Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-10-03

"Oh," cried Fran, catching a tenn
pestuous breath, uneven, violent, you
know what / mean-that!"
The dew glistened on his brow, but
he doggedly stood on the defensive.
You are indefinite" he muttered, try
ing to appear bold.
She knew he did not understand be-
cause he would not, and now she real
lied that he would, II possible. deny.
Pretense and sham always hardened
her. Then" she said slowly, Il will
be definite. / will tell you the things
1t would have been better for you to
tell me. Your early home was In New
York, but you had cousin living In
Springfield, where there was very
good college. Your parents were anx-
ious to get you away from the temp
tations of a big city until you were
of age. So you were sent to live
with your cousin and attend college.
You were with him three or four
years, and at last the time came for
graduation. Shall / go ONT"
He fought desperately for self-pres-
ervation. What IL there In all this?''
You had married, In the mean
time" Fran said coldly; married Sc
cretly. That was about nineteen years
ago. She was only eighteen. After
graduation you were to go to New
York, break the news to your father
come back to Springfield for your
wife, and acknowledge her. You grad
uated; you went to your father. Did
you come back?"
My God!" groaned the man. So
she knew everything; must he admit
It? What IL all this to your ht
burst forth. who and what are you
anyway-and why do you come here
with your story? II 1t were true
"Truel" said Fran bitterly. II
you've forgotten. why not 90 u
Springfield and ask the first old citi
zen you meet? Or you might write
to some one you used to know, ant
inquire. II you prefer, I'll send TO
one Of your old professors, and pa!
his expenses. They took q good dea
OF interest in the young college stu
dent who married and neglected Jc
sephine Derry. They haven't forgot
ten 1t, II you have"
You don't know" he gasped. "tha
there's a penalty for coming u
peoples houses to threaten them wit
supposed facts in their lives. Yo
don't know that the jails are ready =
punish blackmailing, for you are onl
! little girl and don't understand sue
: things. give you warning. Athoug
you are In short dresses"
"Yes," remarked Fran dryly,
: thought that would be an advantag
to you. 1t ought to make thing
easier" =.
"How an advantage to me! Easier
, What have to do with your"
: ct thought" Fran said coldly, "ths
: it would be easier for you to take N
into the house as a little girl than q
a grown woman. You'll remember
r told you I've come here to stay"
: ITO stayl" he echoed. shrinkin
| back. YOU"
YES" she said, all the cooler Il
D his attitude of repulsion. Il want
home. Yes. I'm going to stay. wal
3 to belong to somebody"
He cried out desperately, But viii
am to do? This will ruin me-ol
= it's true, all you've said don't den
It But l tell you. girl, you will rui
/ me. IL all the work of my life
o be overturned? l shall go mad"
r mo, you won't" Fran calmly a
4 sured him You'll do what every OF
a has to do, sooner or later-face Il
Il situation. You're a little late gettir
e to it, but It was coming all the tim
/ You can let me live here as an ador
: ed orphan, or any way you pleas
It The important fact to me Ii that +
going to live here. But l don't wa
d to make 1t hard for you. truly don't
J. Don't your" He spoke not loud
10 but with tremendous pressure Of 3
sire. Then. for Gods sake. go bacl
- Go back TOTO wherever you can
,e from. I'll pay all expenses. You shI
,t have all you want"
" "All ! want" Fran responded. els
ID home, and that's something peoI
IA can't buy. Get used to the thought
my staying here; that will make
le easy"
Id Easy" he calculated. Then I
o. your purpose to compel me to 81
or you shelter because of this secret
It you mean to ruin me. I'll not be al