The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1896-02-01

n
In No. % the shut
tiers of the dining
room windows were not yet fastened
but the blinds had been already drawn
down.
The bright lights inside threw upon
one of them the shadow of man VINO
was evidently sitting at the near end OF
the room; his left arm was thrown over
the back Of his chair, and its image was
partly merged in the darkness which
represented the latter; his head was In
full profile. and bent downward in an
attitude of deep thought. He was prob
ably at some little distance from the
table. upon which the lights behind him
were placed. for the shadow thrown up
on the blind was sharp in outline and
scarcely more than life-size. The fig
ure was in fact recognizable beyond
doubt as that of Colonel de Montaut
himself, and Dick, as he stood upon the
doorstep, was almost startled at seeing
him apparently so close. AT the same
time he saw that he had here a good
chance Of ascertaining at once that his
letter was safely delivered. He dropped
1t into the box and rang the bell, in
tending to retreat a few steps across
self while still keeping the window in
view. A sudden movement Of the sha-
dow stopped him. The colonel had
caught the sound of the bell and had
disappeared from the room with as
tonishing rapidity; one might almost
have thought he had been waiting for
the signal. Dick heard a quick, stealthy
tread approach the door on the inside
-. ha hoy
in an instant. and when he looked at
the window again there was the shadow
once more in it's former position, but
with both hands raised, as if in the act
of holding up a paper 10 read. And
now another step was heard coming to-
ward the door; it was, no doubt. that
of a servant answering the bell The
shadow figure hastily lowered its hands
and the letter disappeared. The serv-
ant at the same moment stopped sud-
denly and went into the dining room; 10
which. no doubt. his masters voice had
summoned him. The conversation
which followed was inaudlble to Dick.
Had 1t been otherwise. the colonel's la
Dor would have been worse than lost.
and Of this story there might have been
little or nothing to tell. Between I'M
tween the light within and the darkness
without, there was but pane of glass;
but 1t was enough, and Dick remained
in the outer darkness. He was, for the
present satisfied. The colonel had read
his note, and tomorrow would set all
to rights. Alas for Dick! this hope was
but a shadow too. The truth, which in
this deceptive light cast so false an
~ ha
what was actually passing inside the
house as he turned away to go home.
at was who rang" the colonel was
saying TO his servant.
The man apologized for installing be-
tween the two bells.
GO up TO Madame de Montaut," con-
tinued his master, "and tell her that
Captain Estcourt is coming here in
about half an hour. Ask whether she
wishes TO come TO the drawing room,
or would rather not be disturbed"
The man took the message at once.
When she heard it, Camilla's heart
hardened. She was angered at the idea
of Dicks callousness in coming so soon
10 discuss the details of his treason. and
what she had said 10 her brother-in-law
she still meant very decidedly She
would not work in league with trait
or such as she supposed Estcourt 10 be
Tell NJ. de Montaut," she replied Ia
the servant. in her iciest tones, that ]
prefer TO be alone this evening And
remember yourself that from this mo-
ment until we leave London l am not
at home to any one"
Every well madame" said the man
And added. hesltatingly, But II Cap
tain Estcourt should ask for Ma
DAME"
Il am not at home TO any one" she
repeated, with deliberate emphasis
"And particularly not to Captain Est
court"
He bowed, and returned to report "a
the colonel, who seemed neither sur.
prised nor dissa tisfied at hearing what
Camillas answer had been.
VERY WELL" he said; then I too am
not at home TO Captain Estcourt."
Dick. in the meantime, was on his
homeward way. The farther he went
the more impatient he became for the
night 10 be over and the present un.
comfortable state of things ended. HC
went over this ground again and again
and longed for the explanation to b,
done with. that he might be free TO for
get himself once more in the enjoy
ment OF her society. How long Il
seemed since they parted! What al
age since their delightful meeting this
morning! That abstrd but annoying
interview with old Wicterby had come
between, and all this worry about the
coioners preposterous inn tatlon. How
ever, by this time the coToNel, at any
rate. was undeceived. Probably he hat
accepted the rejection Of his Nposah
IN good part. and in spite of an oulc
welcome Dick again as frierB to-
morrow morning. Tomorrow. Why
not tonight? II was now somej time
some considerable time. since he had
received and read the letter. /Surely
by this be had got over his dishppoint
ment, IL he had really had any such
feeling Now was the opottune mo-
msnt for visit In the morning there
wc-.,o be the chance OF going too early
to see Camilla, or too late 10 find hei
in. Tonight she was certain 60 10
at home. This last rele elton decided
Dick Re left his rooms again. anc
walked quickly 20 Bedford Square. III
reached the doorstep flushed and
breathlcss. and rang the pell 1t was
exactly half an hour, 10 the minute
since he had turned away to go homo
after seeing the shadov on the blind.
The servant appeared.
rs Mademe de 1rataut at homer