"Why, why did you do this? I care not to live."
Half an hour later he lay upon the bed in his own room, his wife and daughter standing over him, administering to his comfort, for he was utterly prostrated.
"Why, oh, why did you cross my purpose?" he said. "I am lost. Belle destroyed my last hope. But I do not blame her."
His daughter, engaged bathing his temples, said:
"Oh, Papa, do you wish to leave us?"
"No! but I cannot remain and face this disgrace. No! I must go, I must go unless, unless—" He hesitated.
"Unless what?" quickly interrupted Belle.
"Unless you save me by marrying Walter Mannis," he said.
Belle, looking into his pale face and blood-shot eyes, fully realized his broken-down condition. Finding that there was but one hope of saving his life, a deep sigh escaped her, and she gasped: