The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-07

the proud old man looked though he
meant it,
Adrian made an appropriate answer, and
turned away.
In spite of Celia and her love, he was, as
was but natural, miserable.
1t was now February, and he had not seen
Mavis since before Christmas.
| AT this moment, in his pocket lay an
impioring, piteous little letter, begging en-
treating him, her husband, to come to her.
1t was directed to his club, the only address
he permitted her to use.
He worried to DEATH he told himself
never rejecting that he had brought it all
upon himself by his weakness and wicked
ness
Suppose Mavis should the announcement
of his approaching marriage in one of those
wretched society journals that grow fat upon
the doings Of the aristocracy, true and I'M
true and came down to Carolin Towers and
there made scene!
| But. no; she would never dare do that
under any circumstances. although she loved
him with love Of which, as we have seen,
he was already tired.
She also feared him.
| She recognized in him her master.
| II the brief time that they had lived
together he had made her understand he
must be obeyed implicitly, and he trusted to
this to help him in the crisis that he saw was
inevitable.
once and for all, before he perjured himself
before Gods altar before he told the great
lie in the sight of Heaven
! Celia sometimes wondered at the uncer-
! ta1nty of his spirits
! She had heard but dimly of the folly and
errors of his youth.
The past-what had she to do with the
past?
Was not the future hers?
! So, alas, had another said before her!
One morning, bright beautiful day, with
a suspicion of spring in the air, Adrian rode
over to Mountjoy Park, early, his
custom, to see what his lady loves will and
Pleasure for the spending of the day
should be.
He had but an hour or two previously,
received letter from Mavis telling him she
was i'll, wretched; would he come?
Even he felt that the hour had arrived
when he must meet the woman he had de-
ceived SO cruelty.
| Darling" he said to Celia and her quick
eyes noted the lines of care about his hand
some mouth; darling, must leave you for
few days-perhaps a week.
He intended if Mavis were tractable-gave
him no trouble, in fact-to give her week;
one short week, out of his whole life to his
wife,!
Can you spare nle?" and he held his
cousin to him fondly.
1T isn't case of can Adrian If you
must CO. you must; but oh! how shall miss
you'll! Celia answered. - "a,
Shall you, my own? God bless you, Celia!
Promise me. sweetest, taat you will never
you with my own lips; no scandal
nothing"
''of course not, Adrian; no one would dare,
to mei' she said, proudly. my husband to
me is beyond reproach," she added.
Then, indeed, did Adrian Carolin feel what
in truth he was-a black-hearted villain!
CHAPTER TX
small, but well-furnished room. bright
lamps, rOSe-Shaded. casting Sl1h6uad IiGbt
on the pretty chintz-covered furniture.
Evidences of refinement and comfort every
where, If not Of extravaganza or wealth.
The room contained one occupant-a woman
and in her we recognize Mavis CAROLYN
changed, indeed, by weeks-nay, monthS+of
weary waiting and watching; but still Mavis.
fair and sweet on that summer day when
she hardened to the fatal words and prom
ises that fell from the lips of the man who,
even now, would betray her still further
He expected.
! All was in readiness.
The excitement of anticipation had given to
the pale cheeks rose tint that rivaIled the
carnation blooms upon the table
Mavis had prepared everything with her
own hands, and she sat awaiting her
lord and master in state Of mind almost
systerical.
ut is getting late. and he had not come.
Martha she said. piteously, to the kind
looking elderly woman whom Adrian had
provided as her sole servant and companion
in the days when the girl was his idol and
his loves
And they had become attached to each
other, these two-so dissimilar in age, and in
. all else.
Martha had been wife herself She knew
the world well-too we'll In her youth she
had married soldier. He had deserted her
years ago. and whether he living or not
she neither knew nor cared. She p1tied Mavis
from her heart. She could read the ending
of her happy dream.