The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-02-22
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49, a~% >.s
CRAPTDn .X(CeatinusA)
And % he had arrived at the con-
ousion that prudence required that, In
appearance at all events, he should
yield to Eugenia's demands.
He would adjourn the union of The
odore and Lord Ashdown's daughter.
Euxenia's most determined will he
could oppose only with delay-to gain
t1me was all that he could dare to
attempt.
Chance would perhaps, he thought,
!urnish him with means to wrest from
his enemy that fatal correspondence
In which consisted all her strength.
And he cared not what might be the
mems which should offer, for at moth
ING would he hesitate again to hold
those letters within his hands.
And then he smiled bitterly; for he
mad been madly infatuated with that
woman.
A confidential agent, employed by
the viscount, had been instructed to
watch the steps Of Emmeline Lindsay
ana Noel Darlington, and to discover
the formers residence.
And that man had not yet succeeded
In tracing Emmeline to her home.
But he had reported to his employer
that he had seen Darlington in, SEEM
tnEly. very earnest conversation with
fellow called Nicksey, and who was
Q VIGOROUSLY bad character.
The viscount's agent had thought
that as that man appeared to be on
such intimate terms with Darlington,
his employer might perhaps visit to
know something more of him, and 20,
with some trouble, discovered the
house In which Nicksey had taken up
his quarters.
The man was doubtless some one
whom harrington had employed to u.s.
sist him in his pursuit. was Visc0unt
Dareleigh's thought, was not prison
about whom the viscount needed for O
moment to trouble himself.
But, at any rate. there could be no
harm In having the rascal's address.
And so. he had written Nicksey's
name and residence on his tablets, be-
meath those Of Darlington.
1.-THE hour which l had named to
you, viscount, is long past; and had
grown weary Of expecting you" said
Mrs. Chestcrton. throwing back the
veil which had concealed her face
from the viscount's d0mestics.
And she had not needed to send In
her name; for when 1t had been an
nounced to her former lover that q
lady in sombre dress and deeply yelled
had desired that she might instantly
speak with him. the viscount knew
that 1t could be only Eugenia.
Presenting q chair to her, Viscount
Dareleigh entreated that Mrs. Chester
ton would pardon a delay which had
been altogether involuntary.
And he bowed, and was most Law
tshly polite.
Mrs. Chesterton thrust aside the Of
Tered chair; saying, angrily, that so
many words, such overwhelming po-
likeness were unnecessary between
them.
A brief silence ensued, which Mrs.
Chesterton was the first to break by
saying. In deep and suppressed tones:
"Tell me, Norton, have you decided?"
"Yes."
"And on what have you decided"
ITO break off the project of ALL
ance with Lord Ashdown's family
only I must ask Of you to prolong the
delay at first fixed by you, and which
would be insufficient to prepare The
odore. whose consent to this new
union 1t will be necessary to obtain"
$50 then you do not intend to offer
any resistance?"
And with great bitterness was that
said by Mrs. Chesterton.
And the viscount said, resignedly:
ssVTn,,1d mot n mo fo In vyo1N
You now bring to me, l suppose, one
Of the pieces Of that correspondence
for which you are making me pay 80
dearly-you are come to prove to me
that I was not Nst night terrified
without good cause-in a word. you
do not intend to leave me In any doubt
concerning those terrible weapons
which you are holding suspended above
my head"
Mrs. Chestcrton with difficulty now
contained herself; and brokenly and
jerkingly from between her set teeth
came:
ayes, exactly-we have changed char
you banter"
The viscount fixed on her an inquir-
Ing and wondering look; and then the
rage which until now she had sub.
dued burst forth, and she cried, loudly:
"Norton Sowerby, you are now, as
ever, an infamous wretch-and I was
mad; should have known that. hay
ing done q murder, you would not
pause before simple robbery"
What could she mean? the viscount
asked himself.
While Mrs. Chesterton proceeded:
"Whcn you last night quilted me.
you had already conceived the Internal
purpose which so well and promptly
you have executed"
The viscount entreated that she
would more clearly explain herself.
"Explain myself" she cried. with
look Of whitening scorn. "Those pa
pers which laid you at my mercy
those papers which was about to
place where they would have been well
sheltered from your attempts"
She paused; the overpowering rage
at thought that she had been 70 baf-
fed. 80 conquered, had for a moment
deprived her of the power to articulatc
q word.
And dumb. too. was the viscount,
but with amazement.
At length Mrs. Chestcrton was able
uOuISclv w upVAdiu AAGA AVi ihCI AVVSh
that he had stolen those letters.
The viscount was more than ever
amazed; and Of course protested his
Innocence, Indignantly denying the &C.
cusati0n.
II say not that with your own hands
you have stolen those letters" ex-'
claimed Eugenia. mo; you have en-
ployed for that task the vile mer-
cenary who had already SO well served
you, and whom you have spared, no
doubt, only to make Of him your In
strument in the preparation Of fresh
crimes"
"Nicholar shearmanw. exclaimed the
viscount.
Eyes. Nicholas shearmanw
"That man is living?"
And then, her lip curling with con-
tempt, Mrs. Chesterton told the Wis.,
n