The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-21
CHAPTER XIV.
"A Spectre of the Past.

CHAPTER XIV.
, A Spectre of the Past.
Lurline Chadwick sat alone in her
blue and silver boudoir. There was a
discontinued look upon her beautiful
face, which showed that she had not
found her new life as mistress of Chad
wicke Hall thornless path to tread.
She had found the rufIled roseleaf, the
thorn amid the flowers. With all her
intense love of admiration and society,
Lurline Chadwick had found herself,
as Maude had predicted, socially ostra-
cized. Not lady in all the aristocrat-
ic circle in which the Chadwickes had
ever moved had called upon her or ex-
tended her an invitation, or any notice,
more than that bestowed upon the low
est hireling at Chadwicke Hall. And
there was something more now to
bring CONSERVATION to the woman's
heart. Sitting alone in the pretty, per-
fumed boudoir, arrayed in an elegant
dress of pale blue velvet, with turquois
ornaments, Lurline held in her hand
a cablegram which had flashed over
the ocean and reached her that day.
"Lurline Chadwicke: l am indebted
to you, for have found my wife.
Morris Dudley"
And the baff1ed woman knew that
her wicked scheme of vengeance had
failed. She tossed the dispatch aside,
and arising, began to pace up and
down the beautiful room, pausing oc-
casionally to glance at her own superb
face and figure reflected in full-length
mirror on the azure satin wall. A look
of impotence flashed over her beauti-
full face.
II wonder If he 10 ever coming?" she
muttered, clinching her white hands,
all glittering with costly jewels. "Timo
was when he never kept me waiting!
But he has changed so fearfully; hesel-
dom comes to the house; and how hap
py was tonight when l received his
note, which told me that he would be
with me at eight o'clock. Max-dar-
ling Max! l can never cease to love
him, no matter how coldly he treats
me. He is the one object for whom I
have fought my hard battle with fate;
for him l have planned and plotted.
And now, to think he will be with me
soon. Perhaps perhaps the old love
has come back, and he cares for me as
of Old
Even as she spoke there was a firm
footstep outside the door, and a low
tap upon the panel. She threw it open
with an eager hand. Max Ruthven
stood before her, pale and sad.
"How happy I am TO see you'll" she
exclaimed. "Oh, Max! why have you
deserted me so long;"
But he made her no answer. He en-
ered the room, and seated himself on
he satin couch. She threw herself
Town at his side, gazing up into his
itern face with eyes full of love.
"You have come back to mel" she
laid, softly. ooh, Max! felt sure that
you would love me again."
His eyes met hers with cold, hard
sleam.
"You love me, Lurline?" he quer-
3D.
"You are dearer to me than my own
Ioul!" she painted eagerly.
His eyes wore a knocking light in
their depths.
well, listen to me-" he said. "If I
we're to marry you, would you give up
FOUR claim upon the Chadwicke for
tune?"
She stared at him, her eyes full of
indisguised wonder.
Would I-what?" she faltered.
"Give up your false position here"
he cried, his dark eyes scintillating;
return to that poor girl the fortune
pf which you have deprived her; take
,othing but your wardrobe, and jewels,
Ind leave this place forever; be my
wife, and we will g. to Europe. and
cave behind us all the falseness and
he folly of the position which you oc-
10 you say, Lurline?'
Still she gazed at him, wild, incred-
llous.
"Oh, ecstacy!" she painted, at last,
DO you really love NE like that, Max?
If so, vile as l have been, am the
aappiest woman in the round world"
He glanced at her with contemptu-
GUS smile.
Love you?" he cried, harshly. mo! |
q thousand times no, you treacherous
thing! love Lesley Dinsmore, and for
her sake l am willing to sacrifice my
SELF for I never knew, until she
taught me by her holy example, what
pure, unselfsh love can exist in this
dreary world"
All the color died out Of Lurline
Chadwicke's face as she listened to his
reckless defiant words. She saw it all
now. She had had her chance in life, /
and lost it. The new hope springing
up in her heart died sudden and vio-
lent death. She turned upon him like /
a mad creature.
How dare you insult me thus?" she
Kissed, fiercely. "HoU dare you offer
me your hand while your heart is Les
ley Dinsmore's? Max Ruthven, l hate
you! From this hour all of love-my
mad, unreasoning WJrship-turns to