Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-12-11
THE
LITTLE WAIP.
A Story Of Absorbing interest,"
By BERNARD HEReERr.
CHAPTER xXIy.
REVENGE.

~ silent little group in the draw
ing-room overheard the daring words
Of the desperate woman, and exchanged
significant glances, though none OF
them seemed in the least moved, with
the exception of poor old Jean Leonard,
who, as that dreaded voice fell upon
his ear, covered away until the heavy
drapery of an embrasured window con-
cealed him from view.
simultaneously Cora Boyden swept
into the apartment, paused beneath
the glittering luster and haughtily con-
fronted her visitors.
She had lost her veil in her head
long fight, her heavy black hair had
broken from its confinings and hung in
rich masses about her shoulders, her
eyes were fathomless and tragic in their
defiant glare, while her fatally beauti-
ful face was the color of snowy parch-
ment.
She posed firmly, crossing her hands
before her with the air of person wh~
has concluded that, if she mast die, she
will die hard.
well" she said, ignoring the ladies
and addressing Mr.. Edgar, who had
risen as she entered, what apology
have you to offer for forcing your way
into my house when I had left orders
that no intruders should be admitted ?"
She delivered her demand in tone
Of indescribable authority, and in start
ling contrast was the quiet yet firm
reply of the lawyer
I'VE have no apology to Offer" he
said, since you no longer have any
claim to this place"
"Indeedl Will you be good enough
to explain your insolence?"
1T is not insolence, Mrs. Boyden,"
was the calm rejoinder; "but the truth.
Permit me to inform you that the will
of the late Mr. Orrin Clifford has been
discovered. 1t bequeaths every item
Of that gentleman's large property to
his only child, to his daughter, Grace"
Though her lips smiled scornfully,
the remaining vestige of color forsook
them, leaving them as pallid as her
countenance.
you certainly come bravely armed
to do violent battle against single,
friendless woman she sneered; "but
permit me to inform you in return,
that though alone and friendless, I
shall fight you to the DEATH"
upon what ground, if you please?"
Il shall contest the will, always pro-
viding it is not vile forgery, which I
strongly suspect"
"May I inquire what cause you have
to contest the will ~ inquired the law
yer; "you must be aware that your hus-
band, who was Mr.. Clifford's nephew,
and for that reason might have con
tested the will, is dead.'
Il am aware of that fact, but, if my
memory serves me, not many weeks ago
| informed you that l, too, am Cliff
ford! My name, before my marriage,
was Cora Clifford"
1t was a bold stroke, and one which.
had she been in cool reason and her
right mind, she would never have vent
ured to make. AS it was, the daring
falsehood was suddenly and summarily
refuted in most thrilling manner.
Scarcely had the words left her lips
when old Jean Leonard struggled to
his feet, and, clinging to the draperies
for support, he emerged into the pale
of the candle-light.
Cora, my daughter" he cried, in q
voice that rang out with unexpected
vlgor; "unsay those words Do not
blacken your immortal soul with iel
You are my child! You dare not DENY
your father!7
She recoiled before his apparition,
turning absolutely livid to the roots of
her hair.
"Who is this man?" she demanded.
of Mr.. Edgar. Zone Of
your infamous allies? If SO, all that L
'ay is, that your plot to ruin me is
,leverly planned, but it will not bear
he Light"
"The hght!" echoed the Frenchman
oh, Cora! Look at me! Do you not
go that"
"Silence!" she commanded, imperi-
nsly; II do not know you, and l
,mmand you to leave my housel I
i'll not have it made the scene of-of
-
The words expired on her lips. Old
IAN, maddened by her cruel treat
emit, had suddenly regained his pater-
! authority. Goaded almost to frenzy
! her cruel treatment, he advanced,
lied her roughly by the wrist, while
9, arrant coward that she was, COW
ed at his side, every trace of her
itch courage vanished, and leaving
it's place the grayness of abject terror.
Now, silence in your turn!" he com
.nded, sternly. Deny me, if you
II; it is matter of indifference TO
!, since / have done with you once
for all, shameless woman, graceless
lighter that you arei But one thing
shat answer me and answer me
ly-what have you done with my 1
.ndchild, my little Stella?"
n his anxiety be relaxed his hold