The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-12-04

Asia, and we were much attached to
each other.
My dear Halifax he wrote, L. / am
about to enter into the state of matri-
mony. | now claim the performance of
an offer YOU once made TO act in the
capacity o. best man, should occasion
for your services ever arrive. We are
to be married in three weeks. and as
Laura has no settled home, the we'd
ding will take place from my residence
at Ashley on Hudson. Please write at
once 10 say you will be on hand on the
25th OF June
On the afternoon of the 23rd ! start
time stepped off ut the little railway
station which was about two miles dis
tant from the house. AS The afternoon
was very fine one, | desired my bag
gage sent after me, and walked across
the fields to Maxwell s habitation. My
way led through Il pine wood, which was
in the perfection of its summer foliage.
Thankful for the shade. ] sat down for
a moment under tree. when | was
startled by the sound of a woman S
voice. looked up, and then I sprang
TO my feet, for the bright blue eyes of
Mrs. JolIffc were gazing at me.
Ah,B she said, coming forward. 81
thought it likely that YOU would take
this short cut That is well; / shall
be able TO have a little conversation
with you before we join the rest Of the
visitors.'
"How do you dof" 1 said. 81 am
surprised TO see you here.
'l can easily account for my presN
cncc,' she answered; "but before !
say anything moro / want you TO prom
ise that you will not tell anyone where
YOU last saw me. -
will do as you wish [ replied.
"There is no reason why l should be
tray your secret
faithfully, remember. ] am here as n
guest, and not a soul in the house
knows my previous history. When |
knew you were coming kere, ] man
aged TO meet you first, so that | could
ask you to keep silent. You wonder
why 7 am here-I will tell you. My
daughter Laura is TO marry Lucian Max
well the day after tomorrow.
Like a flash memory rose before
my mental vision. If there was one
subject on which Maxwell in my opin
on tho dreadful topic of heredity, Ere
queutly he had assured me that far
rather would he remain single all bis
life than bring disease into his family.
fEYou think | have trapped you, -
said Mrs Joliffe. who was watching my
face lntently. "Wcll, | meant TO do
50. ] hold You TO your word-to the
bond of professional secrecy you have
given me-
''Do YOU consider it right to keep
Maxwell in the dark ? - ! demanded.
g Ics, from my point of view she
retortcd ''Wheu ] heard last night
that you were coming here, the chief
friend Of the bridegroom. | experienced
a sensation of agony, which you with
your cool, well balanced life, could never
-
"You can rest assured that ] pity
you ! said "'But the promise you
means in Justice to my friend.
I" Nevertheless, ] refuse TO release
vou from it, she said firmly. "I have
but one child, my only treasure. She
knows nothing wh0tcvcr of the doom
which bangs over me. She is beautiful,
lovablc. worthy of the best that life
can offer her. / will not have her hap
piness tampcred with, no matter what
the cost may be.
''ls your mania of sll' hit charac-
ter?', ] asked hopefully,
No. she answered sullenly.
''Tbcre is no use in mincing matters !
am at intervals pursued by the most hor-
riblc, ohastly fear that am being pois.
oncd. Ny mania rises TO hatred. and uu-
less something is done to arrest it's
progress, / should think very little of
trying TO take the life OF the person
whom / fancy is conspirlDg against me.
Even at the present moment | feel the
sure approach Of the terrible cloud
life. | am convinced, however, that |
shall be able to control myself until
Thursday morning, when l shall re-