Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-26
CHAPTER IX-tcontInuedl.

CHAPTER IX-(Contlnued)'
Maud stared blankly at her mother'
Within the last three days she had mad
many surprises, but for this she was not
in the least prepared.
you actually say--you-that you want
me to marry Gilbert Huron?' she asked
incredulously.
The older woman leaned back in her
| chair, and blowing a cloud of smoke into
the air, watched 1t vanish above the
level of her head.
LAS 1 told you" she said in a matter
of-fact voice, you will have to marry
| him. It's not a question of what l want
though 1 have no objection as far as
my own feelings are concerned"
| 81 refuse to do so most emphatically,"
cried the girl hotly. "and L fail to see
| any means of making me, 1 do not care
two pins for Gilbert Huron'-she snapped
| her long fingers--"I would almost rather
have married that Moor at El zarih.
And have made up my mind to marry
some one else.
you will ruin us all II you do" said
Mrs. Plessey in shaky voice.
Maud stood very still and looked at her.
Mother" she cried what do you
| mean?"
Mrs, Plessey put both hands before her
frame, IT'S as 1 say, dear. You must
believe what / say. Gilbert has been
very good friend to us both-better than
you think-and he may be terrible
enemy. It's in his power to destroy us
absolutely / heartily wish-I do indeed
that he had not taken this fancy to you.
l had never expected that But now 1t
seems that you are the one thing he
craves-and you would be safe for ever
II you married him."
Maud felt herself trembling also. But,
mother" she protested, you must be
mad to talk like this. What hold can
Gilbert have over us?" She seemed to be
puzzIing out the question. her eyes staring
Into vacancy. Tiff he Is In a position
to injure your reputation In any way,
che went on, as a hateful possibility pre-
sented itself, that gives him no power
over me. Oh, mother dear tell me 1t isn't
true! That it's not true you have put
yourself in that mans power2' She drop
ped on her knees beside her mother and
threw her arms round her.
Yes, 1 am in his power-always have
been and always shall, be-" she said DULY.
"If you don't accede to his wishes and
marry him he will do his worst-and that
worst is far more terrible than you can
conceive"
Maud pulled her mothers hands away
from her face and gazed into her eyes.
"This Is frightful." she cried. you
must explain yourself, mother. What |
have you done-what have done that you |
should speak like this? You must tell |
me. cannot endure this awful sus-
pense"
In her mothers eyes she read only des- /
pair and resolution born OF despair. II |
cannot tell YOU" said Mrs. Plessey dog
gedly; ut is cruel to ask me. Something
dreadful happened years ago. What
was done was done for your sake.
Gilbert has run risks, too. was
weak; l was too fond of you and
you won't stretch out your little finger
TO save me from ruin"
Maud sprang to her feet you talk OF
having committed crimes or indiscretions
for my sake. cannot In the least under
stand you. I have right to know the
extent OF your claim on my gratitude. AS
to Gilbert" she shuddered-'the bare
notion OF owing anything to him is
hideous.'
~ cannot tell you" repeated the older
woman. "You cannot expect me to hui
initiate myself before my own child.
tnow you have not been very affection
ate daughter, but hoped that you would
have sufficient natural feeling to listen
10 your mothers appeal"
She rose from her chair and stretched
,ut her arms in entreaty For my sake
Maud, marry that mani have admitted
hat once cared for him. You can guess.
hen, what 1t costs me to ask you this!"
And 10 Mauds horror her mother fell on
ner knees and raised her claspsd hands
70 her.
"Get up. mother. for heavens saker'
he cried. She dragged the older woman
~ main force to her feet. II don't know
ghy you called me an unaffectiOnRte
laughter Just now." she went on bitterly.
with the least eneouragement from you
would have been anectonate enough, |
But what you ask is wrong and
I have a right 10 my own
ife Why should be sacrificed to pay
your debts 70 Gilbert Huron2 It's mon
itrous; it's horrible. l love Martin Ar
'ol, and l marry him or no one else"
She began TO pace the room, furious
With anger. Her mother staggered to-
ward the fireplace, and, clutching at the
stood staring into the flames
II don't understand all this" went on
he girl. There Is some dreadful mys-
cry here. Great heayensl" she cried, as
ielf She went up to her mother, and.
erlSing up her chin. looked into her face
Has all this-this secret-anything 70 dc
With my fathers death?"
Mrs. Plessey closed her eyes and drew
n her breath as Il In acute agony. She
ieemed almost 10 faint. Very gently
Maud led her back 10 her chair and let
Ter sink into Il. Then she stood over her
her own heart beating pain
ully. her whole being sick with appre-
iension
you must answer me, mother she
aid hFmly. as Mrs Plessey opened her
yes
what do you want TO knoWf' asked
he older woman falntly.
Whether you were in any way respon-
ibls Tor my fathers deathl,'
What use would t bo to answer your
luesil0n1 You have resolved 70 DO moth
ng 70 save me. Ii does not matter what
have done. 1 have told you the one
gay 81 which you can help me-"
nIhla rs not 3 time for aFasioaa erlad
ht airl paaaiplatsiY N muat know the
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