Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-06-02

a-Glf@t Aei AtAI lIitLQ-
Won are msd," said the lady con-
temHtuoUsly.
Perhaps So" 81 Lurline, eoolly.
Nevertheless, you will speedily dis
cover that there is method in my mad
ness. As you are ali aware the true
heir 70 the estate has never been dis
covered, and il was not even known il
male or female had right TO the
Chadwicke fortune. Strange as it
may appear. ] have lately come into
possession Of papers which prove my
right TO the name OF Chadwicke, even
before I became Barton Chadw;cks's
wife I am. OF course. prepared to
prove my assertion. and shall take
steps 10 DO so Immediately. All. Les
ley. my dear. it want wise 10 be quite
so hiGh and mighty with me; IL is my
turn now TO show you the door and the
sooner you leave the better for all con-
cerned."
Not so fast. madam. II you please"
interposed Mrs. Greyson, sternly. you
must be out of your senses to think
for a moment that Lesley Dinsmore is
going TO relinquish her Inheritance in
favor OF any impostor who comes along
with a trumped-up tale. Be kind
enough to take your departure, mad
am, at least until this matter can be
investigated"
Very we'll" said Lurline sardonic-
ally, "the delay of a few days can mat
hr,f 20 II Ix. fN-
the investigation, and will speedily
prove my claims, and l warn you that
! shall have little difficulty in enforc-
Ing my claims. All, Lesley Dinsmore
Mrs. Ardsley-you will find out how
much John Ardsley, as he calls him
self, cares for you, when your riches
shall take to themselves wings and fly
away Good-morning, ladies"
There was the swish of a sweeping
train over the floor OF the marble hall
without, the outer door closed behind
her, and Lurline Chadwicke was gone.
Max followed her
Lesley stood for some time like ono
bereft of life. Mrs. Greyson led her to
sofa, and seated herself by her side.
Lesley" she said, kindly, my poor
child. what means that-that fiend in
woman's shape by calling you Mrs.
Ardsley?"
Lesley laid her head upon Mrs.
Greyson's motherly breast and sobbed
out the whole story of her clandestine
marriage Mrs. Greyson's kind face
looked grave and troubled.
Il fear that you have acted unwisely,
my child" she said softly. Il like
Mr. Ardsley very much; but secret
marriages seldom bring happiness.
and-he evidently has something to
conceal. Lesley, we must be wise as
serpents and work diligently to cir
cumvent this terrible woman. My
dear, l fear that she has some founda-
ton for her assertion. She must real
ly possess such papers as she declares
TO be in her hands: and, even though
they are forged. | apprehend that we
can do nothing unless it is in our pow
er to prove their falseness. We will
have to fight her, Lesley"
The girl arose, pallid and stern; her
eyes flashed with an ominous light,
and her face was set, and resolute and
determined.
we will fight her, Mrs. Greyson!"
she said, calmly-"to the bitter end
If we are conquered at least l shall
have nly husband"
But Mrs. Greyson made no reply,
only shook her head gravely.
A telegram flew over the wires at
once, which brought Lawyer Greyson
to Chadwicke Hall, pale and anxious.
He was accompanied by DIR. Dudley,
for impelled by an irresistible impulse
for which he could not account, though
he afterward blessed it as an inspira-
| ton, lie had begged the young physi-
elan to go down with him.
Once arrived at the hall, the old law
yer went TO work with a will in the
case But he found The papers which
were produced by Mrs. Chadwicke, to
be cunningly contrived. Whether false
ing the truth.
Days came and went. Lurline had
gone to a neighboring city, where she
had retained famous counsel to push
her case. Her beauty, and the strange
fascination Of her manner, were not
without effect upon the counsel, who
as she had been we'll aware when she.
engaged him, was very impressiona-
BILE old bachelor. and when the case
was brought to issue IL was decided in
her favor.
And all this time, John Ardsley had
not been seen or heard from. Since the
night that she had become his wife, and
he had kissed her goodnight in the
porch, Lesley had not seen him. And
now, bereft of her wealth, worse than
widowed, and heartbroken, poor Lesley
was driven like an outcast from Chad
Wicke Hall.
lTo vE CONTINUED.