Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-01-20
Continued.

DlUp uUmeuL' HG SaIu Cuoiiy :
Just one moment before you ring
Pray consider! The servant cannot
possibly enter, as the door Is locked. >
You dared TO lock the door!" she
exclaimed, sudden fear chilling her
heart as she remembered similar
manoeuvres on the part OF the Reyer-
end Mr.. DyceWorthy--then another
thought crossed her mind, and she
began TO retreat towards large paint
cd panel Of Venus" disporting among
Francis sprang to her side, and caught
her arm In an iron grip--his iace
aGame with baliled spite and vindic-
tiveness.
Yes, / dared!" he muttered with
triumphant malice. And / dared do
more than that! You lay unconscious
in my arms,-you beautiful, bewltch-
Ing Thelma, and kissed you-ay! fifty
times! You can never undo those
kissesl You can never forget that my
lips, as we'll as your husbands have
rested on yours have had that much
Joy that shall never be taken away
from me! And II ] choose, even now"
and he grlpped her more closely
yes. even now | will kiss you, in spite
OF you!--who Is to prevent me? ! will
force you to love me, Thelma~---"
Driven TO bay, she struck him with
oil her force In tho face, across the
eyes.
Traitor --liarl-cowardW abe gasp
cd breathlessly. Let me go!'
Smarting with the pain Of tho blow,
he unconsciously loosened his grasp
she rushed to the Venus" panel, and
to his utter discontinue and amaze
ment he saw II open and close behind
her She disappeared suddenly and
noiselylessly as If by magic. With n
fierce exclamation, he threw his whole
weight against that secret sliding door
1t resisted all his Efforts lie search
cd for the spring by which IL must
have been opened, the whole panel
was perfectly smooth and apparently
solid, and tho painted Venus" reCln-
ing on her dolphln's back seemed AZ
though she smiled mOckingly ut his
rage and disappointment
While he was examining IL, he heard
the sudden, sharp, and continuous
ringing of an electric bell somewhere
In the house, and with u guilty flush
ON his face he sprang to the drawing
room door and unlocked It. He was
Just In time, for scarcely had he turn
cd the koy, whom Morris made his ap-
pearance. That venerable servitor
looked around the room In evident sur
prise.
Did her ladyship rng?" he IN
CURED, his eyes rowing everywhere in
search of his mistress. Sir Francis
collected his wits. and forced himself
to seem composed.
mo" he said coolly. II rang" lIo
adopted This falsehood us n means of
exit. Call a hanson. viii your"
And he sauntered easily into tho hall,
and got ON his hat and grent-coat.
Morris was rather hewilderod, but,
obedlent to the command blew the
summon!ng cab whistle, which was
promptly answered Sir Francis
tossed him half II crown, and entered
tho vehicle, which clatterod away with
HIM in the direction Of Cromwell Road.
stopping nj II particular house In II
side street leading from thence, he bado
the cabman walt, and, ascending the
steps, busted himself fur some mo-
ments In scrlbbling something rapidly
In pencil on leaf OF his notebook by
the light of the hanging-lamn In the
doorway, He then gave n loud knock,
and inquired of the servant who AN
Nered it
is Mr., Snawlcy -Gruhbs in"
Yes, sir."- the reply came rather
Aesitatingly but he's having a party
to- night"
And. In fact, the scraping of violns
was distinctly audible overhead.
ooh. we'll just mention my name
Sir Lonnox. Say will not detain him
more than Ave minutes,
He entered and was ushcred into a
small ante-room while the maid went
to deliver hcr message He caught
sight of his own reflection In n round
mirror over the mantel-picce, and his
face darkened rs he saw n dun red
ridge eross his forehead the mack OF
Themn's wcll-dirccted blow tho
Ign manual Of her srorn 4 few min
utes passed, and then thoro camc in to
him large man in an expansive Dress
suit,--a man with puffy, red,
Silenus-like countcnancc no other
than Mr.. Snawlcy Gruhhs, who hailed
him with ELUSIVE cordiallty.
"My dear Sir Francls!" he said In a
rich thick, comfortable voice. "This
10 an unexpected pleasure! Won't YOU
come upstairs? My girls are having u
little Informal dance just among
themselves and thor own young
friends quite simple, In fact an UNI
pretentious little AFFAIR."" And he
rubbed his hands, on which twinkled
two or three large diamond rings,
but we shall be charmed II you will
join us!"
Thanks, not this evening" returned
Sir Francis Its rather too late. |