Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1916-01-26

stood irreSolute. That's your father,
I'll bet l don't want to see him.
Thereu be devil of row."
"But Gerald May began, and the
knock at the door came again, louder
than before.
Trask made a quick step TO the girls
side. He spoke very rapidly. Listen
to me. I'm going into the other room
III wait in there while you talk to the
old man. If he asks for me tell him
I'm out. Get rid of him as quickly as
you can. Do you understands"
The idea that the person who knock
ed might be the lOnged for clergyman
still Obsessed May. She replied:
''Yes, but if it's Mr.. Smith
do as / tell you! Do you hear me|
Trask Kissed at her, and the next Sec
Ond saw him disappear into the inner
room.
And then the person who had knock
ed, tired of waiting for an invitation to
enter, turned the knob and entered
without being asked. 1t was a tall,
middle aged man. whose sternly set
features bore a strong resemblance to
those of May Deane. As he entered
the room May ran to him and was
clasped in his arms.
Father she exclaimed.
He held her in a close embrace, but
he said no word of endearment to her.
his voice was terribly calm as he
asked:
where's Trask?'
''Why did you come, fatherY
Where is hep
'He-he'S out"
''When is he coming back?'
"Why-nOt for quite awhile. How
did you know we were here. father?
Never mind now. Get your things,
May. We're going home"
But. father. Gerald and | are going
to be married this morning"
''Get your things. May" he repeated.
But this time his features softened
and there was cOmmiseratiOn for his
dearly beloved child in his voice. He
released her from his embrace.
She. on the other hand. tried hard to
explain to her father. Her voice and
manner were plaintive as she said:
But. father. you don't seem TO TN
derstand. Gerald and | are going to
be married. We're waiting for lhe
clergyman"
Fate willed it that the heaviest blow
that ever fell on May Deane, after
ward May Strickland. should come
from the hands of the man who had
loved her from the moment of her
birth. Deune would have given his
own life to avert it, but it was his lot
to say:
He can't marry you. He is mar
ried man.
The force Of the shock was in no
manner lessened by the preliminary
warnings that had come to May. She
could only gasp:
Married.
His wife telephoned to me this
morning. She's been having him
watched"
NO. | don't believe it! | don't be-
lieve it. Father. don't you under
staud?'
In her agitation May had exchanged
positions with her father. the latter be-
ing now we'll advanced into the room
Her back was toward the door, so that
she did not see the young woman. in
travelling costume. enter the room.
Now May turned and saw the new
conner.
who are your May asked What
DO you want?' And to her father:
WHO is she?'
This is Mrs. Trask," said Deane.
The other woman turned to May
with a glance and a gesture of sympa-
thy. You'd better so home with your
father" she said in low, grave voice.
For few seconds May stood dazed,
looking from one to the other. Then
she rushed across the room to the door
of the inner chamber, which she flung
open
Gerald. Geraldr' she cried.
The inner room was unOccupied.
May came out and stood at the door,
swaying. From outside came the rapid
chug-chugging of a swiftly driven mo-
tOrcar. May rushed to the window,
parted the curtains and looked out.
Deane went swiftly to her side just In
time to catch her as she tainted. with
another cry of "Geraldr
such was the story told on the wit
ness stand by May Deane, now May
Strickland. TO save her husband, Rob
ert Strickland. accused Of numbering
Gerald Trask
Never vas a story more simply told,
with less theauicaness, with more
genuineness Of manner. For the most
part. tile young woman kept her head
bowed rs she spoke. but from time 70
time she looked UP. and her glance fell
upon her husband. When she did 50
she faltered for just moment, but
she recovered herself and went on
firmly. 1t was evident that she had
steeIed herself for this time when she