The Portland daily press., 1898-11-15
Chapter XVIII.
SINNED AGAINST.


Lianes first inclination was not to
comply with the request, for knowing the
crafty nature of this woman, she feared
THAI the words had been written merely
to place her off her guard. Yet immediate,
" after luncheon at the Villa Chevrier on
the following day she declared her inten-
ton of going down to the English library
to get some books, and leaving her father
and the Prince smoking over. their
Lilo uers, went out upon the Promenade.
As .;oon. however, as she was out of sight
of the windows of the Villa, she hailed a
passing cab and drove to the Grand Hotsi
where she found George sitting in wick
er-ehair in the doorway consollng him
SELF by smoking cigarette and awaiting
her.
3" You have come at last, he cried, APP
preaching the carriage. Don't get out.
We will drive straight to tine station. y
and stepping in, he gave the man alrec-
lions.
What does this mean?' inquired Liane
II cannot tell its meaning. dearest " he
answered, 81 merely received note
saving that you would call for me on
your way to Monaco =
Have you no idea why she desires 10
see both of uss'
ssNone whatever he replied.
1Ou DttVo lOQAo lO1s SAS -
a deep. earnest tone. "In my letter she
says that you are her friend. You don :
know her true character. suppose, his
Well-beloved added, looking earnes tly IN
to his eyes. IF you did you would not
visit her. II
..She lives in an air of the most severe
responsibility he said. II d1ned at the
Villa Fortunee the night before last, and
found her an extremely pleasant hostess.
She smiled. Then, while driving along
the Avenue de la Care to the station she
told him of Mariette's past in similar
words to those used by Madame Bertholet.
He sat listening eagerly, but DARK
shadow crossed his features when, in con-
clusion. she added, Such, unfortunately,
is the woman who is to be brlbed TO
marry you -
They alighted, obtained their tickets
crossed the platform. and entered the
"rapide. :" 1t was crowded with people
going to Monte Carlo, and the tunnels
rendered the journeyshot, dusty and I'M
pleasant. Nevertheless the distance was
not far, and when half-a hour later they
were ascending the steep winding way
which led up to the rock of Monaco, Llane'
heart sank within her, for she feared that
she was acting unwisely.
sit is very remarkable that Marietta
should have written to US both in this
manner. - George was saying as he
strolled on beside the pale-faced, graceful
gill. Evidently she desires to consult
us upon some matter of urgency. Perhaps
it concerns us both. Who knowss"
s.ft may she answered mechanically.
"She is not, however, aperson to trust. !"
By hersmanner he saw that she was
annoyed and jealous that he should have
visited and dined with this woman SO
strangely referred to in his fathers will
and fastened to re-assure her that there
was but one woman in the world for him.
Then you will not marry her?' she
cried eagerly. DO not. for my sake. Ii
you knew all you would rather cast the
money into yonder sea than become her
husband"
''Well,'' he said, 1T is imperative that
she should be offered the bride to become
my wife. If she refuses shall gain fifty
thousand pounds. have thought of buy
ing her refusal by Offering to divide
equally with her the sum shall obtain -
Excellent |" she cried. enthusiastically
81 never thought of that. If she will
do so the cruel punishment your father
indeed will be turned to pleasure, and
you will be twenty-five thousand pounds
the richer"
ssI will approach her, he said. after
brief hesitation. ssYou know, darling,
that love you far too we'll to contem-
plate marriage with any other woman.
But remember. can never become
your wife, . she observed huskily. her eyes
tears. II am debarred from that. .
"AhI no." he CRIED. 1don't say that
Let us hope on.
tAll hope within me is Dead" she an
swered gloomily. 81 care nothing now for
the future. In a fsw brief days we are
leaving here, and shall say farewell,
George. never again to meet you. y
you always speak so strangely and so
dismally," he said. "You viii never tell
revocably bound to Zertho. In the old
days at Stratfeld yon always took me
into your confidence
YES. yes, she answered, quickly. II
would tell you everything If 1 could-but
l dare not. You would hate me-"
''Hate you. Why?"
'sYou could no longer grasp my hand
must not, you shall not know, for could
not bear that you of men should spurn
me. leave me- and remember me only
with loathing. I could not bear it. !
would rather kill my:elf."
She was mbfIng, her breast rose and
fell with the exertiDn of the steep ascent,
and her face was bianched and haggard.
Her attitude. whenever her referred to
Zertho, always mystified and puzzled him
4io0 oAO NV DROAo'A seaSoOAy "a nOAAaS
strange crimep"
Yet he loved her with all the strength
of his being. and the sight of her terrible
anxiety and dread panied him heyofd
measure. He was ready and willing 10
do anything to assist ana liberate her
from the mysterious thraldom, neSerthe-
less she preserved a silence logged and
complete. He stToye to discern way out
of the complicated situation, but copdd
discover none.
Have yen ever keen to the Villa For
tunee beforef'' he asked presently, after
a long and painful silence, when they Elad
crossed the sunny square before She
Princes palace, and Were strolling along
the road which skirted the rook with the
small blue bay to their left and the
white houses OF Monte Carlo cleaning
beyond.
No. she answered. 81 had no idea
Mar .ette, the Golden Hand lived hew
She used always to live at "A little bfJou
villa in the Rue Gotta at Nice.
g The Golden Handp'' he exclaimed, laugh
ing. 'tWhy do you call her that?"
1T is the name she has earned at the
tables because of her extraordinary coed
fortune, Liane answered. Her winnings
at tr5nte et-quarante ara said to have
heen greater perhaps than any other play
or during the past few years. 5
AT that moment the road turned sharp