Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-21
RETRIBUTION.
BY THE DUCHESS
fCsRtinued.l

aim. Tier tone IN low ana SELF feprOnch.
full. elbow strong Is fate" she says
presently. "To drive me hereto com
pei me TO wear what had never worn
before. But am not rcgrctful." cries
she, suddenly, with n touch Of vche-
mcnce. "IIe will be able 10 explain, of
course. And now Lady Valworth and
Millicent will get back their own."
She tears OF the sapphire ornament
and throws II into Duran's palm with q
shuddcr.
~ must see Lady valworth. must
speak with her." exclaims Nadine,
eagerly. Her checks are burning, her
hands tremulous.
"Wait until tomorrow.
az shall not wait another moment. I
cannot live with this weight upon my
heart" She presses her hands convul-
sivcly against her breast. "Takc me to
her." she implorcs, family.
Seeing the excitement thnt Is bctraying
itself in glance and gesture, Duran draws
her hand through his arm aud leads her
from the conservatory. The ten room Is
now deserted, and they pass into the hall
without cncountcring anybody. Mid
night chimes from some distant tower,
the solemn sound breaking even through
tho light sparkling dance music that
comes from the ball room OH their left
and that swclls and rings through the
house.
"Thc last train Is in. am afraid Lady
valworth will be taken mp with her son.
lie has surely arrived, or Is on the point
OF Erriving," says Duran to his compan-
ion In low tone. Nevertheless, we
will try II II be possible 10 see her alone
for even few minutes"
A servant gives them She information
that her ladyship has just passed into
the library In momentary expectation Of
Capt. Eoylc's arrival. There they find
her with Millicent, whom she has en-
treated to stay with her, and Sir Thomas.
AS Nadine and Duran enter Sir Thomas
is cxpostulating little on his wifo's
descrtion Of her guests.
at will be but for littlo while, few
moments" returns she eagerly. "Hc
must. he will come by this train; and
Clarissa" (Mrs. BRANDY "has taken my
place. shall not be missed for half an
hour, and he Is suro to come straight
here"
She looks up rather impaticntly rs Ma
dine comes into the room. The girl Is
white as death and trembling with ns:ia-
ton. Going up to Lady Valworth, she
lays the sapphire pendant upon the table
near her.
W.ady Vnlworth," she says gently, her
voice low and earnest, "it IL only Just
now that have heard from Mr.. Duran
about this" pointing TO the sapphircs.
"And your diamond cross-it IL upstairs
-yon shall have II in u few moments.
But what want TO sny isis She
faltcrs. II il evident in her excitement
she has forgotten what II was she hnd mr.
ranged TO say. az knew nothing Of It,"
she breaks out at last pitifully, her large
eyes fixed with mournful cntrcaty upon
Lady Valworth.
That kiHd woman II touched TO tho
quiet. Indeed, she Ind never suspected
Nadine Of being anything but victim In
the matter. although her perplexity dur
ing the day had led her into cOldness ol
manner TINT the girl had misconstrIcd.
"My dear child, what miserable idea
for you TO get into your head. :" she
cries, kindly. Come, now, I will have
only happy faces round me tonight,
when my son is expected. II is his birth
night. as You know; we must give him
only smiles. As for our lost Jewels, to
morrow you will give mo any information
you can, and probably you will be the
one 10 restore them to me-"
She pressed Nadinc's hand kindly.
lyon should not have told her to
night" cxclaims Millicent, looking re-
proachfully ut Duran.
"Oh, Il Is better so-much better
says Nadine. "lt would have been hor
riblc TO wear that stolen ornament mo
ment longer"
At this moment the door II thrown
wide open. and tall man enters the
room. l.ady Valworth. with little cry,
rTEhes forward 10 greet him. She In;
forgotten everything. except that this |:
her son, and that he has returned To her
But n movement on Nadinc's part
checks her. The girl. too, after nm in
stant's stunned surprise, has taken few
steps forward and thrown out her arms
In the direction of the new conner.
"why! There he Is. There he IL him
self" she cries IN Gear voice, touched
by excitement. snow lie Is come, he Will
explain ALL"
"Ilc! What should he have TO cx
plain" demands Lady Valworth. stop
ping short and liking n stern glance upon
her
"IIc will tell you how he got the ,lia
monds. the sapphircs, that he gave me"
returns Nadine eagerly, her eyes brilliant
her lips apart.
Sninc color has risen to her face.
"NhHt farce IL this you would play
girl'" cxclRIms Lady Valworth, in low
but terrible tone.
"That"-pointing TO where the tai
figure stands in the doorway-''is my sor
Grant Boyie!"
"Madame! that is--Paul Anncrlcy"