Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-11-26
CHAPTER XVI.

bnrburu Huu HO ulUICVVN III iCuNlIg hut
rooms unnoticcd and meeting Bryant at
a short distance from the lodge gates: but
the deception was abhorrcnt TO her: she
hated and despiscd herself only less than
she hated and dcspised the man who fore.
ed her to II.
The Royal Hotel was u substantial and
prosperous looking house standing in the
market square of Arlington and facing
the town hall. n fine modern building. AS
they drove up the clock in its tower struck
the quarter to four: the market place
was almost deserted save for cabs on
the stand and n few little children playing
about n drinking fountain 10 the center
OF the square. a hostlcr came out OF the
hotel and stood at the horses head while
Bryant sprang out and held out his arms
to Barbara: but the girl drew back with
an irrcprcssiblc shuddcr and just touched
his hand lightly rs she sprang down I'M
aided, lie looked at her with u sarcastic
smile.
"You will not always dcspise my assist
ancc," he said. mcaningly. rs they passed
In under the archcd entrance Of the hotel,
Barbara keeping her veil closely over her
face.
~ must see him alone"
"Ccrtainly" he returned. smiling. II
will 90 and soc to the welfare of Lady
Roses chestnut and he ready for you.
You need not announce u.s. he added TO
the waiter. who bowed and disappeared
with the stoliliiy of expression usual to
his class. while Bryant waited a moment.
then sauntcrcd back down the corridor
again.
For a minute Barbara stood trembling
and irrcsolutc before the closed door Of
the room which the waiter had shown her.
She Iongcd yet dreaded to enter IL: she
felt that. IL Mark confirmed Bryants
statement. she would have lost all hope
NJ happiness in this life: there would he
nothing left for her hut death. Making
u desperate effort to regain her sclf-con'
troll, she pushed open the door. and, en-.
tcring, closed II softly after her.
A minute passed ere Mark raised his
head. When he did 50. his eyes rested on
her for n moment without recognition;
then he rose quickly.
"You sent for me-" he said. after {
pause. II was sorry to have to ask you
10 meet me here: bui--but there were rca.
sons why I could not go to barley Hall
and there appeared to bc No other way Of
seeing you but this. HID you much trou'
bic In getting hcrc:"
"Oh. no.
Her mouth was parched aud dry. he,
lips were trembling. 50 that even thoss
two short words were difficult Of utter
ancc.
"You are in trouble. Barbara" he wen.
on, kindly. "'Tcll me what 1t IL. dear
aud IL can help you. yon may be SIM
TINT I will do IT,"
II know" she responded. IN n honrst
whisper. But YOU can hc.p ruc OILY ID
one way"
"llc told me. Is Il trucY" she said. "Is
Il true!"
Her hands clnspcd his with fcvcrisl
strength. her eyes looked up warm with
an agony In them which rent his heart.
ole sworc Ia mo that he would not tel
you!" he muttcrc,i. n great anger flash
ing for moment into his inrk-gray eyes
"Thcn Il Is truc!" she questioned. hel
hands slackcning slightly their clasp 81
his. her body swaying backward a little
but her great wild eyes never leavinl
his face for a moment, 40 she stood walt
ing for his reply.
1T II true. dear" he said, In u vOic,
The low. moaning sohs ccoscl nj Ina
from tho .irrs sheer exhnms,ion: the,
she raised herself from the cushions nm,
sat upright. Her face looked gray an.
dny. and when shc smoke hcr voice wn,
like that OF one enrecbled by long Hines,
.n,, ,,i,,.,,.i .vrrorn,
"yo" Knew ,his when :" shc oskcd
"a short lime ago liz ,o,S mc an,
whom I hoard n 7 cou,d univ h,ams INV
sclf FOR tho mistake which .,edc."
"You hayc-.you have verified the tint,
or his assertionY'
eyes. Barbara. I would uive nv M
n have known This three yeSrs nc"" n,
said. burricdIv. His voice shaken Inv .mo
tion.
SWIM d,J wan mt ,o,, mn vo,r,o,,,,
she moa ned. feebIy. rsi,inr her heod %
:. ,,omont ,hon i.t,;,. ~ .;.on ..",r .,,s,
her arms. ''''
"Eecouse I did not r,con that N,
should ever know" he answcroI ~
grave and tender t6nc. ~ saw M nasal
Derhans 1 WAS wrong: hut since bv Mold
inc v"ur nositlon vOm wronvod M ma
since Lord Els,lule loves Won. NM, Won mr.
A pleasure and solace In bis lonely IiSo
aimee there Ia M othor claimant r"r IN
wealth Won cnioy. I saw M good mr. am n,
clent reason for telling Won tho truth"
There was a long silence.
"How did Won co,neY" Mark nskod
glancing out ut the square wherc nm
lamps were already cleaning In the win
/ ter dusk.