Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-05-13

Lady Eveshain, what you tell ms
shocks me terriblyl Are you sure
Am sure? am dogged at ever,
hour of tho day. am questioned aboul
my movements. then doubted TO my
face. 1t is most shamefulr'
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 "a
him that his breath famed her hot
cheeks.
Lady Evesham, l have an idea.
What if your husband is carrying on an
intrigue with woman? What if he
fears discovery and subsequent proceed
ings and is even now making every ef-
fort to trump up counter charge
against you?"
"Ahl Mr.. Leighton, how horrible,
how cruel to ruin one 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 Beatrix-let me con.
vince you-let me find proof that what
I say is true"
'Mr. Leighton, cannot, dare not,
ask you to interfere in this most terrible
difficulty. You've been my friend, and l
believe you have my happiness and well
fare at heart, butt
"BeatrixW he murmured hoarsely,
II have no friendship for You. Love
and admiration ill me. If / can con-
vince you of the truth Of my suspicious,
give mo 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. "The horses havo been waiting
for half an hour
IT am ready to go, !" said Lady Eve
sham, and looking neither to the right
nor to the left she swept before him to
her carriage.
Lady Evesham slept littlo that night.
Her shattered faith in her husband S
loyalty and trust, Leighton's love, her
own unhappiness. 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 dozen letters.
Suddenly the blood rushed to her pale
face. A common envelope, bearing
typewritten address. quivered in one
hand; slip of paper was in the other.
"If You would have proof, be in
room at the Imperial cafe today at
o'clock"
mo signature, no address," cried
Beatrix Evesham. "But the envelope is
enough. The Els are broken like those
ON that other letter which came five
weeks ago. ALL who can be SO base, SO
as to wish to wantonly destroy
the happiness of two lives?''
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-
in a voice he knew too well.
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.. Leightonp'
1t was the voice of Lady Evesham,
md before her question could be an
'wered she displayed her surprise and
iisfavor in bitter tones. She continued:
Il understand all now. A light breaks
n upon me. 1t is you--you--a gentle
nan, friend, who sent the letter to
ny husband which has nearly broken
ais heart and wrecked my life-you
who have woven a tissue of lies about
ne and have spread net for me today
INTO which my feet have almost strnyod.
The reason ! came here 41enu, whom
Discover tS~to be foe" She flung out
!. hands sAh, that were man 10
,nish you as you deserved
Her prayer for a righteous revenge
,as answered. The door opened little
oace. and the tall, spare form OF Loro
,vesham slipped into the room.
"Johni You here7" cried Lady Eve
ham. laying her fingers across her mouth
= stifle the little scream of JOY that rose
n her throat.
"Stand asidel' said his lordshlp.
Then, with appraised arm, he advanced
IN the culprit.
Twice the writhing victim cried for
mercy. and twice Lord Evesham NUT
tered, Coward
when at last the heavy walking SUCK
in two, Lord Evesham, with
ont casting one look at what lay at ms
feet. turned to his wife and led her
from the room.
Once outside in the dim silence CT the
corridor Lady Evesham raised her nus
hands hands to her lips and kissed them;
ssThank you--thank you a Thousand
timesl But. oh, my dear, why did you
not trust mef'