Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-06-09
CHAPTER XIII.

When DR.. Dudley returned to the no.
tel he found awaiting him a sealed let
ter, addressed in strange hand. lie
opened 1t mechanically; but as he read
the contents all the color faded from
his face, leaving it white as marble
"Oh, Father in Heaven" he groan-
ed, reeling as though he had been
struck and clutching the fatal letter in
one cold hand "If I might have been
spared this!" he moaned. Can it be
true?"
Again he read the letter, which ran
as follows;
Morris Dudley: When l told you
that your Viva was dead l told you that
which is false She is not dead; and
II you will visit No. 211 Rue de Villere,
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, l imagine you will con-
clude that the morgue would have been
n better fate All. Morris Dudley.
think am even with you now. Before
you insult woman it would be better
| to pause, and ask-'will it pay?'
Lurline Chadwicke."
For a time the stricken man stood
like statue, bereft of life and motion;
then low groan escaped his pale lips
and sinking into a seat, he bowed his
head upon a table near and gave way
to the awful sorrow which had fallen
upon him like a sudden blow. For he
had believed, he had hoped. that she
was dead; better death than 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 a faint hope
of her reformation-if he could only
find 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
he not save this erring woman from
eternal ruin? There was but one step
to take, and 1t was the very step which
1urline Chadwicke had not counted
upon-had been certain that he never,
never would take. He decided to go
at once TO Paris, and prove the truth
OF this vile assertion. Lurline 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-
l,n crv t,-f, 81
taken Lawyer Greyson into his 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
and degradation of the woman who had
once been dearer to him than life itself.
The voyage was not protracted one,
and at last he landed at Hayre, and
started at once for Paris-gay, giddy.
glittering Paris, given over to the
frivolous reign OF the monarch Misrule.
Arrived there, he left his luggage at his
hotel and started without delay for
the place indicated in that cruel let
teI-No. 211 Rue de Villere. He
found a small, communicating house,
uut at all the palace which he had pic
tured, and ascending the steps rang
the bell. neat little maid servant
answered the summons. Dudley was
sstonished at the plain, almost poor IN
teTioF which met his view, and in
wondering surprise managed to stam-
mer forth request to see the lady OF
the house
He was admitted to the plain little
hallway and waited few moments. At
length the swish OF sweeping garments
upon the bare floor announced the ap-
proaCh OF lady. His heart few into
his throat, he pressed his hand to his
brow, and raising his eyes, he saw be-
fore him tall, graceful woman, her
golden hair coiled low at the back OF
her head, and a pair of serious blue
eyes regarding him attentively. A
lady; no mistake: and Morris Dudley
paused before her, with an inward con-
viction that he had been mistaken, or
was the victim OF q wicked plot. He
bowed Oourteously as she paused.
Il think there is some mistake!" he
began, but | was directed to this
house. You are English, madam"
Something in his tone assured her
that he was no imp0stor; she bowed in
the affirmative.
MY husband is Rolande, the Eng
lish artist" she returned in low mu-
steal voice: we have lived in this
house for the past eight years. Whom
did you wish to see, sir?"
There Is surely some mistake"
returned the discomftted man, my
name is Dudley" he laid one OF his
business cards in the LADY, hand, and
was directed 10 211 Rue de Where, to
find lady of the same name"
This is certainly 211," returned
Mrs. Rolande, Weditatively, and no