Page:The Mystery of Central Park.djvu/221

Rh "I would rather die," she answered me, angrily.

I knew then it was too late. There was no way to retreat. Either I must accomplish my purpose, or renounce all claim to Miss Chamberlain and take Lucille as my wife.

"We have been very happy these two weeks, haven't we, Tolman?" she said, with her arms about my neck. "Kiss your little one good-by, for when she comes back here she will be your wife."

"Yes, when you come back," I said, and I kissed her. With that there flitted through my mind a picture of a little quiet home with her as my wife. I thought of her beauty, but then came the thought that it would cost me what I most longed for—wealth—position. No, it was too late.

I drove to the curb almost the instant she had reached there, and only stopped long enough to get her in. I had a valise, which