The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-12-20
CHAPTER X.
ESCAPED.
A trail that has for end
The object OF q hate its wild


Atrail that has for end
The object OF q hate its wild.
old soSs.
A week sped by at the villa, and the fes
tivities we're at their full height. In the
prevailing enjoyment the beautiful Miss
Durand found too keen an enjoyment IL
being the admired centre of the little
group around her to admit of her planning
beyond the living present, for in that pres
ent she found a cOntentment akin to nc
pleasure she had ever before experienced.
AS the quiet brooklet flows on its
course, serene and calm, until some ftful
breeze awakens ruffie of unrest upon its
pellucid bosom, so the belle of the little
eetsrie at Myrtle Villa presented q uni
form winning demeanor until rudely an
noying occurrence brought to her reminis-
cences of past and made her again the
scheming, plotting woman which she had
ever previously been.
She had returned to the villa, from a
boating trip up the lake, late in the eve
ming, when Myrtle, who had remained
with some of the guests at home that af-
ternoon, came down the steps, tripping
lightly down the lawn to meet the return
ing voyagers.
"You are discovered, Miss Durand, she
cried, gayly.
Beatrice looked qucstioningly at her
fair companion.
''What is itf she queried.
IA letter, and Myrtle handed her a
missive. 1T came by the afternoon mail
A love-letter, | know"
Beatrice returned the gay banter in the
same spirit and vim, and then retired to
her room.
Gould not he let me have few weeks
at least to myself r. she murmured, petu-
lantly, as she recognized the handwriting
upon the envelope. II wonder what it is
now, money, OF threats1'
She frowned darkly as she opened the
letter ard read it, her fSce becoming frown-
ing in its expression as she perused the
brief note.
"He is concise and bold, she said, Bit
terly, as she finished the perusal of the
letter.
1t read
"BEATRICE: There is no need Of any
false delicacy between you and l. l have
been companion and tool to you for too
long a time to cover a request tor few
hundred dollars with apologies for the de-
mand. / am without a cent, and the only
expectation ] have of obtaining q few
dollars is from you. Gambling and wine
brought he this penury, and remen-
brance of what | know on your part will
doubtless bring forth the money desire
$400 or 80. In the case of your refusal,
must sell my talents for what they will
bring, my talents being propensity for
bartering valuable secrets.
VANE.
81 will brave him, said the woman, a
glimmer of defiance coming into her eyes.
81 will answer his letter, and now"
She took up pen and wrote but few
words. They we're as follows:
"Instead of threats from Vane Evelyn
being the means of extorting money, they
will recall to the remembrance of the off.
cials of a certain place the fact of for.
gerry he committed not SO long ago but
that he may be imprisoned for it.
And then she descended to the compa-
ny in the drswing-rooms below.
She was not at ease when she considered
that there was possibility of Vane Eve
lyn coming to Myrtle Villa and annoying
her with his opportunities for money. She
did not anticipate an exposure; she wa,
only in doubt as to the effect Of the ap-
pearance Of Vsne Evelyn upon the Col
Onel, whom she had so beguiled into
love for her that she believed that h
would readily, upon the slightest encour
agement, make proposal of marriage Il
her.
She was not 80 vivacious and lively u
upon the evenings, when she had been tn,
very life of the company. Now she wa
not even conversational, and, as the com
psny were gathered around the piano, lis
tening to a song from one of the visitor
at the villa, she stole away, as she though
unperceived, to the library.
She sat in meditation for some time, ant
then mechanically picked up paper whicl
lay upon the table before her.
It was . New York paper of resent date
and contained an account Of the curren
news Of the day. As her eyes wsnderet
down the page, she started and as she saw
an article which had attracted her eye b,
the occurrence of a name which she hal
almost forgotten, form entered the door
| SAAo 0A0 AAOS uOSACO WuO IL was, AlAQ blA
went on reading. She read the srticl
through, growing paler as she reached it
end, and then sank back in her seat will
q low murmur Of distress.
An arm had encircled her fainting form
ss she did 30, for Colonel Adams had en-
tered the room. He held her while witt
his hand he reached glass of water upol
the table before her and held il to her lips
She felt the pressure of his arm, and pc
litic endeavor led her to sustain the pre-
tence of fainting. as he, won by the ststu
esqus beauty of that lovely face, bent owe
and pressed one rapturOus, long kiss upo
her red hps.
Colonel AdamsR she murmured.
There was no reproach in the tone of he
voice-only well-assumsd confusion h
saW that she was conscious OF his kiss, an
be bent over her fervently.
"You arc unwsl, no cried. LIST m