The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-01-12


On the evening of the fourth
day thereafter l arrived, after
much reflection, at the conclu-
sion that Marion had prevailed
upon the physicians to pretend
that l was dying in order to rob
me of my jewels, and l entertain
ed no doubt whatever but that
she would presently desert and
leave me to my fate. Naturally,
kept these opinions to myself.
thought her something like .
fiend in human form, but she was
very beautiful, and l loved her SO
madly that all | wished for in the
world was to retain her by my side
as long as possible. With that end
in view, l played the hypocrite,
and let her think me every simple
kind of fool she wished. l de-
rived a bitter-sweet satisfaction
from the game, for on her part she
pretended to be ardently attached
to me. We spent the hours build
ling castles in the air, weaving
pretty fancies of love in cottage,
and a long life shared together.
She said she had a friend, an old
|kind-hearted gentleman, whom she
could depend upon to find me
some employment, as soon as
was perfectly restored to health.
was then to turn over asnew leaf
and live an honest, Woodworking
life, and she would be my wife,
my comforter, my devoted help
mate to the end. 1t was a very
pretty dream, but the strange and
bitter feature of it was that l sigh
ed for it to come true. l was
tired of my rascality. My long
illness had made a changed man
of me, and if could have believed
in Marion's avowals I would have
been as hapy as king to mend my
ways for her sweet sake, and never
do a shady thing again. Once or
twice 1 tried my best to induce
her to explain to me the mysteries
connected with Sir Chas. Venner's
secret society of consumptives
which I had been unable to faith
ON. On that subject, however
she maintained an admantine
reticence.
The drama took another week
to play out. By that time I was
quite out of danger, and, although
still painfully feeble, my physi-
clan assured me that should soon
be able to leave my bed. Mari
on's Joy at that knew no bounds
She covered me with kisses, and
insisted that she should write
forthwith to her old friend, to in
form him of her whereabouts, and
the hopes she reposed in him for
our happiness and welfare.
what is his name, sweet
hearth" I asked. I had not trou-
bled to inquire before.
She gave me bright smile. "I'll
tell you on our wedding day." she
replied. "It is little surprise that
1 am keeping for you, dear"
My thoughts was: "She Is, after
all, a poor hand at invention!"
felt convinced that she was simply
paving the way with her letter for
her escape, and when she went
out to post 1t I cried aloud in my
bitterness of spirit: Tomorrow
morning there will come tele-
gram, and she will leave mel"
So it happened; She was seat
ed by my bed, reading me the
morning Journals, when, of sud
den, a knock sounded on the door
and a waiter entered with a wire
upon a salver. For Nurse Hamp-
toni" he announced. Such was
the name she had assumed while
at the hotel.
Marion started up with little
cry of delight that echoed itself
in anguish in my heart. knew
what that envelope contained as
well as she. Holding my breath,
l watched her with critical intent
ness. But l had no fault to find.
To the very last she maintained
her part, playing 1t like the un-
imaginably perfect actress that
she was. Tearing 1t open, she
read Its contents with an express
sion of happy expectation, which
quickly changed before my eyes
to fear and passionate concern.
mon Dieu!" she gasped, and
crushing up the paper In her hand.
she turned to me. "Agari" she
cried, "he Is very i'll: dying.
they say, and he needs me. /
must 90 to him 1t once,"