The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-19


nre and paced UP and down the room, II
thought it would come that, if I thought
should ever have to speak in order to save
her, l think it would xiii me; L could not go
through with the ordeal and lve-and yet
how could 1 refuse?'
A few evenings after Lady Lillian and
odille again sat in the latter's room scuss-
ing the Laroques. After Lady Lillian left
Odille sat thinking of the past.
Suddenly as her eyes wandered round the
room, they rested or what appeared to be
letter lying Oh the carpet close to the hearth
rug Wondering how it could have come
there for she received no letters, Odille stoop-
ed and picked it up.
AS she did a photograph fell out of the
envelope on to the floor. The envelope was
addressed to Lady Lillian Hereward,' in
mans handwriting, at sight of which cry
escaped Odle's pale lips, for she recognized
the writing Immediately, though she had not
seen it for nearly two years. The characters
were fatally familiar, and although the en-
VelCpe contained nc letter with its signature
to enlighten her as to the writer, she knew.
without an instant OF doubt, whom it was
Rene LaroQue, ana the knowledge filled her
with unspeakable dis1nay. The photograph
meanwhile lay on the floor face doWnWards
and forgotten
Odille stood for few seconds staring with
Mortified, desps ring eyes at the envelope
then signing deeply, she bent down and pick
ed UP the photo. Before glancing at it she
knew whose features she was about to look
upon, and yet the sight Of the portrait gave
he" a Shock for it DESTROYED the last vestige
of doubt and hope The portrait that of
Rene LarOque.
In spite Of her trouble and bewilderment
however it did not take Odllle many minutes
to arrive at several conclusions-first, that
the envelope and portrait must have fallen
from the pocket Of Lady Lilian's dressing
gown; secondly, that the envelope addressed
in the handwriting of Rene Laroque, had
in all probability contained a letter, which
fact-if a fact-proved that the Frenchman
evidently in corresponce with Lady Lii
w
her, else she, being very proud and exclusive,
would hardly have accepted his photograph
and kept it about her person. This logical
deduction stared her in the face and filled
her with CONSERVATION.
1T is as 1 feared, then, after ALL she said
to herself, land l shall nave to speak.
For some minutes she stood in the middle
of the room, holding the envelope and the
portrait in her hand, her brows drawn to-
gether, lost in thought. Suddenly she threw
back her head. Her mind made up.
Il daresay it will be worse than use4ess to
try and influence her. but l will attempt, it.
If 1 turn her against me. 1 must resign my
self to her enmity. For his sake, as we'll
for her oWn L must do my utmost to save
her. If I succeed, shall be spared the great
er and far more terrible ordeal that l dread
worse than any DEATH
Pale to the lips. but resolute, she moved
towards the door with the look in her fine
strong face of martyr who goes to meet
her doom. The apartment Lady Lillian oc-
cupied adjoined her own. Her ladyship had
not retired to rest. When, in response to her
clearly spoken Come in!'' Odille entered, she
found the earl's sister seated at her. writing
table, reading letter, which she covered
up with the blotting pad her companion
approached
"Ah, it is you, Odlle!" was the smiling re-
mark: You are keeping vigil like myself.
How pale you are! Don't you feel well?
Il am not i'll, thank you, Lillian. l was just
preparing to go to bed when found this let
ter lying on the floor by your chair in my
room. l think it must have fallen from your
pocket'-and she held out the envelope.
Lady Lillian rose hastily, and took it with
trembling fingers. while her face flushed
vivid crimson Turning away to hide her
writing-ta table drawer. When she turned
round again. the flush had faded and she had
recovered her usual composure.
Thanks, Odille You the right; it must
have fallen from my pocket. You need not
have troubled to return it to me until tomor-
row. 1t is certain that neither of will get
any beauty sleep tonight. You, think, have
most need of it, for l never saw you so pale
going to bed, anyhow. Good night, DEAR and
pleasant Dreams
And lady Lillian rose from her chair by the
writing table and yawned.
| Good night answered Odille, moving
mechanically towards the door. On the
threshold she paused, stood still for several
minutes, and then turned slowly round.
You said just now, Lillian, that 1 looked
as if had seen a ghost, and l have she
began, in a solemn voice-"the~ ghost of the
past evoked by-by the photograph that fell
from the envelope restored to you just now.
found it lying face downward on the floor,
and in picking it up 1 could not help seeing
whose portrait it was.'
She paused, pressing the palms of both
hands tightly together, and breathing quickly
Lady Lillian gazed at her in naughty
amaze.
Il can quite understand how you came to
see the photogra ph-nor is there any particu