The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-03-25

Excuse ms little, / am not very
well, and tell me everything tell me
the truth. Did you say that you
were married to this young gentle-
mani"
She'll say anything cried Tom,
hoarsely. She'll swear anything.
She's not fit to come near you. Go
away, tell you, curse you you shall
have everything you want If you go
away. !"
Be silent, Tom; at present she has
me. not you, to ansyer Tell me"
you call him Tom" said the
young woman. with surprise. aIt's
perhaps pet name-for he said he
was Frank Lindons, and that's on my
cards that got printed and that's
who am, and can bring witnesses.
My marriage lines. I've got 'em In the
hotel where I'm staying. If you're
his mother, I'm his wife, and he can't
deny it. Oh, Frank! the lady looks
kind. Don't deny it, don't deny it,!
She'll forgive you. Don't deny the
truth"
The truth" cried Tom, forgetting
himself in his heat "You can see
how much truth is in it by the name
she tells you-and wasn't of age till
last week.. cried the Drecoeious rnf-
fan, with laugh which again was
like the fierce bark of the whipped
hound.
All Lady Cars senses had come
back to her in that shock of this hor-
ror. you married her-in the name
of Francis Lindons thinking that,
and that you were under age would
make it void. If you've anything to
say that should not believe this,
say it quick, Tom LEST I should die
first and think my boy"
She leant back her pale head
against the rocks, and one of those
spasms passed over her which had
already scared the household at the
Towers, but the superior poignancy
of the mental anguish kept Lady Car
from complete unconsciousness. She
heard their voices vaguely contend
ing through the half-trance; then
slowly the light came Back to her
eyes. The young woman was kneel-
ing beside her with vinaigrette in
her hot hand. @Oh, smell at this, do!
it's the best thing in the world for a
faint. Oh, poor lady! wish / had
never said word rather than make
her so bad!"
Lady Car opened her eyes to see
the stranger kneeling with an anx-
ious face by her side, while Tom
stood. lowering, looking on. 1t
crossed her mind that perhaps the
boy would have been glad had she
died. and this disclosure been buried
with her. The stab of this thought
was so keen that she came completely
to herself, restored by that sharp
remedy of superior pain.
II do not think she is bad" she
said family. II think she has an
honest face. Tom, is that true?"
Its all piece of nonsense, moth
er, as told you. 1t was just to please
her. She was not too particular-to
have the show of wedding, that was
all. She knew very we'll"
"T'll tear your eyes out she cried,
!" if you speak like that to me! Oh,
lady! we're married as safe as any
clergyman could marry two people"
.You fool" cried Tom, there's no
such person as Frank LinGons. And
wasn't of age"
The young woman looked at him
for moment confounded. The color
left her excited face, she stood staring
as if unable to comprehend, then, as
her senses came back to her, burst
into loud fit of sobbing and crying.
throwing herself down on the grass.
"Oh, oh, OH! !" she cried, sobbing and
rocking herself. "Oh. whatever shall
do? oh, what will become of moth
err" Then rising suddenly to her
knees she caught Lady Cars dress.
"Oh, lady, lady! you've got a kind
face; do something for me; make him
do me Justice; make him; make him
oh, my God, listen to hint" cried
the girl. for Tom, in the horrible
triumph he thought he had gained.
was pealing forth a harsh laugh--a
sort OF tempest tone, of exultation
over the two helpless women at his
feet.
Beaufort, with Janet at little dis
lance behind him, came suddenly
upon this strange scene He thought
at first that his wife was ill, and hur-
ried forward anxiously. asking. what
Is the natter" He saw Carry7paie
as death, her mouth drawn, her eyes
dilated, leaning back against the
rocks holding the hand of girl un-
known who knelt beside her, while
Tom. who had laughed, stood over
the pair with still that mirthless
grimace distending his lips.
Edward" Lady Car said. II have
something to ask you; something at
once before you ask me question.
A marriage under false name-is
that no marriage: Tell me, tell me
quick, quick!"