The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-11
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LADY ATHLYNE
Copyright, 1908, by BRAM STOKER Entered at Stationer's Han-AH rights reserve,

He was amazed at Athlyne's reply, spoken in voice both low and sad: so too was Joy:
 Of that I cannot say. It does not rest with me-"
 Not rest with you sir? Then with whom does it rest.' Athlvne raised his eyes and looked him straight in the face:
 With youp
 With me?' the ColonePs voice was faint with amazement.
 Yes, with you! What future have I, already condemned to death! What future has my wife. whose sentence of widowhood came even before the knowledge of her marriage! Do you forget Colonel Ogilvie that my life is pledged to you? On your own doing, I took that obligation; but having talk en it I must abide by it. Such future as may be for either of us rests with you!" Colenel 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 sol In an affair of this kind the challenged man is not free to act. Pacific overture must be with the one who considering himself injured has sought this means of re- dress" Joy. listened. with her heart sinking and her hand so trembling that she took it from his arm lest it should upset him, was amazed. He was at least as determined as her fath- CT. But she was rejoiced to see that his stiffness was having its effect; her father was evidently respecting this very quality so much that he was giv- ing way to his opponent. Seeing this, and recognizing in her wOman'S way for the first time in her life this funda- mental force. she made up her mind that she too would on her side keep steadfastly to her convictions just as as He had done. In sil- ence she waited for what would follow this new development going on before her. eyes. Presently Colonel Ogilvie spoke:
 T suppose Lord Athlyne you are satisfied with the validity of the mar riage?" He answered heartily:
 Of course I am. The Sheriff was quite clear about it: and what he says is sufficient for me-
 And your intention?"
 'Sir. from the first moment when my eyes lit on your daughter I had only one intention. and that was to make her my wife. Be quite satisfied as to mel I am fixed as Patel If there is any hindrance to my wishes it can only co ne from my wife. But under ever she may wish this marriage an- nulled. CT consider that it has not been valid, she has only to indicate her wish and I shall take any step in my power to set her free.''
 Father" Colonel Ogilvie turned in astonishment at the sound of his daughters voice. which was in such tone as he had never heard from her. It ran~: her mind was made up:
 Father. a while ago when you, seem ed in some grave trouble I asked you why you did not ask me anything. I told you had never lied to you and should not do so then; but you asked me nothing. Why don't you ask me now?"
 What should I ask you. little girl. You are married: and your duty is to Besides, I don't ask women questions which may be painful to answer. Such I ask of men!''
 To this she spoke in calm voice which made Athlyne uneasy. He could not imagine what she was coming at; but he felt that whatever it might be it was out of the truth of her nature, and tGat he must support her. Her love he never doubted. In the mean time he must listen patiently and learn what she had to say.
 Well father. as you will not ask I must speak unasked- It is harder; that is all. The Sheriff said that mutual intention was necessary for marriage. Let me tell you that I had not then such intention! I must say it. have never lied to you yet; and I don't in tend to begin now. Especially when I am entering on a new life with a man marriage be not good we shall soon have one that is-if he will have me- Athlyne took her hand: she sighed joy fully as she went on:
 "I certainly did intend to marry MT Lord Athlyne when -. when he should formally ask me; but understood ther there was some ob- stacle to his doing so. This I now get your consent beforehand. But if I did not then intend that our coming for a run in the motor together was to be our marriage. how can I by that a arf h<2 ma yri c e ha h. lyue realized what was the cause of that vague apprehension which had chilled him. Colonel Ogilvie was be- set by a new difficulty by this new attitude of Joy. If she repudiated in tention such would nullify the mar riage. since Athlyne had signified his intention of letting her have her way. If there was no marriage: then there would be scandal. So before begin ming to argue with his daughter on the subject of the validity of the mar riage, he thought it well to bring to the aid of reason the forces of fear. He commenced by intimidation:
 ''Of course you understand. daughter that if you and Lord Athlyne were not married through the accidents of your there will be scandal from it: there is no other alternative. In that case. such pacific measures as have now acceded to will be abrogated; and the gentleman who was the cause of the evil must. still answer to me for It. AL lillS IHTedt Joy grew SndSCiy pale. Athlyne. wrung to the heart by it. forgot his intention of discretion and said quickly and sharply:
 That is not fair. Colonel Ogilvie. She is a woman-if she is your daugh- ter. and is not to be treated brutally. You must not strike at man through a woman. If you want to strike man do so direct! I am the man. Strike me, how and when you will: but this woman is my wife-at least she is until she repudiateS our marriagei But till then by God! no man-not even her father himself-shall strike her or at her. pr through herr Both he and Joy were surprised at the meek way in which the old man received his | tirade. But even whilst he had been | the cruel threat both his con- 1 science and his courage had been | against him. This. the man and the | woman had heard could, from evil 1 dence, divine. But there was another l cause of which they had no knowledge l The moment after speaking. when his | blind passion began to cool, the last l words of his wife came back to his l Be good to her, and never