The Elbert County tribune., 1918-02-08

dilapfdated cottage she plunged in to
rescue her baby. The man flung the
door shut after her and bolted 1T.
Then he seized her and fastened her
securely. A second later he hurried
out, carrying the baby away under her
tortured eyes.
81 hid the kid in the barn, an
then / went back and told the girl
she's got to marry me or else I'd leave
the kid to starve. 1t was lots of fun
SEEM her cry and beg for mercy
more than l knew when Conley thought
of the plan an made the bargain with
him."
Mother love Notwithstanding mat
tered but the life of the baby. Madge
knew she was going to utter degrada-
ton. But she was ready; she must
brave all for the sake of her baby.
But wave on wave of horror went
over her whea wilkins seized her and
crushed her in his arms. She felt her
self helpless to cope with the force of
his brutality she thought herself alone
in these gloomy woods, but normal in
stincts of self-preservation had made
her shrek for help, and her cries had
led Jimmy and me straight to the cab
In door.
And that was the story wilkins
told and l witnessed.
Jimmy and / had been sent special
invitations to the "Conley-Payne" we'd
ding. When we entered the Payne
drawing room and l beheld the floral
altar of marvellous roses banked across
one end of the room, my heart gave
sudden contraction, half fear and half
pity.
And then Richard Conley entered
the room and crossed to the floral al
tar back of which stood the surpliced
minister. His face was chalk white
In the front row of spectators stood
Richards father-dominant, arrogant,
Winchester Payne, banker and dip
lomat, entered his drawing room, and
on his arm leaned the yelled figure of
the bride.
And then the ceremony besan-thef
ceremony which gave Margaret to
Richard as wife.
| Presently it was finished and the
minister pronounced the benedictlon.
Then the groom leaned forward and
threw back the brides veil. 1 clutched
Jimnys arm and watched the guests.
a stir went through the assemblage
of guests. Richard Conley, Sr., leaped
forward with shout of rage.
| For when the brides veil was thrown
back the face framed in the folds of
white tulle was not that of Margaret
Payne. but of a starry-eyed, tremulous.
Tipped girl whom Jimmy and had sub.
stituted for the bride.
| at isn't legal. I'll have it annulledl ~
shrieked Conley. senior.
But Richard Conley said nothing. A
little muscle across his jaw was twitch.
ing and his eyes had grown very dark
and We're shining with clear steadi.
ness Some purpose seemed to be set
ting his weak mouth into a mold-was
1t stubbornness or strength?
| "Oh, L guess it's legal all right" said
Jimmy, stepping forward and holding
out paper-the signed confession of
wilkins. You see this is license
making it legal. Mrs. Richard Conley.
Jr., got it today"
| And thea another actor came upon
the scene. In the doorway stood the
butler leading Harry Wilkins-the evil
man of the Blue Cove. Jimmy pointed
to him and spoke in a low voice to
Richard.
IF it isn't legal, you will make IT
SO or go to the penitentiary."
At Jii1ny's words, Richard Conlev's
lips twisted into srarl. go to the
penite1tiary on the word of the village
idiot" said he. well, l guess not
now dare you folks interfere? What
40 you mean by playing providence
IKE this? Have you thought of the
other girl, of MargaretT
But before we could answer. Mar.
garet Payne appeared in the doorway
OF her home. In her arms was the lit
ue nameless blue-eyed baby which
looked SO much like the father who
mad never owned it. And then n sud-
zen change came across Richard Con-
iey's face. There is an instinct of IA
therhood, too. He walked over to the
side of the girl he had meant to marry
and from her arms he took his baby.
Come, Madge-we'Il go home" said
ne. Perhaps there was not love and
longing in his voice--but 1 think there
was tenderness even ther.
| (END OF sEvENcA NPIsODHl