The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-03-01

dead swoon at the strangers feet.
The sound Of her fall was quickly
followed by that Of an opening door
at the further end of the room. as
Mr. Austin's model. wearing n startl-
ed look on her beautiful face, bur~
ried in from the adjoining studio.
But the strangers back was turned
to her as he bent over the PROSTATE
figure OF Dora.
Nor was he aware OF the women's
presence in the apartment until che
touched him lightly on the shoulder
and in . rather tmid voice eaid: lie
the lady i'll, sir I / was 10 the next
room and heard-Heavens, Mark
you here !
Ellen I The man had suddenly
turned his face towards the speaker,
while still STOPPING over Mr.. Aus-
tins senseless body. oh, | recols
lect, be continued sternly you told
mo that you went out as model
and this womans husband is 40 ar
tist. That accounts, perhaps, for
yonr being here, and you may thank
your stars for having so good an ex-
cuse. If thought you had followed
me-
Tho angry flash of his dark eyes
finished tue sentence more power-
fully than words could have done.
Trembling 10 every limb, the 40
man answered, pleadingly: i bad
no thought of following you, Mark.
/ never imagined that you knew this
lady. l.
Leave tho house instantly, Ellen
Do not hesitate a moment, but go at
ouce.'
The woman shudiered and turned
towards the door leading into the
studio.
Il may explain this matter to yon
some other time the man contiu
ued; but remember, warn you
against remaining in this house q
moment longer than you can help.
When the studio door bad closed
behind the wowar's retreatipg steps
Mark Dillon once more bent over
the white face Of Dora Austin. A
faint shiver convulsea her frame al
this moment, and while his gaze was
eagerly fastened upon her counte-
nance the silken lashes slowly lifted
themselves from her eyes.
Then it was no dream she mur.
mnred hoarsely, rising from her fal
len posture, assisted by the man she
addressed. You have come she
presently continued, 'to reveal all
to- to Melville Austin
She sank back into an arm. chair
now, with a weary, gasping sigh.
L haven't come to do anything o
the sort, Dora Dillon the man sale
with kind of sullen emphasis iu biz
grnff tones. Il don't wish to claim
you as my wife. You believed m,
dead three years ago and married
Melville Austin; there's nothing par.
ticularly culpable about your conduc
as far as can discover. l shall b,
the last one, depend upon it, m,
dear Mrs. Austin, to reveal anything
disagreeable concerning your ante'
cedents.
, And why will you reveal nothing
, Let there be no disguise between us
Mark Dillon. know your bruta
. nature thoroughly. You cam her
this morning to sell your silence. l
: it not 80 !?
: you are perfectly right, Mrs. Aus
: tin-or Mrs. Dillon. Which is t,
be, by the way p
} His tones were deiantly superci
lions; his keen, cruel eyes wereifixet
upon the agonized woman like
thing of serpent's pitiless gaz
when the prey is within easy distanc
and possession has become Ger.
tainty.
, But Mark Dillon started back will
] amazement as Dora answered him
calmly, scornfully and decisively il
\ the following words:
: Il shall not deceive man to whom
I owe all the happiness I have eve
! enjoyed in this world--the maj
. whom love-. honor lnd reverence
3 as only o nature like Melville Aus
tins is worthy OF being regarded
0 When married him, Mark Dillon
> I acted upon my firm conviction o
your death. Now l know myself t.
have been in error and sipgl,
: course remains to me- The instan