The Portland daily press., 1898-04-18
!, WILLIAM LIE QUEUX.

One day, early in January, I had re-
ceived q message from Lord Warnham to
call at his house in Berkeley Square, but
when I arrived found a note stating that
he had been compelled unexpectedly to go
down to Lord Maybury's seat in Hert-
fordshhire to consult him. Therefore 1
left, and it being.a cold but invigorating
afternoon resolved to walk home. Pro-
ceeding along Piccadilly and Knights
bridge, l skirted the Park, and entering
kensington Gardens by the Alexandria
Gate, strolled towards kensington in the
full enjoyment of cigar. Ella had, l
knew, gone to Pont street, her mothe
being rather unwell, therefore walked
leisurly bsneath the leafless smoke black
ened trees. The short. gloomy day was
now fast drawing to close, and. with
the falling gloom, chill wind had
sprung up, whistling mournfully through
the bare branches, causing me to turn up
my coat-collar and draw on my gloves.
1 fapcied myself alone, for at four o'clock
in winter the place is dismal and desert
ed. Having passed Queens Gate was
approaching the Broad Walk, when I was
attracted by two figures strolling slowly
together in front of me, a man and q
woman. At first took no heed, and
would in few moments have overtaken
them, when it occurred to me that the
silhouette of the. woman was familiar
even in the dusk. Again 1 looked, and
noticed that she WAS fashionably dressed
in a dark brown tailor made gown, a
sealskin cape and close-ftting hat. Next
second 1 realized the amazing truth.
The woman walking before me was Ella
Her companion, tall, broad shoul-
dered young man, wore a long drab over
coat of distinctly ''horsey' out, silk hat
of the latest shape. and displayed good
deal of shirt cuff. He was evidently a
fop, and his whole exterior, from his var
nished boots to the velvet cuffs of his
overcoat, pronounced him to be a cad.
Leisurely he strobe by her side, sInok-
ing q cigarette and earnest in converse
ton, now and then emphasizing his words
by striking the palm of one gloved hand
with his fist.
Once, as I logged their footsteps, my
teeth clenched in fierce anger, l heard
her give vent to ripping peal of laugh
ter that echoed among the black, gaunt
tree-trunks I knew by that laugh she
was to rush up to them and demand an
explanation, but my second thought had
been to hold my anger in control and as
certain the true extent Of her perfdy.
Was not this the second time had detect
ed Ella walking alone with a man in
lover-like attitude?
i loved her with all my heart, and had
my affection, yet here, in this single
moment, the cup OF happiness was dashed
from my lips. I knew I had been the
victim of base deception; while I, fool
that had been, had TO ndly imagined
that she loved me. she had abandoned all
self-respect and allowed herself to walk
in a public garden with chance met
acquaintance. Sonia's ominous words
recurredito me, and 1 saw how had been
tricked and betrayed. The pretty refugee
was right, notwithstanding the denuncia-
tions Of the diplomatist and the spy, both
of whom had some motive in discrediting
her statement.
With eager eyes and heavy heart, fol-
lowed the pair cautiously, fearing each
tect my presence. Apparently they were
too deeply engrossed in each others talk
which although carried on in tone so
low that l could catch no single word
seemed scarcely of an amatory nature,
judging from tlba many gestures. To me
it appeared rathar as if he were urging
her to do something from which she
shrank. Once, while he spoke, she
stopped short and stretched out both
hands towards him in an attitude of sup
plication. But he did not heed her. for,
giving vent to a lew laugh, he continued,
emphasizing his words as before. Then
olenching her hanGs, she stamped her foot
in anger and, tossing her head in con-
tempt, walked forward again, needless of
her companion's threatening attitude.
From that moment both grew calmer,
for the man uttering.. words of forgiveness
snatched up her hand and imprinted a
kiss upon it. For brief second she al
lowed her hand to Enger fin his grasp,
then withdrew it gently, but firmly, re-
garding him with etzrnestness the while.
This action aroused my anger to fierce,
-
aged to preserve an sputward calm, be-
cause, in my state OF mind, felt COM
PEELED to watch and laait. Yet, If 1 had
had weapon ready 80 my hand at that
moment, l verify believe that 1 must
have thrown myself npon this arrogant
cad and mercilessly killed him.
The manner in which his hat was set
npon sls head ss o sgs asksw and IN 6s
over urdening magnetism, were in
themselves sufficient 60 show the type of
lover my wife cultivated. AS stepped
SOFTLY behind them ia the gloom, told
| myself that she must leave my house that
night, or / should. 7 felt in my throat a
choking sensation, for I had loved her SO
fervently that this discovery of her false
ness had utterly unnepved me, and even
in those moments of fierce anger and
hatred l confess that tears welled in my
eyes. Ella was the only woman had
ever loved, yet she who had taken her
marriage vows a few Ghort months before
mad already discarded me for this over.
dressed idiot, who wauld be termed in
vulgar parlance ''bounder. -
Perhaps he did not know her to be mar
ried. This thought took possession Of me.
When their quarrel ended it became mani
fest that Ella herself was endeavoring to
fascinate and hold him, just as she had
charmed me, by the softness of her speech,
her exquisite grace, zand.her wonderful
beauty She spoke quietly, with her
dainty finger tips. laid lightly upon his
arm, while he listened, gazing earnestly
into her face enchanted.
Tonight, | told myself, the bonds unit
ing me to Ella should be forever severed.
remembered the many occasions when
she had been absent visiting imaginary
friends; recollected the evening she
brought home the violets and preserved