The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-03-18
CHAPTER XVII.
II Will Stand Aside and Wait"

IL Will Stand Aside and Wait"
lurline Chadwicke stood like froz-
en- thing and confronted the man, her
ewes never wandering, even for a second,
rom his dark, stern and angry face.
Max Ruthven stepped forward and
Extended his hand, with an air OF re-
lief.
"Ah, st. Cyr," he cried; 81 am glad
o see you We all believed you dead.
But I imagine your presence will assist
n clearing up complications here
The other smiled; it was an ugly
smile to see.
yes" he returned, sardonically my
lady here has had her own way long
enough. It's about time for the cur
tain to ring down upon the last act in
he farce which she is playing. I UNI
Iierstand her role, and | am prepared
% check her in every game
you are nothing to mel" stormed
lLurline. True, you were the manager
when l was silly enough to appear in
-four vaudeville, and afterward you
married me; but-bah! what of that?
Men were deceivers ever and when l
.ound you playing me false-I left you,
and then your death was reported"
"Ah, yes" returned the Frenchman,
,eolly; at was said that l blew out my
brains because you took French leave,
put, ali, my dear, you should have
Known me better than that"
"Brute!" she calculated, spitefully.
But even as she spoke, defantly,
showing her hatred in the murderous
Expression of her beautiful face, she
looked like the mouse, upon which the
closed bars of a wire trap have shut
down, and rushing frantically to and
fro, wild with a hope of escape, still
knows that it's fate is sealed, and it is
only beating it's life out against the
strong bars of the prison trap.
She stood like a wild thing at bay,
her blue eyes flashing fire, her breath
coming in ftful gasps, her small
hands clinching and unclinching con-
gulsively. Suddenly she turned to a
igluy SdDluCC HCol, anu SetuSht w -
dainty glittering stiletto-its handlein-
crusted with cleaning emeralds-and,
ere the two men could suspect her in
tention, she had sprung upon st. Cyr.
Demon she Kissed, between her
set teeth.
But Max Ruthven had been watching
her intently and was half prepared
tor this. He darted forward and
catching her arm, tore the weapon
from her grasp, and threw 1t across
the room.
She drew back, painting and baff1ed.
st. Cyr was the first to speak.
| LET her Alone he said, grimly;
''let her go her own way. l have a
fancy to see just where she will bring
, up. Don't trouble heY, Ruthven-thank
you, all the same, for saving my life
r 1t doesn't amount to much, but sor
| how it is the one thing with whicl.
e man generally dislikes to part. i dc
, not intend to interfere with Mrs. Bar.
ton Chadwicke's business; only"
: He stopped, am picked up the emer
t ald-hilted dagger, hid it in his breast
. ut might come useful some day." HI
: suggested, glancing into Lurline's fac'
S with a wicked laugh. And now, m!
: dear Mrs. Chadwicke," with sneerini
Y smile, "go on with your planning ant
plotting, and performing. I'll stand il
II the background and wait. But what i
}, this bit of gossip which reached m.
ears down in the village garden-tha
IS the lady of Chadwick Hall is goin
|. to give to her dear friend
o and neighbors, who have never Gale
:, upon her or taken notice of her.
II grand reception! Something on tn
e plan, suppose, that Mahomet will nc
h go to the mountain, so the mountai
d must come to Mahomet, Lurline, m
Z dear, explain"
r She flashed him an angry glanC
lie from the depths of her blazing eye
is Max looked at her in questioning SUI
vs. prise.
"a reception, Lurline?' he venture
Id inquiringly.
Eyes, | have decided to give recel
so tion," she returned, ungraciously, "ar
ne shall do it. / am worn out with Ii
r. ing the life of recluse here. Withol
at society | shall die. People will CON
IS and if they come ore, they will r
,b turn. and | think they will accept
en- cause have intimated something un
no snail TO be expected-a disclosure in r