Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-10-21


Heaven forgive you." broke from
him; Il cannot"
Wait until you are asked, my lord"
she said. And yet, I don't know
why you shouldn't forgive me when
you know what 1 am going to do"
and she moved to the door.
Where are you goIng?-What ar
you going to do?"
She put his hand from her.
Il am going to Lucille" she sar1.
Not to make reparationT leave that
for fools; but I am going to put you
straight in her eyes-to show her
that you couldn't have done anything
else but marry me under the circum-
stances. I was making you-wasn &,
-"
She laughed.
"Good-day gentlemen. Mr.. Merle,
you have spoiled both our fortunes,
and I cant forgive you! A forged
check!-it was the work of an lido!
and, with the first touch of passion,
she shot furious glance at him and
went out.
They heard her ascending the stairs
with a light careless step. Bad to
the core, she had one redeemIng quail
ity which most villains, male and fe-
male, lack courage!
Mr.. Head went up to Harry and
laid his hand on his shoulder.
This is strange and sudden news,
my lord" he said, solemnly. Il have
long had my doubts that there was
some mystery in the life of the late
marquis; but you will admit that it
was not my place"
Harry shook his head YEARLY.
What is to be dOne?" he said,
hoarseIy.
Mr.. Head looked at the marquis.
4 do not imagine that the claim
will be contested, he said, signif-
cantly. 4 would suggest a compro-
mise.
The marquis laughed sardonicaIIy
and threw himself back in his chair
COMPROMISED" ne SAID with a
sheer. q shall contest this clam to
he last farthing! I will never give
up, never!"
Mr.. Head approached the table and
bent over him.
For your own sake remain quiet,
he said. DO not anger him; he mas
been cruelty used. Look back, sir,
upon the years he has borne the
shadow of disgrace and obloquy. As
to the claim, if this be genuine
and I see that you know it is-It
can easily be proved-you are lost"
The detective, who had been per
fectly silent, watching the scene and
taking in every detail, stepped TOR
ward
81 have to do my duty" he said.
81 arrest you, sir, on a charge OF
forging-a check on Messrs. Coutts'
bank"
The marquis started and cIutched
the table,
"You-you cannot" he said, hoarse-
Iy.
The detective shook his heau
ct is the cleverest case-and the
prettiest-I ever had to do with,
he said, with an air of satisfaction.
The evidence is conclusive. That
man." and he pointed to Sinclair,
could not nave done it if he tried.
He isn't clever enough. Come sir,
behave like a man."
Harry came into the light of the
lamp that streamed upon the table
and upon the marquis face.
Stop" he said, "Win you give
me a few minutes wi,h-him?7
The words left his lips slowly, al
most mechanically. The detective
looked at Mr. Head.
Ten minutes, my lord" he saIu
significantly, and he and Mr.. Head
walked into the hall.
Harry locked the door after them,
and as he did so he noticed that Sin
claiTf stole to the window and GID
ed out-noticed, put did not attempt
to follow him Or raise an alarm.
Pale and stern, he walked up to
the table.
''You have ten minutes" he said
and his voice trembled as he looked
at the craven face Of the man who
plotted against him and was now at
his mercy. Write quickly! Give me
her freedom and" he PORTED to
the half-open window.
The marquis laughed.
"And leave you in possession-the
Marquis of MerIe." he scoffed.
Harry flushed for a second.
''No!" he said. Keep it all, title.
money, everything, but her freedom.
Give me that and I surrender all
else. See." and he wrote a line or
two on a piece OF paper, surrender
ing his own claim.
The marquis clutched II and start
ed to his feet, staring at him.
"You-you mean this: he gaspeo.
Harry pointed to the paper.
Quick" he said, sternly. q think
only fof her; you have to think OF
I will not trust her to
your mercy. Refuse to sign and no
thing can save you from the fale
you plotted for mel Quick! I hear
them outside"
The marquis snatcned up the pen
and wrote, then flung the paper to
ward him. Harry took it and put it
carefully in his breast. Then he
pointed to his hat and ulster.