Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-07-20

than eternal slumber
will you let me pass?" she asked
again. "Otherwise l shall be COM
PEELED to summon my servants to my
assistance
And she stretched her hand toward
tiny bell withia her reach.
"Ring"' he ordered, his lip curling,
Summon your husband here if you
darev'
Without a moments hesitation, she
touched the bell. Immediately it was
answered.
Lord Montfort is in the library" she
said. Twill you ask him to come here
at once?'
"You play bold game, my lady,
interposed Gervase; but you are NOV
ing your own queen to her destruc.
ton"
AS he finished speaking. the young
lord entered the room, glancing from
enc to the other in mute surprise; but
Florence, seeing him, uttered a low
cry as Of terror, and Srrang toward
him.
He threw his arm protectingly about
her, and stroked the sunny hair, as he
hid her face upon his breast.
my dearest, what is it?'' he asked,
tenderly. "What las alarmed you, and
who may this gentleman be!'
"He-he-"
She stopped as if she could say no
more.
Gcrvase looked at the picture before
him with a scornful smile. Was the
man, indeed. so blind, he wondered.
that he fancied he held his wife in his
arms?
"Allow me to introduce myself, Lord
Montfort," he said: and his speech,
though courteous. held a perceptiblc
snccr. Il am Louis Gervase, Who
'Who played the role of traitor to
my wife's sister," interrupted Dalrym-
pie; who enticed an innocent school
girl from her home. and betrayed her
trust by a marriage which some sub
tcrfuge of the law rendered illegal.
All the aftersins the unhappy girl
may have committed rest on your con-
science not OH hers. My Wife has al
ready shed tears of blood for the con-
sequences of your act. Why should
you again force upon her your brutal
presence? Nay. l ask YOU. sir, ut once
to leave my house. and never again to
cross its threshold."'
'YOu will listen to me first, You
Will look at this woman well. Are you
indeed. mad. that you believe her to
be your wife? 1t is Florence Vane,
who has sought to make you her dupe.
1t is Florence Nane who shrinks from
my gaze and hides her face upon your
breast. Bid her raise it. Scan Well
her features, and you Will yield her
your Scorn. not me.'
But Montfort only held closer the
little head while his voice rang OUT,
clear and stern:
''Sir, my patience is exhausted.
Your own perfdy has turned your
brain. True, some likeness existed be-
tween the sisters; but my Dorothy
was gentle. loving, where her sister
was impetuous and naughty Each
bore the impresss of her character w.
on her face. l have listened already
too long to this absurd recital Let it
end here and forever
But if I give YOU proof of my
words? l heard this morning. LORD
Montfort, through your family law
Yer, lnat, at your mothers earnest re-
quest. the ceremony must take place
tomorrow which Will make this wo-
nan indeed. the Wife You suppose her
TO be. Fate has indeed played in her
hands the winnin" card. unless its
strength. which lies in cheating be
exposed in time. Postpone that cere-
mony for twenty -four hours, and I
swear to you that | will prove every
word thar | have Spoken-prove to YOU
that Florence Nane has usurped the
place of your dead wife. Dorothy
AS he finished speaking, Florence
lifted her head.
"Bertic.' she whispered The one
word seemed to ask; Are we all
mad?"
He pressed her closer to his side.
Il Will wait not twenty-folu sec
onds" he replied. This repeated GER
emony is. in any sense. but a farce to
please my mother, who feels she wish
cS to be present at a marriage, which
before took place away from my home;
and though you brought here your So
called proofs and spread them before
my face. would not look at them.
One word more. Monsieur Louis Ger
Vase. If ever again YOU dare intrude
your hated presence upon my wife's
peace. ii viii be the worse for YOU ="
He leaned forward and touched the
bell. "Petcr" he said to the servant
who appeared. show this gentleman
to the door. See that he leaves the
grounds. and give them orders at the
lodge that he shall not again be adj
mi1ted within the park"
4 smile of triumph wreathed Lady
Montfort's lovely mouth. Lord Mont
forts order recalled to her another
scene where he who had received had
given the insult: when she had left
him in the warmth and inner light.
and he had thrust her forth into the
cold and outer darkness. Did he, too,
remember:
His face grew livid: but he drew
himself to his full height and strobe
to the door. Then he turned.
Take Your short triumph, my lady"
he Snrerrd. "lou and l shall meet
again. when the mask YOU wear to-day
shall be torn from Your face. and the
man on whose breast You now conceal
its beauty will turn from ii in as great
lGathing. as he would turn from mine
should ! let his eyes rest upon the i'm
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