Iuka reporter., 1890-11-20

PSouio, @iiu otHduSc iSIt leupcu luuu
their dark depths. while an unaccus-
toned futter possessed her bosom.
Upon the spur of the moment she called
! halt and hnstened to the child, who,
attracted by the rattle of silver chains
and the roll of the wheels, had turned
o look at the passing equipage.
Fascinated by the brilliant display,
little Stella trotted bravely out OF the
garden gate and paused upon tiptos
on the grassy bank, gazing up in won.
der at the beautiful face bent above
her
What a pretty little girl you are!"
said the enchantress, in swift, low
lone.
The child looked puzzled for an in.
slant; then replied in French:
"Je ne comprends pas, madame"
My lady Cora turned pallid to tho
very lips.
"You are Frenchl" she exclaimed, in
the same language. Where do you
some from?"
paris, madame" answered the
child.
What is your name?"
"Stella."
"Stella what?"
"Stella Leonard"
Leonard ?"
1t was her own name before her mar.
riage, and, as the guilty woman echoed
it, she sank back upon the cushions of
her carriage stupefed. Simultane-
ously veace within the house called
upon tho child to come, and in q
breathloss way she gave orders to the
coachman to drive on at full speed.
The unexpected interview with Lawye,
Edgar, which has been narrated in the
preceding chapter, for the time being
drove all thought of the mysterious
child from Cora Boyden's mind; but
when she was alone in the seclusion OF
Aer own chamber with her door securely
locked, the mask fell from her features,
and, thrusting the heavy masses ol
black hair from her pallid brow, she
cried:
"My God! what am to do? Thai
child is my own, child! But how came
she here, to haunt, balk and ruin me.
It is some fendish invention of my
enemies, but will circumvent them,
or die in the attempt"
She swept to the window, threw il
open, and looked out upon the peace.
tul evening with desperate, unseeine
syes.
"My days, even my hours, as heiress
of this place are numbered" she NUT
tered; II know it, feel it in every bone
The odds are against me, and my tivs
of action is almost up. Sooner or lates
they will discover the will which will
turn me out penniless upon the world
again. OF course, can return to the
old life, but I shudder to think of it
Having tasted of the life of a great
lady, mean to continue to enjoy it, O,
lose my soul. The time for action has
come; can delay no longer
with this half-crazed artist off mJ
hands, I am free to secure some alliance
with man OF wealth and standing,
which will settle my future for me,
whatever happens. If play my cardr
properly l can represent myself as tho
niece and heiress of the rich Orrir
Clifford. No one need know that am
the widow of man who committed
suicide in the Tombs to escape the
scaffold.
AS Miss Clifford can carry the day,
md nothing shall balk me, nothing can
Sslk me--but this unfortunate child.
And she shall notl I will remove her
kom my path, and do it myself Single
handed I have been an adventures all
ny life, and single-handed / will die
ictoriousl"
She had scarcely finished this des-
perato soliloquy, when rapping
sounded upon her chamber door. The
room was filled with dense shadow, and
The sound startled her.
Who's there?" she demanded, un-
'tesdily.
Martin, madam"
II was the voice of the {ootman.
We'll, what is it?" she asked, in .
irMer tone.
Dinner is served, and Mr.. Arnim is
Waiting"
In one brief instant she resolved upon
ler course of action.
"Tell Mr.. Arnim that / am unwell,
hat / have headache, and shall moi
70 at dinner. Later, if / feel better,
will see him. For the present / do
ot wish to be disturbed"
Allowing herself no time for further
she struck match and
ynited single candle upon the dress.
1g table, which but feebly illumined
he vastness of the luxurious apart.
lent. But it was light enough; the
'ork she had in hand could better be
one in darkness.
Selecting the plainest dress that hei
ardrobe contained, hat and thick
eil, she put them on, thus completely
'ncealing her identity. Then taking
ON drawer ball Of white cotton.
DOL, and from small chest small
hial Of coloslsss liquid. -shs unlocked