Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1912-05-17
Yoan find her. however,

hfn you are 10 nfing her home
with you. without delay"
"ilut suppose"
You must win her FIRST; then she
will come gladly"
"But rye just told you loved an.
other woman. Rutton. and besides"
you mean tho Miss Farrell you
mes tioned?"
"Ies. T."
THAT win be no obstacle"
What How IN thunder d'yop
know IL won't?" Amber expostulated.
a faint suspicion Of the truth quick,
ened his wits. who is this woman
you want me 60 marryT
"My daughter"
your daughterl"
"My only child, David"
Then why won't my-my love for
Sophia Farrell intefferes'
Because said Ruuon slowly. my
daughter aud Sophia Farrell are the
same No; listen 10 me. I'm
not raving Here is my proof--her
latest photograph" He put II into
Amber's hands.
Dazed, the younger man stared
blankly at the likeness OF the woman
he loved: II was unquestlonably she.
He gasped, trembling, astounded
Sophia =" he said thickly. col.
oring holly. He was conscious of
Tightening of his throat muscles. ma.
king speech matter Of dificulty "But
but" he atammered.
"TIer mother" said Rntton softly,
/ looking away, was Russian noble
woman. Sophia is Fanells daughter
/ by adoption only. Farrell was once
my closest friend. When my wife
I died )" He covered his eyes
with his hand and remained silent for
T few seconds when Sophia was left
+ motherless. an infant in arms. Farrell
/ offered to adopt her Because | be.
came, about that time aware of this
4 horror that has poisoned my life--this
/ thing of which you have seen some.
T thing tonight accepted on condition
/ that the truth be never revealed to
4 her 1t cost me the friendship Of Far.
rell: he was then but lately married
and-and | thought II dangerous to be
( seen with him too much | left Eng
/ land, having settled upon my daughter
/ the best part OF my fortune. retaining
only enough for my needs, From that
7 day | never saw her or heard from
/ Farrell Yet ! knew ! could trust
/ him. Last summer, when my daugh-
/ ter was presented at court, ! was in
/ London; | discovered the name Of her
/ photographer and bribed him TO sell
me this He indicated the photo
graph
And she doesn't knowi"
/ "She must never know" Rutton
/ leaned forward and caught Amber's
hand In compelling grasp. Re
member that. Whatever you do, my
name must never pass your lips-with
reference to herself at least No one
must even suspect that you know me
| Farrell least OF ALL
Sophia knows that now" said Am
Der "Quain and | spoke of you one
/ night. but the name made no impress
sion on her Tmssure of that
THAT is good; Farrell has been
/ true. Now you will go to
| India?"
81 will CO." Amber promised
You win be kind to her, and true.
/ David? You'll love her faithfully and
make her love you?"
I'm do my best" said the young
\ man humbly.
/ 1T must be so--she must be taught
to love you. 1t is essential, impera-
\ tive, that she marry you and leave In
dia with you without days delay
Amber sat back In his chair. breath
ing quickly, HIS mouth tense. "I'Il do
Z my best But. Rutton, why? Won't
you tell me? Shouldn't I know.
who am to be her husband, her protec-
/ tor?'
Not from me am bound by an
| oath, David Some day II may be that
4 you will know. Perhaps not. You
may guess what you will--you have
much to go on But from me, moth
/ ing Now, let us settle the details.
I've very little time" He glanced
again at the shoddy tin clock. with a
( slight but noticeable SILVER.
Flows that? It's hours TIL morn
ing
81 shall never see the dawn, David"
said Rutton quietly.
! What"
II have but ten minutes more Of
/ life, II you must known a
| word: poison. That | be
saved blacker sin. David,"
You mean that medicine--the sill
yer phial?" Amber stammered. sick
with horror.
( Yes Don't be alarmed; It's slow
but sure and painless, dear boy. II
works infallibly within half an hour.
( There'l be no agony-merely the
! drawing of the curtain. Best OF all IL
leaves no traces; a diaguostteian
would call II heart-failure =.
And thus | escape that He nodded
/ coolly toward the door.
/ But this must not be. Rutton'"
/ Amber rose suddenly. pushing back
his chair. Something must be done.
I Doggott----'