Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-05-11

10 TtslSi, NHtuy HdYlHB TecONeTeu cOh-
tciousness, Marie held a sleeping
araught TO her lips. Had the cup col
tained a deadly poison, she would still
-unhesitatingly, perhaps with greater
a~lacrity-have swallowed it's contents.
As 1t was, 1t was nearly noon when she
lifted her heavy lids ana looked won
deringly about the darkened room, en-
d~eayoring to recall the events of the
previous night. All too soon, too read
lily, they shaped themselves before her
mental vision, and the dull pain at her
lite agony.
.Mariev' she called. softly, and in
stantly the faithful girl stood beside
her.
"Madame?" she answered.
Help me to dress. Marie. I have
slept too long. 1t must be late, and /
must see monsieur before he leaves his
rooms"
Monsieur has already rome out, mad
anne. lie called very early this morn
Ing for his coffee, and Jean packed II
valise for him, so I thought he might
be going on some Journey. He left a
note. however, for madame. Are you
strong enough to read it,"
"Yes. yesr' Florence answered, i'm
patiently.
Marie drew the letter from the peck
ct of her dress; then crossed the room
10 open the blind and let in sufficient
light by which ii might be read.
But ever in that momentary delay,
e TIAVanx.. 1.nl rn,,,I ts-,A
upon its contents. Her husband had
repeated of his cruelty. His nobler.
better nature had reasserted itself. He
had resolved, If, indeed. it were true,
that the marriage was not legal, TO
make IL so; and he would not meet her
until he had taken some step to atone
Tor the terrible injustice and wrong he
! had inflicted upon her innocence ana
confiding faith.
Thus she reasoned as, with trem-
bling fingers, she broke the seal-his
seal-his crest-a serpent charming Is
blrd-a strange and appropriate de
vice.
But IL her hand strembled as she
~ opened and unfolded the sheet, the bold
characters upon 1t showed no sigh of
such feminine weakness. They were
Nearly impressed. She needed little
light to see and decipher them.
Il fear, dear Florence said the let
or. from our Interview last evening,
and the scene which preceded it, tina,
rou are inclined to be unreasonable;
w Ind of a woman's unreasonableness /
a all a mans horror. Therefore, |
AVE determined to spend a few days
ut Of town. | am extremely sorry that
fou should view matters as you do. IL
'ou persist in thus regarding them. it
gere better, | think, that we should
sot, for the PRE- sent, meet; but If. on
he contrary, You will cease to be 81
hild and become a sensible woman, a
cte addressed to my club viii always
nd me. No amount of rebellion will
y away with facts; therefore. my dear
florence, why not accept them? OF
oUrse, your account at your bankers
ands as it always has done. Draw on
without reserve. A tot. Louis
Swiftly her eyes glanced over the
eartless, cruel words. Would they
IL her love? Not yet. IL still hun
red, still burning; for to kill it was
take from her all that was best.
She crushed the paper In her fingers,
Id the small, white teeth were firmly
cked together.
#4NATa az Tia instant aplfttit gu
it'll a small packet, which she laid
BON the bed.
For madam" she said.
Nerved to control, Florence took and
ened it. A velvet case was beneath
e wrappings, and within a bracelet,
/ in precious stones of great value
Il of exquisite workmanship. 10
Itch her husbands card was at
ned.
Ter eyes blazed with the diamonds
IN fire as she realized that thus he
)uld tempt her 20 shame. The last
nnant OF softness died.
Give this back to the messenger
irie." she ordered. Say TO him that
lis n mistake, which, later, Monsieur
rvase will explain. Then return
ickly; l must dress.
,ilently and swiftly the girl obeyed,
,ressing the exclamation which half
e to her lips.
baking off the faintness which OPP
sssed her, Florence rose and dressed.
carcely was her toilet completed
II the clock struck /. and five min
S later Harry Arkwright's card was
lded her.
he remembered that she had not
n thanked him for his protection
IN she had so sadly needed II. She
Id do SO now, as though she were
hiking him for someone else, not her.
I.
,er eyes were dry and fearless; her
eks pale. with the crimson spot
ming them, But. as with the air
bearing of a queen, she entered the
wing room, the man standing there
eceive her, his very heart throbbing
enerous sympathy, suddenly felt his
al ease desert him, and a strange
se Of embarrassment take its place.
Q was prepared TO meet a wronged
injured and unhappy girl; but the
a who held out to him one little