Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1895-12-14

of one of these melancholy periods and
proposed again. II was for the last
time. The result was quite the usual
one, but more decisive. She said: u
think YOU might spare me repetition
of this" and left the room. And then
Thornton, in his turn, gave pail hope.
After that Miss Wittemore seemed to
interest herself in but one being-her
niece, Maud.
1t was the night of the garden party.
The gathering was interested In the lit
tie romance that wns eliminating that
evening, mainly because rumors of a
somewhat disagrcenble nature had pre-
coded the arrival of the count. But
every visiting foreigner, in these FIN de
steele days, is regarded in America
with more or less suspicious; and, by
virtue of that fact, he had found. from
pure sympathy, many admirers and
supporters. During his stay in New
York, before his trip to the country for
this garden party, he had made no bet
ter friend than Charley Thornton. The
fact that he was engaged TO the niece
of Laura Wittemore may have nc
counted for this. Or Thornton may
have been careless and unsophisticated
MS usual. At any rate they were every
where ogether-which initiated very
much in favor of the count. Still re-
taining some Of the rights of friend
of the family" even though he had
abandoned all pretensions to the hand
OF the hostess. Thornton was ut the
counts side when he was presented TO
Miss Wittemore. lie saw the varying
expression of surprise, terror and dc-
termination in her face. He, perhaps
he alone, heard her gasp almost mar
ticulatcly: "Raoul." For the first
time in his life he was brilliant enough
TO divine the truth, and by cleverly
overtuining table loaded with flowers
he turned silence into confusion. sus-
pense into laughter and climax into
pnti-climax. Miss Wittemorc, leaning
upon the arm of the imperturbable
Count Kanolky, was enabled to escape
from the laughing throng. while Maud
buchanan helped the supposedly I'M
fortunate Thornton to rescue the
flowers.
Miss Wittcmore and the count strolled
away TO remote corner OF the lawn.
They had the appearance of being old
friends--or old enemies.
49," she said, opening the conversa-
tion when they had reached seat UNI
der an old shade tree, $50 you have
dared, Raoul, to come even to my house
and under an assumed name, rs the
fiance of my niece?"
"Yes," he laughed, with shrug Of his
little, half-stooping shoulders, Il have
dared. 1t is but little trick in the
game. 1t is nothing. You see it was
very convenient to leave France just
when did. needed money and thought
1t would he as well to take il from Amer
leans, MS from others. And could not
ask better opportunity than being in
troduccd rs the fiance of your niece"
"You do not mean" gasped Miss Witte-
more. anxiously, ito marry Maud"
"Well, not now" he answered. II
did intend to, until ] discovered that
you were feature in the game. Then
it became too complicated a matter to
bother with. All l want, you under
stand, is money"
"You have sunk so low as that?'
"Oh," he replied, with disagreeable
laugh, II have sunk much lower'than
that. In fact, am improving my situa-
ton daily. As you see, am the fiance
of o beautiful and rich young girl. l
will release her. But you must help me
in return. want money. j have OBJ
tanned notes from one of your set. You
understand? ] must not be interfered
with, or everything shall be known"
"You dare to threaten me, then. with
the exposure of your own infamy"
Certainly. That is card that never
tails to win with women. Not knowing
that you were the Miss Wittemore Ct
whom Maud spoke 80 often, ! did not
suppose II would be necessary to use IL.
But 1t is card carry always, where /
laugh-up my sleeve. And 1t will serve
NY purpose now very well. You would
not care to have another chapter added
to your story. would you? And you
certainly would not care to send your
niece through the world covered with
the same mantle that has been such n
modification to yourself?"
Miss Wittemore was silent q moment
and looked YEARLY ut the grass ut her
feet, as q blush of shame and disgust
spread over her face. Such was the
man. then, to whom she had been true
all these years!
Money" she said, finally, money,
then, is your only object?"
1.-THE only object have in the world"
he answered.
"And from whom do you expect to get
the money"
From one of your smart Americans,
one of your friends. In fact, Mr.. Thorn
ton. / understand thnt he loves you,
oh, what fool he Is! Why, he did
everything suggested. Twas engaged
to your niece. That WINS all that was
necessary for him to know. l unfolded
my scheme. / talked mines in Brazil
wanted n partner. He was only toe
glad 10 be of service to me. Ha! hal"
'How much" she asked, anxiously,
''do you expect to get from Mr.. Thorn
toni"
'I have his notes." he answered.
coolly, "for $4,000"
sWill YOU let me have those notes II
give you their full value?"
TOO late. They are being negotiated,
oh, 1 have to be quick. Tomorrow
realize on them and tomorrow / sail for
Brazil"
ado you know that such a sum will
probably ruin him?"