Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-09

sacred presence of his lady love, but the
bitterness must have vent. and it fell on
Lamonts broad shoulders.
Sick at heart and furious with himself,
Charlie went straight from his club to his
rooms. He felt as though all the world.
which only the other day had seemed too
desirable and sweet. were out of joint.
Nothing but Oreacia and music-he was
to take her to the opera that night-would
soothe his ruffled feelings.
As he stepped. dressed for the evening,
into her brougham, an urchin tossed a
twisted scrap Of paper INTO the carriage.
Private room. No. 3, Cafe Royal to-
night. 1850
The words were in penciled capitals and
he scarcely glanced at them before tear
ing the slip across and tossing it from
the window.
cafe Royal, Rubbish" he muttered.
"Why. I'm going to take Oreacia to Lady
Bedale's ball after the opera
But in that plan he was disappointed.
Orecia Dulvert0n had never looked so
lovely Every ripple of her sun-kissed
hair. every fold of lace about her bosom
enhanced her beauty, and her glorious
eyes outshone the big diamonds in her
ears. Yet she vowed she had a shocking
headache. that could brook neither late
hours nor noise. Indeed. so i'll was she
that even as the intermezzo in the Cav
alleria Rusticara" sobbed through the
opera house she slipped her cloak about her
and almost before Charlie grasped the fact
had gided quietly from the box.
what a nuisance" he muttered as. a
few minutes later, he lit a cigarette under
the portico. "Shall go to the Bedale's or
not? Suppose l must Oreacia wants
Lady B. to present her next season. But
it's so early yet Better go TO the club
no Iamon will be there-I don't want TO
see him again. Why not stroll up u the
cafe Royal and see If that scrap Of paper
was a joke or intended for some one else?'
He nodded TO the door-keeper of the
Cafe as he strollod in and leisurely mount
ed the marble staircase. Slowly he paced
up the narrow stairs. so discreetly. car
peted. and. pushing through the swinging
doors entered the corridor leading to the
private rooms.
No. was fast closed as he neared IT, but
as he faced the door a waiter emerged, and
on the watt of food and champagne rang
a woman's light laugh.
you here. and with lamont"
From Ralph lmonts encircling arms
Oreacia Du-vcr.cl stared imprudently at
The man whc Wa 10 be her husband.
Caught" she said, with little laugh,
and turning her head as though she would
have kissed the man by her side.
But Lamont. hi dark eyes flaming start
cd TO his feet and shook the clinging wo-
man from him as though she had been a
snake.
THANK God. Charlie, that you're here
in time he cried. stretching his hand
across the table 10 where the younger
man stood. pale as stone. Here to see
this woman YOU would nave made your
wife i'm her true Colors
"Oreacia is the woman who. under the
o,ise Of puritv and. innocence, wrecked
the life of my most unhappy brother Jer-
~ You have seen for yourself what man
ner Of woman She is that she fell so cas-
ilv INFO he trap I baited for her with
handful n gold and u few stolen kisses.
Bah, their very memory sickens me.
,roeeinq- some money on the table he took
up his coat and hat.
Come. Charlie. my boy. LEI US go and
leave the past here. amid the guilt and
eaudv velvet. the urtasted food and the
snilt wine of private supper room.
Then he put his arm gently round the
bov and led him from the room.