The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-05-10


'he authorities to compel me to do so"
Lionel raised his hand with a, threat
enlng gesture. Tonight" he NUT
tered; tonight, so soon as that?"
Yes, tonight" answered Dolores.
our brief dreams of happiness are
over, ana have come here to tell you
tne truth and bid you farewell"
NOT So" said Lionel, passionately,
You shall never return to that brute
VINO mas made your life a scene Of
misery. Dolores, love you, but 1 also
respect you. can show you the means
Oh escape. 1 will swear never to in.
trude upon you until you are free. and
phat," he added. to himself, will be
soon. A pretext for a quarrel is easily
found at the gaming table, and both
my hand and eye are tolerably sure.
Listen, Dolores" he cried, aloud, you
know my friend, Philip Bedford. and
that he fs man to be trusted?"
nave every respect for Don Philip. "
answered SHE, but what do you mean
by that question:"
crimson blush suffused Lionel's
race Il was not" said he. "without
hopes that you would fly with me TO-
night, and>Philip promised to give us
passage, the tide runs at ono in the
morning. 1t is now only nine. You
nave ample time to make your prepar-
atiohs' and you have only to hand a few
hhes' from me to Philip to ensure your
saIety' Dolores, do You not trust me? I
VIII remain here, no stain can rest on
your name, and something tells me Won
will soon be free"
dolores hesitated, the idea of RETURN
ing to the estate, where Buloski reigned
IKE little king, was very terrible to
her, and here was a safe and secure
ohance of escape offered to her.
Quick" urged Lionel. "there IL no
time to hesitate; will you not accept
my offer?"
YES" answered she. st do so. and
pray Heaven that I may some dav
have the chance of reauiting Won for
your kindness"
Lionel drew card from his rocket
book, and hastily wrote a few lines
upon IT, Here is your ticket" said
me- forcing a smile, land now, you will
not send me away at once, but permit
me to see you home and assist you In
your preparations"
Dolores could not resist his solioita-
ton. and, avoiding the throng as much
as possible, they gained the villa,
which the actress had taken for the
season.
DO not let the servants see me enter
with you,' said Lionel. "See, we can
get in this way" and drawing white
handled clasp knife from his pocket he
forced back the catch of one of the
windows of the drawing room and as
sisted his companion to enter.
You need not have been so careful"
remarked Dolores, as he placed a chair
for her. There Is no one in the
house."
mo one In the housew echoed Lionel.
II thought the place seemed strange
and STILL"
When I received that terrible let
ter" said the actress, II at once packed
up and discharged all the servants.
even dsmissing my maid"
But that left you exposed to your
husbands brutality" exclaimed Lionel.
You do not understand me-" whis-
pered Dolores, softly. II wished to be
alone"
Alone" repeated the young man. IT
fall to comprehend you"
II have told you that I love you,
Lionel" continued she in the same low
accents, land, with that feeling in my
heart, I could never have belonged to
another Casimir Buloski would have
found no one to greet him but a dead
woman"
Lionel cast a glance of admiration
upon her, then fiinging all restraint to
the winds, he caught Dolores in his
arms and their lips met in one passion
ate kiss of love. In the midst of this
fervid embrace, the sound of wheels
was heard upon the gravel outside,
and then came loud and continuous
knocking at the front door.
Heavens" cried the countess, at
is Buloski, the traitor must have pur-
posely deceived me as to the time Of
his arrival"
He shall find you have some one here
to protect you," returned Lionel, laying
the knife he still held upon the table,
and advancing to the door with a dark
cloud upon his brow.
For PHYS sake do not let him see
you," pleaded she. go in there, II Is
the passage that leads to the garden,
the other door is locked, but you will
be near me. / will find a pretext and
will rejoin you, then you shall take me
to your friends yacht, do not hesitate,
IL you love mo-" She pushed him into
the dark passage, and before he was
aware of it, turned the key in the lock.
Hardly daring to breathe, Lionel
waited patiently. He could hear the
smothered sound of conversation for
brief space, but the door was thick
and the voices came to Him very faint
ly Then all was still.
"Shs vial come to me 40 she prom
ised," thought ne. II have every faith
In her word, for has she not said thaf
she loves msr He CROPPED his way
cautiously towards q bench. which ne
had seen when the door was opened,
and seating himself upon II, patiently