oman!"

"Yes, Henry Ferguson; it's very proper you should take me away from a
place like this."

As the man who had called himself Wilson Ostrom heard that voice he
trembled like an aspen; his clasp of Alida relaxed, his arms dropped to
his side, and, as he sank into a chair and covered his face with his
hands, he groaned, "Lost!"

"Found out, you mean," was the woman's reply.

Step by step, with horror-stricken eyes, Alida retreated from the man
to whose protection and embrace she had flown. "Then it's true?" she
said in a hoarse whisper.

He was speechless.

"You are willfully blind now, miss, if you don't see it's true," was
the stranger's biting comment.

Paying no heed to her, Alida's eyes rested on the man whom she had
believed to be her husband. She took an irresolute step toward him.
"Speak, Wilson!" she cried. "I gave you my whole faith and no one shall
destroy it but yourself. Speak, explain! Show me that there's some
horrible mistake."

"Lida," said the man, lifting his bloodless face, "if you knew all the
circumstances--"

"She shall know them!" half shrieked the woman, as if at last stung to
fury. "I see that you both hope to get through this affair with a
little high tragedy, then escape and come together again in some other
hiding place. As for this creature, she can go where she pleases,
after hearing the truth; but you, Henry Ferguson, have got to do your
duty by me and your child or go to prison. Let me tell you, miss, that
this man was also married to me by a minister. I have my certificate
and can produce witnesses. There's one little point you'll do well to
consider," she continued, in bitter sarcasm, "he married me first. I
suppose you are not so young and innocent as not to know where this
fact places YOU. He courted and won me as other girls are courted and
married. He promised me all that he ever promised you. Then, when I
lost my rosy cheeks--when I became sick and feeble from
child-bearing--he deserted and left me almost penniless. You needn't
think you will have to take my word for this. I have proof enough.
And now, Henry Ferguson, I've a few words for you, and then you must
take your choice. You can't escape. I and my brother have tracked you
here. You can't leave these rooms without going to prison. You'd be
taken at the very door. But I give you one more chance. If you will
promise before God to do your duty by me and your child, I'll forgive
as far as a wro