The advertiser. (Wilmington, Del.) 1879-18??, 1879-11-22

iubO IOOul.
''Ah, ah, she loves this creature-his
child it must be. Well, it is pretty thing;
but not to be compared to her dark, proud,
passionate self"
Yet Vignaux kept his gaze upon Miriam
and registered vow concerning her.
Did Lady Edes fathom, his thoughts2
Certainly the girlA@as seldom to be seen
after that day.
The Frenchman merely smiled as he
noted the fact. ~.
He was in high favor with the guests, and
enjoyed the spirits.
1t seemed that he could well dispense
with making himself agreeable to a baby
faced schoolgirl.
He even did not often put himself in
direct association with the dark eyed host
ess who treated him with unfathomable
careless pride.
And Lady Edes9
She endured each days suspense without
the slightest betrayal of its exquisite torture.
Vignaux could not discover that she
writhed under his most exalted or insinuat-
ing compliments
And who should guess, who could know
of the bitter night vigils she kept, when she
stole softly from her dress. ng room to shed
hot, heart broken tears at Miriams bedside,
or to bend above her husbands unconscious
form in an agony of deathless and dreading
love?
But still the blow that she expected had
not fallen, though the guests were prepar-
ing to say farewell to their noble hosts.
Sometimes Margery drew her breath in a
sudden spasm of hope.
Perhaps Vignaux meant to spare her.
But when she was dressed for dinner the
last day of the Frenchman's stay, and came
out into the upper corridor; she was un-
deceived.
! ~1x advanced to meet her.
usSaEl1sss ee you in the billiard-room while
the gentlemen are stiIl at table, he whis-
pered with easy insolence, as they were
joined by another guest.
Lady Edes marvelled how she lived
through that dinner hour, though hers was
the most brilliant repartee, the readiest
laughter.
But Vlgnaux saw the unutterable woe
that dilated her eyes as her glance, while
leaving the room, rested upon her husbands
face.
Ten minutes later she stepped into the
bllliard-room and found her enemy await
ing her.
"Pray be seated, Lady Edes," he said,
gallantly, as she stopped, haughtily, few
steps from him.
She threw her head back proudly.
mo need, sir; our interview must be
brief"
"For fear that you will be discovered
here9 1t would not be nearly so unpleas-
ant fact as certain truth could reveal.
However, we will be quits concerning that
upon one condition, Margery."
"Name it,"
81 want to marry Lord Edes's daughter,
and"
''Her forty thousand year," suggested
Lady Edes, scornfully.
"Of course like the money but let me
toll you truth, my black eyed beauty. l
could renounce it for your sweet sake; but
l know you will not come-bah you idol
ize that fair effeminate husband of yours-so
will make second choice and marry the
pretty Miriam"
''You never shall ~
Lady Edes's face was full, now, of con-
centrated passion.
'No?" said Vignaux, with tantalising
ooolness. 'Perhaps you are not aware that
despite your little precautions, have seen
the girl daily since came; that sheis mine,
soul and body, by right of the most pas
sionate and abandoned love; that like a
rash and precipitate Margery Ware, we once
knew she is ready to renounce friends and
the world for my sake"
Lady Edes regarded him for minute in
silent horror.
She did not doubt the mans assertions. !
She knew him capable of deadly fascina-
tion and diabolical duplicity.
81 will save Miriam from you and from
herself !" she cried, at last.
''But a. what cost Have you counted
that9 think it is too large sum for you
to pay. You will bring about my marriage
with this girl"
81 tell you l never Will would sooner
kill her with my own hand than see her
your wife" !