New-York tribune., 1896-11-22
which to sweep from his path an enemy -.
mr.

which to sweep from his path an enemy -.
menaced him.
Yet Laura should be saved!
Laura, whose gay chatter, in which c,om..
Rufskis name required so often, stabbed ~.
mothers resolve with a mighter dread thai
that Of her own danger
Was the chds heart awake? And for whom.
would 1t declare itself? Mother or lover?
Mrs Noel and her daughter spent the follow.
ing morning In shopping. Laura was rapturow.
over the choice Of her first ball Dress Yet shs
insisted upon having flowers (which she haS
promised Rufski to wear They lunched at a
voured with the reckless ardor of a sch6olgirI:s
hunger. Yet she forgot to finish a favorits
game pie while she descanted upon Rufski's
skill at shooting match she had seen in Scot.
land.
They returned to their hotel for "fve-o'clock
tea." and Rufski did not keep them waiting.
With a horror that made the crueest instant
of her ordeal, Mrs Noel behcld him lift Laura's
pretty hand to his lips with the long jeweleS
fingers she had seen press down satin pillow
upon
She could nd speak in answer to Rutskr.
graceful greeting. but she smiled.
1t Is mostly with smile that woman leads
her "forlorn hope" and the bravest cheer which
has led men to battle and whose echo rings
through history lacks something or the heroism
of such a smile.
The little group sat about the fire and drank
tea dairty Laura was gay. Rufski amusing
Mrs Noel rather silent
Just arrived as two Of them were from Scot
land, talk turned naturally to Scotch customs
Scotch characteristics. and. by subtle impulse
from Mrs Noel, to Scotch superstitions
Rufski and Laura each repeated legends AZ
whose terrors they scoffed lightly Mrs. Noel
grew serious
II have an unassailable objection to the credI.
bity of most ghost stories she said very
slowly
There was a curious thrill In her low voics
which brought Rufskis eyes to her face from
her daughters. but she was gazing at the fire.
hoIia thnf he m fha NJ
verse would permit the infracton of His laws for
the frivolous purpose Of useless terrorism that
seems their usual design she continued. But
one has come to my knowledge recently. whose
purpose Is worthy Of Gods mercy, and In whose
truth therefore believe"
Mother how solemn you are Laura cried
with laughing incredulity. You don't really be-
licye a ghost story?
"Assuredly. as / believe that all sin comes to
punishment"
Rufsti shrugged his shoulders slightly.
perhaps Madame will deign to convince Of his
mistake a student Of life, who has fancied that
he discerned sinners '1ourishng like the green
bay tree Of which the Bible tells us
''You shall hear this story, and think II will
| convince you"
Again Rufskis brilliant eyes sought hers and
| again hers avoided them.
| Mrs Noel was more literally endowed with
! eloquence than are other women OF her tempera-
ment in this uneloquent generation. But words
that burned into the memory OF her listeners
lcaped to her lips as she described the solitary
woman in the empty apartment, the far vision Of
secure repose which had so mysieriously ap-
| peared before her. and the creeping shadow Of
murder which destroyed it. Then. without ganc-
| ing at her silent auditors, she related that the
! names of the actors of this ghostly tragedy had
| become known TO it's beholder. and that cor
| roborating circumstance and motive were not
| lacking to link the phantom 10 reality and to
! establish its truth.
"A truth. the purpose Of whose awful revea-
ton will be accomplished" Mrs. Noel concluded
! In the level voice which had told the whole story.
lf.I tpdo
! stands its merciful warning Of danger to one be-
loved-a danger to avert which she is prepared to
| encounter the most public scandal OF the most
| subtle vengeance-unless her enemy disappears"
Through effort that taxed every force OF her
| being Mrs. Noel slowly lifted her gaze 10 Ruff
! skis face.
4 face from which the mask Of control and
civilization mad been swept away. and which
confronted her ghastly with supernatural hor.
ror devilish with the lust of hate. while In his
pale eyes stared that look whose recognition BAN
! ished from her soul any doubt which might per-
chance in future years have shaken her convic'
tion If his guilt. From that face. those eyes she
recoed with an involuntary homage Of the flesh
| to the present menace of Death.
With a cry Laura flung herself on her knees b.
tween her mother and Rufski. as though inter.
posing her own slight strength before that moth
er's half-comprehended danger.
Rufski sank back in his chair. hiding his facs
with his hands
There was silence
Silence during which Mrs. Noel. feeling the
clasp cf her child's arms. thanked God. What.
ever the outcome of this moments suspers.
Laura was saved. Laura's heart had spoken
and it's first utterance had been for her.
Pardon. Madame" Rufski murmured al last
pantngy "A thousand pardons for the scene
| make. Your horrible story has overstraned
nerves sorely shattered by much sufferng"-hb
| voice broke down.
He rose unsteadiy to his feet His face was
white and quivering. but his eyes had recovered
their discretion and confessed only the weakness
his words had defined.
Will Madame fOrbear judgment on the abseG~
whom her eloIuence has driven TO flight
An instant Mrs Noel hesitated. An instant, In
which her courage touched its highest reach and
faltered Her child was safe. Let him go. then,
with his past. OF which she had such strange
knowledge. to his future. which she power.
less 10 limit control
Concerning the absent Monsieur. am dumb
so long as his absence endures."
He bowed profoundly. walked swiftly toward
the door. turned there. bowed again. and was
gone
Mother" Laura cried. cngng close. Don't
/ tell me what YOU meant. or why he went away!
| I him look At you as if Darling mother.
| something terrible has come near us but il has
passed. Promise that we shall never speak OF
| again ELLEN MACkCB y.