The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-11-20
standing that night with Lady Estmere in

bring about my release | cared nothing
for Lady EStmere, and as for Sir Lau-
renee, | was quite content that he should
suspect his wife to be as free with her
kisses as many other grand ladies | had
known. He was proud man, and quite
deserved to get a fall. so l stayed still
as Gresham wished, till l began to grow
quite tired of standing. Then | felt a
tremble run through him, and his hands
held me tighter; and as be kissed me again
and again, l knew that his teeth were
grtting one against another. There was
some one outside the house; he could see,
but | could not.
Il tried to turn round. He whispered
hercely: If you turn your face to the win
dow | will strangle YOU He would have
done so, firmly believe.
'Presently he put his arm around my
waist, and, with my back still to the win
dow, guided me across the room, eXtin-
gushing the lamp as we reached it.
Go to your room, he said; go a once
Strip off those things, hide them away and
get into bed. You have been good girl;
keep the secret, and | will love you for
ever. | shall leave here tonight or to-
morrow. Join me in London at this ad-
dlcSS Us SooH as possible.
He gave me a paper and some money.
| went stealthily to my room and did as
he told me-
The next morning | found that he was
gone. Then | heard from one of the
grooms that Sir Laurence came back that
night about eleven o'clock, and put his
horse up at the stables, and | knew per
fectly well why Gresham had acted as he
did; why Sir Laurence and Lady Estmere
parted the next day. 1t was secret only
known to Gresham and myself.
Il need not say that Gresham treated
me like he treated every woman whose
love he won. In a few months he grew
tired of me, and would, if possible, have
thrown me aside as he had thrown others.
But he could not quite get rid of me, be-
cause | had the secret of how he had, for
revenge, parted Lady Estmere and her
husband. At any time, 10y going to Sir
Laurence, | could undo him, and, more
over, he knew if | spoke his life would
not be worth Il days purchase
Except for this hold upon him he
would have left me to starve; and if WAS
for the sake of being able to threaten him
that l kept his secret. | made him nav
me for keeping it. lie cursed me, but
gave mo money: not as much as | wanted.
but so long as | was young and kept NV
good looks, that did not matter much. 7
still get money from him when | am hard
pressed. No doubt, he will never cDtircl,-
refuse to supply me, and in writing this I
am but wasting my time. Still it is well
to be prepared for the worst"
well, what do you think of 2" asked
Lord Eothwell.
1T is true. every word Of It. The most
skeptical would be convinced.
Even my poor friend Laurence Won
think"
Please do not call that man your
friend before me. | condemn him; but
if he had taken the trouble |. n strannor
have, he might have spared his wife these
years Of pain. At any rate, my father
If he has any sense Of justice, will not OBJ
pose my marriage with Claudine any
longer"
Are you going to write to him."
"Ycs, ut once"
You had better wait, Philip. After all
nothing can be said to be settled until
Sir Laurence is convinced. Don't write !"
why notT'
He hesitated. Because for one thing
about these matters which have come TO
your knowledge until the principal parties
interested have settled what to do"
There was no appeal against this. 1t
was as much as saying it was a matter
Of honor. | promised to defer nv com
munication to my father.
a few days don't matter much TO n
young fellow like you,' he said, as wish
ed him good night.
As | neared the club l thought l would
look in and see if any letters were whiting
for me. Standing on the steps was Clcs-
ham. | was surprised &c see him. ms
thought he was certain, like the rest of
the world. to be out Of town. was close
TO him before | noticed him. He stretch
ed out his hand, and a look, believe. of
genuine pleasure crossed his face.
"Norris.' he said, Il thought | shouId
never see YOU again. l have incurred
high and low for You, and fancicd YOU
had bolted. Shake hands, my boy."
Then slowly and unmistakably put my
right hand behind my back. The farce
was over. My fingers should rot off be-
fore they claspcd thos" Of Richard Chas-
ham. He saw and understood the ac-
ton. y slight flush crossed his check.
You mean this:" he said.
Il mean it fully"
y on will give me your rcason?" he
said, in his clear, metallic voice. Fresh
from the perusal of chat confession Of
yillainy, | began to boil with Indignation,
although my manner, hope, was as calm
as his own. Why should | not give him
my reasons? Besides, l wished him to
know | had been playing part.
"tcrtlinly | will, Captain Chcsham."
said. You asked mo where l have been.
have been staying At Surbury."
He started; | saw IT,
'loU speak in riddles" 10 said.
Are YOU student of Shakspeare?" |
said scornfulIy. IF so, do YOU remcm-
her the plot of Much Ado About Moth
ing" If not, l will tell YOU in plain words
that your confederate, Mrs Merton. Mary
Williams, is dead; that her written confess
sion was placed in my hands to give to
Lord Kothwell. He is this moment read
ing it,"
His face, as ! saw it il the gaslicht,
grew very pale, his thin lips twitched CON
vulsivcly, he leaned heavily upon his
stick. For Il moment | stood on my
guard. The look in his eyes made me ap-
prehensivc of personal violence. He saw
what | suspected and laughed cruel
laugh.
NO. you fool. | shall not strike You
here. You would trample me under foot
You are a gentleman, suppose"
Il believe So"
Il go TO Monaco tomorrow. | will in
lu;re and fix the best spot-most likely
we must 20 i'll French territory. l will
write
He raised his hat and hobbed down the
steps. | went into the club with the
strange and novel feeling that | had per
haps only Il fortnight to live. Chesham's
vindictiyc eyes told me that he would do
all he could 10 cut short my career if ever
that promised meeting took place. Then
l went back To my rooms and wrote a long
letter to Claudine.
TO be continuedD
\ Prehistoric Jaw.
Parts of the skeleton of prehistoric
animal were found on the farm OF