登陆注册
4617600000022

第22章

Alida had glanced at the proofs which the woman had thrust into her hands, then staggered back to a lounge that stood near. She might have fainted, but at that awful moment she heard a familiar step on the stairs. She was facing the door; the terrible stranger sat at one side, with her back toward it.

When Ostrom entered he first saw Alida looking pale and ill. He hastened toward her exclaiming, "Why, Lida, dear, what is the matter? You are sick!"Instinctively she sprang to his arms, crying, "Oh, thank God! You've come.

Take away this awful woman!"

"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 wronged woman can forgive. Neither I nor my brother will take proceedings against you. What this woman will do I don't know. If she prosecutes you, and you are true to me, I'll stand by you, but Iwon't stand another false step or a false word from you."Ferguson had again sunk into his chair, buried his face in his hands, and sat trembling and speechless. Never for an instant had Alida taken her eyes from him; and now, with a long, wailing cry, she exclaimed, "Thank God, thank God!

Mother's dead."

This was now her best consolation. She rushed into her bedchamber, and a moment later came out, wearing her hat and cloak. Ferguson started up and was about to speak, but she silenced him by a gesture, and her tones were sad and stern as she said, "Mr. Ferguson, from your manner more truly than from this woman, I learn the truth. You took advantage of my misfortunes, my sorrow and friendlessness, to deceive me. You know how false are your wife's words about my eagerness to be deceived and married. But you have nothing to fear from me. I shall not prosecute you as she suggests, and I charge you before God to do your duty by your wife and child and never to speak to me again." Turning, she hastened toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Ferguson exclaimed, seeking to intercept her.

She waved him off. "I don't know," she replied. "I've no right to be here,"and she fled down the stairway and out into the darkness.

The child had not wakened. It was well that it had not looked upon such a scene, even in utter ignorance of its meaning.

同类推荐
  • 西厢记

    西厢记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 贺邢州卢员外

    贺邢州卢员外

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • NO NAME

    NO NAME

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 名臣碑传琬琰集

    名臣碑传琬琰集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 入楞伽经

    入楞伽经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 咏史诗·杀子谷

    咏史诗·杀子谷

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 韩芊传

    韩芊传

    为了探索宇宙飞船无法靠近的X2727空间。宇宙联盟空间探索研究院,利用最新研制的空间机器人。携带韩芊的灵魂,破开重重空间壁垒。最终穿越到同名同姓的女子身上,且看韩芊在异界怎样大放光彩。
  • 笔触家山——吴显果乡镇历史文化散文作品集

    笔触家山——吴显果乡镇历史文化散文作品集

    作为四川作家协会的一名会员作家,我生在仪陇,长在仪陇,对于家乡的文学视野基本是全景式的。但因为职业的原因,我一直浸沉于通讯与报告文学之中。对于散文,却从未想着去染指。
  • 第七十一个电话

    第七十一个电话

    杨袭,女,1976年出生于黄河口,08年始在《大家》《作品》《黄河文学》《飞天》《山东文学》等文学杂志发表小说。
  • 花朵盛开的灵魂

    花朵盛开的灵魂

    文学创作应是心灵的磨炼与净化过程。如果说作家是采矿者,编选作品集则是淘金的事业。这套《香城文丛》从征稿到出版,历经三次选稿,从两百多万字中精选了五本约一百万字予以出版。前前后后屈指算来,有四年多的时间,真可谓天地悠悠了。望着一大堆书稿,不禁产生对生命与人生的深沉感悟。脚下的土地曾经有过苦难,而又春光明媚,孕育着更大的希望。人们常说,这是一片热土,地灵人杰,文化底蕴深厚,文化事业蓬勃发展,让世人瞩目。《香城文丛》在此诞生,实是一种幸运。
  • 乱世鬼才:郭嘉

    乱世鬼才:郭嘉

    东汉末年谋士郭嘉,自幼父母双亡,少时与爷爷一起成长,得一同乡资助读书,成绩斐然。在帮助同乡解决家中闹鬼的过程中,结识一哑巴女子名为澜月,并收留她在身边。成年后虽隐居山林,但广结英豪,期待一展宏图之志。后投靠袁绍,呆了数十日,看清袁绍不是明主,愤而离开。之后过了六年隐居生活,期间娶了澜月为妻。建安元年,好友荀彧把郭嘉介绍给了曹操。郭嘉不拘礼节,有话直说的个性受到曹操的赞赏,而曹操做事务实,不拘一格的性格也深受郭嘉信服。随后,郭嘉帮助曹操先后征打败张绣、吕布,之后更是在官渡大败袁绍。在这个过程中,两人渐渐由君臣变成知己。最终,郭嘉帮助曹操一统北方,却在征乌桓回军途中身染重疾去世,曹操痛心不已。
  • 萌主殿下恋爱吧

    萌主殿下恋爱吧

    她从来没有想过会有人喜欢她,居然还到了痴迷的地步。他眼里,她就像星光,那样耀眼。她是指引他获得新生的天使,他会不顾所有的守护她。友情和爱情碰撞时,他还能理智的选择吗?冷漠如冰块的恶魔骑士,温暖如春风的完美王子,又会给原本不属于那个世界的灰姑娘带去怎么样的奇妙旅程。最后谁又会成功的为灰姑娘穿上水晶鞋!一切尽在——萌主殿下,恋爱吧!
  • 恋着多欢喜

    恋着多欢喜

    医学系公认颜值爆表的高冷教授!竟是她在医院问诊的腹黑男医生!“周师兄,你的香水真好闻。”“难得有女生愿意把剃须水当香水用,鄙人真是荣幸之极。”因为我喜欢你,所以才千方百计,闯入你的生命。
  • 爱我就好

    爱我就好

    因为我不知道,下辈子是否还能够遇见你。所以,我今生才会那么努力,把最好的给你。友情也好,爱情也罢。有人说,别离就是为了重遇。我不知道那个背叛了爱情的你,是否还会与我重逢……
  • 每次告别都有一颗星熄灭

    每次告别都有一颗星熄灭

    故事发生在南方虚构城市草芥与首都北京之间。大一新生元洛知是一个超级奶姐,和妈妈抚养着一个不会长大的神秘婴儿,因为一场乌龙认识了曾经的胖同学现在的正太萌男纪康一、嘴巴狠毒心肠很好的富家女申奥、对她忽冷忽热的席音以及年轻的服装公司老板迟征。元洛知的妈妈在家庭困难的情况下狠心卖掉了婴儿,使这五个人踏上了寻婴的旅程,从而彻底改变了他们的人生,表面的平静背后,竟然牵扯起两代人,三段时空之间巨大的矛盾纠葛,五个人的友情爱情面临考验,申奥在首都北京的一次生日party,彻底引爆了这个炸弹,他们曾经眷恋着的星光,终于全部熄灭。