The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-25

A strange smile also flickered across
Mrs Armour's face as she said, IF an
enemy Of my husband called and was
penitent, l should--offer her tea, no
doubt.
THAT is, in this country, but in your
own country, which, believe, is differ
ent what would you do?"
Mrs, Armour looked steadily and
coldly into her visitors eyes. ''In my
country enemies do not compel us to be
polite, .
"By calling on you?" Lady Haldwell
was growing little reckless. "But
then that is savage country. We are
different here. Isuppose, however, your
husband told You of these things, SO
that you were not surprised. And when
does he come? His stay is protracted.
Let me see, how long is it? All. yes,
near four years. Here she became alto
gether reckless, which she regretted
afterward, for she knew after all what
was due herself. He will come back,
suppose
Lady Haldwell was no coward, else
she had hesitated before speaking in
that way before this woman, in whose
blood was the wildness of the heroical
north. Perhaps she guessed the passion
in Lali's breast, perhaps not. In any
case she would have said what she list
ed at the moment.
Wild as were the passions in Lali's
breast, she thought ON the instant Of
her child, Of what Richard Armour
would say, for he had often talked to
her about not showing her emotions and
! passions, had told her that violence Of
all kinds was not wise or proper. Her
fingers ached to grasp this beautiful,
exasperating woman by the throat. But
after an effort at calmness she remained
still and silent, looking at her visitor
with a scornful dignity. Lady Haldwell
presently rose. She could not endure
the furnace of that look, and said good
by. She turned toward the door. Mrs.
Armour remained immovable. At that
instant, however, some one stepped from
behind large screen just inside the
door. It was Richard Armour. He was
pale, and on his face was a sternness the
like of which this and perhaps only one
| other woman had ever seen on him. He
interrupted her.
Lady Haldwell has fine talent for
irony" he said, 'but she does not al
ways use it wisely. In man it would
bear another name, and from a man it
would be differently received" He
came close to her "You are brave
woman" he said, "or you would have
been more careful. Of course you knew
that my mother and sister were not at
home"
She smiled languidly. "And why of
course?' "
II do not know that Only 1 know
that l think so, and l also think that
my brother Franks worst misfortune
did not occur when Miss Julia Sher-
wood trafficked without compunction in
his happiness.
Don't be oracular, my dear Richard
Armour" she said. "You are trying
really. This seems almost melodramat-
! ic, and melodrama is bad enough in
Drury lane. "
"You are not good friend even to
yourself" he answered.
"What a discoverer you arel And
how much in earnestl Do come back to
the world, Mr.. Armour. You would be
a relief, new sensation.
81 fancy l shall come back if only to
see the engineer hoist with his own
torpedo"
He paused before the last word to
give it point, for her husbands father
had made his money out Of torpedoes
She felt the sting in spite of her, and
she saw the point. "And then we will
talk it over at the end Of the season."
he added, "and compare notes. Good
afternoon"
"You stake much on your hazards, "
she said, glancing back at Lali, who
still stood immovable "Au revoirp'
She left the room. Richard heard the
door close after her and the servant re-
tire. Then he turned to Lali.
As he did So she ran forward to him,
with cry. "Oh, Richard, Richardp
she said, with sob, threw her arms
over his shoulder and let her forehead
drop on his breast. Then came sudden
impulse in his blood. Long after he
shuddered when he remembered what
he thought at that instant; what he
wished to do; what rich madness pos
sessed him. He knew now why he had
come to town. He also knew why he
must not stay, or, If staying, what must
be his course.
He took her gently by the arm and
led her to chair, speaking cheerily to
her. Then he sat down beside her, and
all at once again, her face wet and
burning, she flung herself forward on
her knees beside him and clung to him.
"0h, Richard, / am glad you have
come, " she said. | would have killed
her If had not thought of you. want
you to stay. am always better when
you are with me- / have missed you,
and know that baby misses you too. !"
He had his cue. He rose, trembling a
little. "Come, come" (" he said heartily,
"it's all right, it'sall right--my sister.
Let us 60 and see the youngster. There,
dry your eyes and forget all about that
woman. She is only envious Of you.
Come, for his imperial highness.
She was in tumult of feeling. 1t
was seldom that she had shown emotion
in the past two years, and it was the
more ample when it did break forth.
But she dried her eyes, and together
they went to the nursery. She dismissed
the nurse, and they were left alone by
the sleeping child. She knelt at the
head Of the little cot and touched the
child's forehead with her lips, he