The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-05-03
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"Am I sure? I am logged at every
hour of the day. I am questioned about
my movements, then doubted to my
face. It is most Shameful
1T is most cruel" said Leighton
slowly. Pardon the question, but have
you given him any cause
"Mr. Leighton, how dare your
flashed from her through the cobal,
summer night.
He bowed humbly before he spoke
again.
'"Then to what do you attribute this
change? Has any other woman
She shook her head.
Suddenly through the shadows Rupert
Leighton's hand stole to Beatrix Eve
sham's arm,> and he drew her so close to
him that his breath famed her hot
cheeks.
Lady Evesham, I have an idea.
What if your husband is carrying Oh an
intrigue with q woman? What if he
fears discovery and subsequent proceed
ings M is even now making every eff
fort to trump up a counter charge
against your"
"Ahi Mr.. Leighton, how horrible,
how cruel to ruin woman, and that
his wife, at the expense Of another
Whom he loves" whispered Leigh
ton. do you not see, can you not be-
lieve that this is the truth-that he is
tired OF you; that your youth and inno-
cence and beauty are not for him? All!
Lady Evesham-Beatrix-let me con-
vince you-let me find proof that what
I say is true"
MIR. Leighton, I cannot, dare not,
ask you to interfere in this most terrible
difficulty. You've been my friend, and I
believe You have my happiness and well
fare at heart, butt
"Beatrix!' he murmured hoarsely.
Il have no friendship for you. Love
and admiration fill me. If l can con-
vince You of the truth Of my suspicious,
give me yourself"
She slipped from his grasp and fed
down the dim pathway.
"Where have you been all this timer"
said her husbands voice through the
dusk. 1.-THE horses have been waiting
for half al hour"
Il am ready to CO." said Lady Eves
sham, and looking neither to the right
nor t2 the left she swept before him to
her carriage.
Lady Evesham slept little that night.
Her shattered faith in her husbands
loyalty and trust, Leighton's love, her
Owl u~nhappiness, jostled in her brain
the weary hours through, and it was a |
very ghost of Lady Evesham who slipped.
her chocolate next morning and broke
the seals of half a dozen letters.
Suddenly the blood rushed to her pale
face. A common envelope, bearing q
typewriter address, quivered In one
hand; a slip Of paper was in the other. ,
"If you would have a proof, be in
room 8 at the Imperial cafe today at 4
o%'glg9k,.% II
mo signature, no address," cried
Beatrix Evesham. "But the envelope is
enough. The Els are broken like those
OH that other letter which came five
weeks ago. All! who can be SO base, SO
wicked, as to wish to wantonly destroy
the happiness of two liyes?"
The big clock over the Imperial cafe
had barely struck four when a woman,
whose perfect toilet was marred by the
singular thickness Of her veil, glided
into the doorway, and scarcely had the
lady disappeared when Lord Evesham
passed into the building and followed
in the fair ones footsteps.
His lordship moved quickly, but in
spite Of his efforts only arrived in the
corridor in time to hear the sharp click
of a closing door, followed by an ex-
clamation in q voice he knew too we'll.
The sound came from room No. 8.
Lord Evesham looked around. Lunch
cons were over, dinner not yet begun.
He was alone, and in another second
was pressing his eye to the keyhole.
"You here, Mr.. Leightonl"
1t was the voice of Lady Evesham,
and before her question could be an
swered she displayed her surprise and
dlsfavor in bitter tones. She continues:
Il understand all now A light breaks
in upon me. 1t is you-you-a gentle.
man, a friend, who sent the letter to
my husband which has nearly broken
his heart and wrecked my life-you
who have woven a tissue Of lies about
me and have spread a net for me today
into which my feet have almost strayed.
The reason I came here today was to
discover the identity Of the person, man
or woman, who sent those two letters
to my husbands house. I find you,
whom I believed to be q friend, whom
I now know to be a foe." She flung out
her hands. "Ah, that I were q man to
punish You as you deserved
Her prayer for a righteous revenge
was answered. The door opened a little
space, and the tall, spare form Of Lord
Evesham slipped into the room.
John! You here?'' cried Lady Eve.
sham, laying her fingers across her mouth
to stifle the little scream of Joy that rose
in her throat.
Stand asidev' said his lordship.
Then, with appraised arm, he advanced
ON the culprit.
Twice the writhing victim cried for
mercy, and twice Lord Evesham NUT