The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-20
CHAPTER XIII.
Viva.

When DR.. Dudley returned to the ho-
lei he found awaiting him sealed let
ter, addressed in strange hand. He
opened 1t mechanically; but as he read
The contents all the color faded from
mis- face, leaving IT white as marble.
"Oh, Father in Heaven" he groan-
ed, Keeling as though he had been
struck and clutching the fatal letter in
one cold hand. III might have been
spared this!" he moaned. Can it be
!rue?"
Again he read the letter, which ran
IS follows:
Morris Dudley: When I told you
hat your Viva was dead told you that
which Is false She is not dead: and
If you will visit No. I'll Rue &c Where,
Paris, you will find your innocent
darling your pure little flower twas
not that what you called her, mon
sieur); living in gilded sin! When
you do see her, imagine you will con-
:lude that the morgue would have been
a better fate. All, Morris Dudley, I
think am even with you now. Before
you insult woman 1t would be better
10 pause, and ask-'will it pay?'
Lurline Chadwick"
For time the stricken man stood
like statue, bereft of life and motion;
chen a low groan escaped his pale lips
and sinking into seat, he bowed his
head upon a table near and gave way
to the awful sorrow which had fallen
upon him like sudden blow. For he
had believed. he had hoped, that she
was dead; better death than a life of
sin. He had thought that Viva could
not be living, and Lurline's reply to his
question had confirmed his belief.
Still, might there not be faint hope
Of her reformation-if he could only
ind her. and strive to lead her back
to the paths of rectitude; not his wife
no, never again, for the Dudleys were
proud race, and Morris would not
blot his own fair name. But-might
be not save this erring woman from
eternal ruin? There was but one stem
to take, and 1t was the very step which
Lurline Chadwick had not counted
upon-had been certain that he never.
never would take. He decided to 90
at once to Paris. and prove the truth
Of this vile assertion. Lurlne had be-
lieved that he would sooner die than
face his wife. She would have been
full Of CONSERVATION had she known
the truth; that in his room at the VIII
lage hotel Morris Dudley was prepar-
Ing for a hasty trip to Paris. He had
taken Lawyer Greyson into bis conf
dence, and the old man approved of
his course: so one cool, crisp autumn
morning Morris Dudley stepped on
board the vessel which was to bear him
over the ocean. to look upon the sin
md degradation of the woman who had
once been dearer to him than life itself.
The voyage was not protracted one,
Ind at last he landed at Havre, and
started at once for Paris-gay, giddy.
,littering Paris, given over to the
frivolous reign of the monarch Misrule
Arrived there, he left bis luggage at his
lotel, and started without delay for
he place indicated In that cruel let
er--No. 211 Ruo de Where. He
ound small, communicating house.
lot at all the palace which be had pic
ured, and ascending the steps rang
he bell. A neat little maid servar.
answered the summons. DUDLEY wal
stonished at the PLAZA, almost poor In
erior which met his view, and in
ondering surprise managed to stam-
Ter forth request TO see the lady OF
lie house.
He was admitted 10 the plain little
allway and waited Il few moments. At
myth the swish of sweeping garments
pom the bare floor announced the APP
roach Of lady. Ills heart flew into
Is throat, he pressed his hand to his
row, and raising. his eyes, he saw be-
re him tall, graceful woman her
olden hair coiled low at the back of
er head, and pair of serious blue
'es regarding him attentively. A
dy; no mistake; and Morris Dudley
fused before her, with an inward con-
ction that he had been mistaken, or
as the victim of wicked plot. He
'wed conrtenuslv as she paused.
Ito BE Continued)