Evening star., 1909-05-09
CHAPTER xxII.-Continued

Speak on. daughter! Finish what you
were saying. His voice was strangely
soft and his eyes were luminous beneath
their shaggy white brows. joys answer
ing tone was meek.
II cannot. father. My -. Mr-Lord
Athlyne desires that 1 should be silent >
She was astonished at his reply follow
ing:
We'll, perhaps he is right. Better so.'
Then in sotto voce to Athlyne:
Women should not be allowed to talk
sometimes. They go too far when they
get to self-abasement.' Athlyne nodded.
Again silence. which Col. Ogilvie broke:
We'll. sir. suppose we must take it
that the marriage is complete in Scotch
law. So far for the past. What of the
future?' In low voice Athlyne replied:
Whose future?"
''Yours-yours and my daughters" He
was amazed at Athlyne's reply, spoken in
voice both low and sad; so, too, was
JOY:
"Of that 1 cannot say. 1t does not rest
with me-"
Not rest with you sir? Then with
whom does it rest?' Athlyne raised his
eyes and looked him straight in the face
With you.'
With me?" the cOlonefS voice was
faint with amaZement.
Yes. with you. What future have L.
already condemned to death! What fu-
ture has my wife. whose sentence of
widowhood came even before the knowl-
edge of her marriage. Do you forget
Col. Ogilvie, that my life is pledged to
YOU? On your own doing. took that OBJ
legation; but having taken 1t / must abide
by it, Such future as may be for either
of US rests with YOU. Col. Ogilvie did
not pause before answering. He spoke
quickly. as one whose mind is made up:
But that is all over"
Athlyne said. quietly:
You have not said so. In an affair
or this kind the challenged man is not
free TO act. Pacific overture must be
with the one who, considering himself in
1ured. has sought this means of redress -
Joy listened, with her heart sinking and
her hand trembling that she took it
from his arm lest 1t should upset him.
She was amazed. He was at least
as determined as her father. But she
was rejoiced 10 see that his stiffness was
having its effect: her father was evident
~ respecting this very quality so much
that he was giving way TO his opponent
Seeing this. and recognizing In her wom-
ans way for the first time in her life this
fundamental force. she made up her mind
that she. too, would on her side keep
steadfastly to her convictions just as
"'' he had done. In silence
she waited for what would follow this
new development going before her
eyes. Presently Col. Ogilvie spoke:
II suppose. Lord Athlyne YOU are sat
isfed with the validity of the MARRIAGE"
He answered. heartily:
''Of course I am, The sheriff was quite
clear about IL: and what he says is suffi-
cient for me-"
And your intention?''
Sir. from the first moment when my
eyes lit on your daughter l had only one
intention. and that was to make her my
wife. Be quite satisfied as to me, | am
fixed as fate, If there is any hndrance
TO my wishes il can only come from my
wife. But understand this--that If for
any cause whatever she may wish this
marriage annulled. or consider that IL
has not been valid, she has only to indi-
cate her wish and ! shall take any step
In my power TO set her free.
Father Col. Ogilvie turned in aston
ishmer at the sound, of his daughters $
voice. which was in such tone lie had
never heard from her. 1t rang: her
mind was made up:
Father. a while ago when you seemed
In some grave trouble. ] asked you why
you did not ask me anything. | told you
j had never lied to you and should not
do so then. bit you asked me nothing
Why don't you ask me now?
What snculd ask you. little girl ?
You are married and your duty is To
scme one else whose name you bear. Ee-