The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1910-04-07
By / MANDATES

AMg Ar-s
"His ruling passion was strong In
DEATH" remarked Jules Lorme within.
sically as he learned the contents OF
his fathers will from his fathers law.
yer. "He knew that / would not com
ply with the terms of so atrocious a
will to marry a woman who could
neither read nor write"
"You have a year of grace" remind
ed coyle.
A year later Jules appeared at the
Office Of the family lawyer.
"My leases up. Coyle." he reminded.
"And 1 think l have found a way by
which you can fulfill all conditions
and still retain your freedom. You
can marry a woman who can neither
read nor write, and Immediately after
the ceremony you can so abroad. At
the expiration of two years she can
quietly secure a divorce. You can
spare a generous alimony. ], have met
a good, conscientious girl who is per-
fectly willing"
SIS she a domestic?"
mo; l believe she does needlework."
"It's odd in these days Of schools
and truant officers that she escaped
the alphabet at least"
"She says she never, has had the op-
portunity nor the desire to learn. l
will arrange all details for you"
After some further discussion Jules
acceded to the proposition. and at dusk
of the appointed day he rang for ad-
mission to Coyle's residence. The law
yer met him in the hall and ushercd
him into a dimly lighted library where
a minister and Henry Phillips, Jules
next friend, were in waiting. They all
went Into the reading room adjoining.
Near the doorway Jules paused and
looked into the rooln, which was in
total darkness.
With an odd sinking of the heart
Jules took his position beside the shad-
owy form of a woman. He made the
responses in a quick, jerky way, anx-
ious to end the affair. The woman at
his side spoke in nearly inaudible
tones.
When the sentence Of man and wife
was pronounced Jules returned to the
library and hastily signed some papers
Coyle gave him.
"whelO is my wife?" he then asked.
''She remained in the reading room"
The young bridegroom hesitated.
Then r~esolutely he turned and went
back into the reading room. His eyes,
now accustomed to the gloom, discern
ed her at the end of the room. She
was sitting on a couch, her face buried
in the cushions. One arm hung list
lessly over the edge.
MAY 1 speak with your" he asked
courteously.
She did not lift her head from the
"I want to thank you" he continued,
for the service you have rendered
She murmured a disclaimer Of his
He took her hand. It was
still cold and trembling. His grasp,
firm and sustaining, frightened.
81 am sorry" he said firmly, that
you will not e me, but I want You to
promise me that IL you eve need help
or advice you will come to me"
81 WILL she said softly.
"Lorme," called the warning voice
Of Coyle from the doorway.
81 must go now. Good night"
He went to his lodgings and tried to
away the burden Of his
thoughts. The shadowy outlines Of
the tall. dropping figure and the low
tones in which she had spoken haunt
ed him all night.
ST suppose her motive was as mer-
cenary as my own, so I don't need to
reproach myself"
The next day he was leaning against
the railing of the steamer, idly watch
ing the scenes upon the wharf, when
he saw Phillips making his way to-
ward a young girl who was daintily
petite in form and. lovely Of face and
feature. She was accompanied by a
middle aged woman.
'rYou must look after Miss Derring-
ton. JULES cautioned Phillips as he
taking leave Of them all a few
later. sHer aunt has the
stateroom habit, she tells me-"
Jules scarcely heard him. He was
looking into the wonderful eyes Of the
young girl. An hour later Mrs. Mar
shall had fulfilled the prophecy re-
garding the stateroom and Jules had
Joined SaIome on deck.
"You don't seem a stranger to me-"
she said. "I have come to know you
through your books"
There followed a long and animated
of books and authors until
dinner time.
"She is a darling" Jules told him,
self as he lay in his berth listening to
the rhythmic measures of the engines
that night.
The voyage passed in a succession
days of sparkling sunshine. Mrs.
Marshall remained perfofee in soil
rary confinement, and Jules was con-
with Salome, who grew fairly
with hanninnss He "a me fo