The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-12

WHdl dn eccentric creature you are. can-
not understand what has altered you.
Godfrey smiled pleasantly as he shook
hands.
Il have an appointment which I am bound
to keep" he said. Good evening. madame
In another moment Madame Werner heard
I the sound of retreatng wheels, and he had
gone.
She ground her teeth in sudden frenzy of
passion.
Come, Leonore, the dew is falling, and
wasting your anger over a man who cares
nothing for you? There good fish in
the sea as ever came out of it''
1t was Mrs. Dacre, the companion. who
spoke.
Madame Werner turned angry upon her.
and was about to speak when the door of the
drawing room was thrown open and Philip
Haldane crossed the hall
I happened to be in your neighborhood
and thought 1 would look in. Mrs. Dacre
kindly suggested that I should wait until
your return. Was that Godfrey Davenant's
voice I heard?'
He and Madame Werner returned together
to the drawing room, Mrs. Dacre having re-
tired.
He noted the brilliant color and flashing
eyes with grim amusement
Yes" she said, sullenly, though she was
too much preoccupied to observe her usual
precaution; The offered to see me home.''
He is returning to his old allegiance
think. AS an old friend Of yours, madame,
may 1 hazard a guess! Was not Davenant
one of your most devoted admirers at one
time?''
Il thought so; but your cousin, this insipid
young English miss, has golden attractions,
and Godfrey is not above being a fortune
hunter. But you have no right to question
or surmise, Mr.. Haldane
She flashed a glance at him, half challeng
ing half deprecatory.
Philip drew chair forward for her, and
seated himself near.
He was yondarintr if Aber hostility towards
Davenants fancee could be turned to &C
count
When he took his leave, half an hour later
he and Madame Werner had discovered that
they had an interest in common-a very
strong interest, it would seem, since they
decided for the future, to play into each
others hands
On reaching his chambers, he found several
letters awaiting him, one of which he pounc
ed up and opened with feverish haste.
1t was from Portia Dupres, in which she
begged he would attend her stall at fancy
fair over which she had undertaken to pre-
side.
This enterprise was under distinguished
patronage, and all the elite of fashionable
society were to be present.
f. Philip Haldane was getting deeper and
deeper into debt, for not only was he an
nveterate gambler, but his connection with
Portia Dupres-who herself spent money
with lavish prodigality-was completing the
monetary difficulties which threatened to
overwhelm him.
81 know not which way to turn for my
next hundred pounds, he muttered, dis
tractedy MY adorable Portal How little
she thinks of these things. I should not dare
to speak of or hint at pecuniary difficulties
in her presence. She lives in world of her
own, and when 1 am with her, listening to
her divine voice and looking into her glori-
Gus eyes, 1 feel as though l, too, have been
translated. No, a thousand times no! I
must keep from her all suspicion of disaster;
must not let her guess the hopeless state of
my finances. 1 could not part with her now.
Come what may, she shall be mine. Only
two lives stand between me and Cumnor
Towers-that of an old man with one foot
in the grave; and that of a girl, whose mar
riage with Davenant would effectually put
stop to my hopes of succession. A rent-roll
of eight thousand year! .Portia would
marry me tomorrow were possessed of such
wealth, for she is ambitious she loves jewels
and costly garments, she loves to spend and
squander. Who knows that so well I?'
He paced the room distractedly, a dark
look upon his Satur1!ne face.
EYES, yes, Madame Werner's insane love
and jealousy will help me to the end I have
in view. That woman would commit murder
to prevent Davenant's marriage! 1t is
strange how that one bond of sympathy has
drawn US together!"
He drew out his pocket book, and took
from it card upon which, lightly scrubbed
in pencil, was the address: Ambrose Milford,
Esq, Care of Mrs. Andrews, 140 Desborough
Road Chelsea.
He stood for moment or two lost in
thought, then replacing the card in his
pocket book, he drew out dainty little letter
from his pocket book.
Dear Philip" it ran. my father desires
leaving London. he hopes you will run down
to Bellminster and pay visit. Can you
not come on Saturday next week. and stay a
Gov, ao,,.o You're MADE,T TNJLc,