
soon afterwards! Everything is clean
against him. you see" She paused
to let Susie get her breath. And
you still think Harry Herne DID not
do it?"
4 know he did no.," painted the
poor girl.