The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-03-16

vainIy beating against the constra...
of this hateful necessity, like bird blIs
feting itself to death against the bona
of a trap.
She was reused by the cracklino, -
paper beneath her hand, and 1ooI5iu
down found that she had been cjannb
ing a letter in her unconscious fras,
A start of surprise followed as sba roa
ognized the appearance of the Danon
It was Dicks application to tba "a
miralty. The official to whom the col
onel had presented it had glanced =.
it's contents and handed it back with om
off hand statement that it was too late
another man having been already an
pointed to the Favorite. The colonial
had accordingly brought it back 70
Dick, and in the confusion which fo,
lowed the latter's sudden attack of III.
ness it had fallen unperceived behind
a cushion of the sofa upon which Ca.
milla was now sitting.
Anxious to free herself from the tolls
Without a moments delay, sheerose and
went down to look for her brother-in-
law.
She found him in the study, busv
among his papers; he looked up to greer
her with an indulgent smile, as if to
assure her that he felt for her past
struggle and was ready to receive her
submission graciously.
She saw it, and anger choked the
words in her throat.
"Well,'' he asked, land upon whom
has your choice fallen?"
There is no CHOICE she answered.
II have no friend capable of an act of
treason
He saw that he had been over-confi-
dent, and was ready on the instant to
meet her with fresh patience.
Treason" he said, quietly; ut is M
| treason to undo the work of treachery."
What do you mean?"
/ 'The English nation, or rather their
government, betrayed the emperor's
voluntary trust in them, and, as I have
heard you maintain with truth hun
| dred times, faithlessly made prisoner
of him after he had accepted their pro-
lection as a guest"
She laughed scornfully to see him
using still the methods of an hour ago.
He little suspected how trenchant
weapon chance had put into her hand
since then.
"It is true" she cried, "and their
treachery must be undone; but it can
not be by Capt. Estcourt's hand"
He raised his eyebrows. 81 did not
mention Capt. Estcourt."
mo, but you thought of him, and Of
him only. It is a proof of how little
you know or understand his character"
He saw the change of her position,
and was yet once more ready for her
upon her own ground.
"Oh, as for that" he said "men are
all alike in one respect. When they are
! in love they are deaf to every other
call; woman may lead them where she
will"
mot friends like mine," she an
swered proudly; mot man like this"
%"Capt. Estcourt is as honorable man
as most" he replied, "but I undertake
to say that his devotion to you, coupled
with clear explanation of the case
| from me, would ensure his adherence to
our cause
'Never!'' she cried. ''Your cunning
fallacies may blind weak women, Or
men whose intellect is keener than their
sense of honor, but you could not even
| tempt him for momentr
''Will you wager on it," asked the
| colonel with a hooking smile of
| security.
my life is not my own she cried,
''but I would stake my fortune on his
answer
Done" said the colonel; 81 accept"
She saw the trap now, but scorned re-
treat.
TRY it," she cried, with passionate
defiance in her voice. TRY it, and learn
with shame what duty means to
strong hearth