Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1925-03-20

forgetfulness !"
And, shuddering, she remained
standing where she was like a cata-
leptic.
$50 We Iced there, tool" cried
Father McGrath to Railway in white
hot wrath. "Ye've proved yerseP a
triple leear the moo, for Pelly's deid-"
"Dead?" shouted Railway.
AYE, deid these mony months, and
We claimed he was alive, and in your
power, so that We could get possession
of this puir girl we've deceived"
But he broke off, and Railway made
no reply, but watched him as he strobe
to the spot where Joyce was standing.
Gently he took her hand in his and be-
gan to whisper in her ear And all the
while there was silence, and yet it
seemed as if through that silence in
Vulnerable powers were in conflict
man against man, man against law,
man against God.
Then Lee cried out in tone so wild
that even PATHWAY and Railways men
appeared awed by it:
"She's mine in the sight of God!
Joyce, tell me that you care nothing
for this trick that has been played on
you! Tell me that you will defy this
man and come away with mel"
Railway stepped forward, covering
Lee with pistol.
by heaven" he swore, TIL blow
your brains out If you NEEDLE with me
or mine, and there's no court In this
land will hold me guilty"
Lee scarcely seemed to be aware of
him. He was holding out his arms
to Joyce, and she was trembling, and
looking at him, irresClute. Father Nc
Grath was holding her hands and still
whispering in her ear. And suddenly
dreadful change came over Lees
face. Confidence was replaced by
look of mortal anguish.
"Joyce !" he cried wildly.
Joyce looked at the priest, who step
ped between them; but it was Joyce
whom he addressed, not Lee.
MY child, you married James Rath-
way Of your ain free will" he said.
"The motive has ma bearing on the
situation. He didna constrain you by
fear of violence. Twas to save your
father you did it, you say-aye, but
twas to save him from the just proc
esses of the law. There's, nae way
oot my dear. This mans your
husband"
He looked at Lee. "Tis the saddest
thing I've known" he said, but We
see this makes the ceremony we've
been through valueless. There's nae
way DOT O. it-nane at all, lad. SO
you twa must cen just say guidbye."
Lee turned to Joyce. He cried her
name. She tottered toward him, hands
outstretched, cropping before her, as if
she were blind.
She found him, their hands clasped
each other thus during period of
silence that seemed all eternity COM
pressed into few moments.
The words came monotonously from
Lees lips: "Joyce, are you-going-to
that man o-calls-himself your
-husband?"
She bowed her head. Their eyes
met, his in a dumb prolongation of
that question, hers in mute, helpless
agony.
Then suddenly Lee released her. He
Strengthened himself, stood up stittiy,
and squared his shoulders, as if he
were on parade. And quietly he
turned away.
Then the silence was broken by a
wild laugh from Railway. There was
something in that laugh more devilish
even than in the situation. For 1t was
amused, shameless, merciless, devoid
of any human element; it was like
the laugh that the hyena gives over
the kiss of some nobler beast that it
has supplanted
Put his pack out of my house,
Pierre Fling 1t out into the spow!"
he shouted, chuckling. What your
pack, is 1t? Never mind. we'll let him
keep it. Can't turn the poor devil
out into the snow to freeze. He'll go
to jul later on for stealing it."
He strobe up to Joyce and clapped
his hand upon her shoulder. Joyce,
my dearie, have you said goodbye to
your sweetheart?" he asked. Wen
make this place our headquarters for a
little honeymoon before going back to
Siston lake-what d'you say to thatT
The girl shrank under his touch.
Railway saw it and scowled. But
he turned toward Lee, his face alight
with triumph.
"You-take yourself away with your
stolen goods, and don't let me catch
you hanging round my wife again J"
he shouted. "Or I'll shoot you like
the dog that you are. And, harken,
Mr.. Andersonl Don't you ever dare
to show your face among decent men
again, or I'll have you jaiIed!"
Father McGrath strobe forward, his
face working with emotion.
AYE, James Railway, ye're feeling
your triumph the noo," he cried, "and