The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1909-01-16

which gentle thoughts and good-breed-
ing impart could not fail to be felt in
her presence. "A thoroughbred from
crown to toe,' thought Dr. Furnivall,
as he looked at her. 'She never would
allow such thing on her own ac-
count-but circumstances! Suppose
one she loved were in trouble! Hers
is a personality that will attract trag-
edy, at least once in her life. The
question is, is this the once? And
how deeply is she imp The doctor
still wore his colored spectacles, and
without removing them he asked, after
some preliminary conversation:
Il suppose you have heard of the
death of William Marsh, Mrs Hor-
rocks?"
Yes" she said, in a low voice. look
ing at him quickly; and faint color
crept slowly into her face.
The members of the family have
! asked me to assist them in finding
the criminal" Dr. FurnivaH continued,
and they gave me this paper" He
| passed the marriage-contract to her.
May ask if that writing is genuine?"
She glanced at it and handed it
back
Perfectly" she answered Though
deeper red than. before dyed her
cheeks, there was the gentle f1rmness
in her manner and tone Of voice that
impregnab1y repe1s all invasion of the
personality. And regarding the doc
tor steadily, she added: You have the
best of reasons, of course, for asking
the question, which seems so extraor-
binary at first glance
DIR. Furnivall,' she said as calmly
as she could, they have nothing to
do with it. I am well enough acquaint-
ed with the law to know that my mere
assertion is not sufficient, and that it
will want other evidence corroboratiYe
of mine. I do not know where such
evidence is to be had, or even if
there is any such in existence, but
will tell you all I know, if you believe
ought to do SO, even though the tell
ing should cover me with shame, or
even kill me with grief"
I will tell you just how it all came
about" she said in low voice; and
went on, pausing frequently, but enun-
ciating her words clearly: my son,
Malcolm, was treasurer of a corpora
tion,-he-he was about to be arrest
ed for defalcation-that was demand
ed, or restitution must be made I had
not money enough-it. was a very
large. / mortgaged this house and all
else that could, but still needed much
more, and went to this man to borrow
it. He said he must have better Sc
curity than l could giyeI must have
the sum by a certain date-in short,
after l had tried every way, he OBJ
tanned this promise from me-
you need not go into that, said
the doctor, hastily. Where is vour
son now?''
He is here, in the house Next
week we shall sail for Europe, and he
is getting his things ready. But" she
added, quickly, you do not think there
is need of his knowing about this? He
does not dream Of where I raised the
money-it would humiliate me, and
needlessly, to inform him
He does not know that you were
to have married this MANI"
oh, no, no, no! And would not
have him learn of it for the world He
is very hot-tempered, and very proud,
and he would refuse to accept such
sacrifice on my part Doctor, he must
not know! He would declare his guilt
and take the punishment, undoing all
/ have attempted and suffered for
him"
is that likeness of him?" Dr.
Furnivall asked, examining a painting
of youth which stood on an easel.
''Yes-done year ago" she an
swered, regarding it through fond
tears. DR.. Furnivall sat a moment
studying the handsome features. Then
he turned away with an involuntary
shrug of his shoulders.
Some persons have too much char
acter to commit a capital crime he
thought, "and some have too little.
This boy is a sneak, but he is no muir
derer." He added aloud to Mrs. Hor-
rocks: NO, he need not be informed"
He was interrupted by the appear
ance of maid, who, with excitement
in her face, stood on the threshold
mutely asking permission of her mis-
tress to speak.
There is someone at the telephone
who wishes to talk with Dr. Furni-