The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-19


noon l have, while imposing certain reason
able conditions, consented to the marriage of
my sister, Lady Lillian, with Monsieur Rene
Laroque.'
What cried OdiIle. turning quickly
round as if the announcement had electrified
her. Surely l cannot have heard Alright!
My ears must have deceived me. have, of
COURSE n apparent right to interfere, or to
express an opinion, but obliged to speak.
DO you really mean to tell me that you, the
Earl of Roseraye, have even entertained the
idea Of a marriage between your sister, with
her beauty and rank and great fortune, and
beggarly fore gner, of whom you know alb
solutely nothing beyond the fact that his
mother was acquainted with you years ago?
BE warned by me. l have only your sisters
interest at heart. That nan is nothing but
an adventurer and a fortune hunter, and the
racther is as bad They came to this neigh
borhood with the express purpose of trying to
trap Lady Lillian Rene Larouue is hand
some and fascinating, he has succeeded; but
II you knew him as well 1 do you would
rather see your sister in her coffin than mar
red to that man.
May l ask how long you have been ac-
quainted with hm?'
About three years."
Lord Roseray looked startled. His face
lost its color, and his eyes were sombre as a
thunder-cloud. After a moments silence, he
said
Il believe what you say. I do not close my
ears to your warning; but 1 have given my
Wcrd, and unless you tell me frankly all you
know against this man to render him unfit
TO marry my sister l cannot withdraw my
consent. You must accuse him of what he is
guilty, else l must act if you had not
spoken, and I must let things take their
course.
Odille's face was terrible in it's pallor. 1t
was evident that fearful struggle was go
ing on in her mind Several times she
opened her lips but no sound issued At last
however. she acquired some degree of self
control, and said, calmly
f'Sinna fro, T will
speak. I will tell you all-but not now. To-
night, after dinner, IN the drawing room
will accuse him face to face in the presence
of you ALL Heaven knows it will be ter
rible ordeal for me, but will save your sis
ter-at any price!
Lord Roseraye made a step forward. He
was terribly pae-terribly upset.
"Odille,' he said, slowly; your secret has
to do with this MANI"
She was so pale she could not we'll grow
whittier, but her lips trembled; her young,
sweet face looked drawn and old
Yes she said; my secret has to do with
this man-Rene Laroque.'
Your secret, of when you are-ashamed?"
Yes she said ''Oh! don't torture me
now. You shall know all soon; l will hide
nothing, but 1 cannot bear more now 1 have
Just put Heaven behind me, and it has been
SO hard
She swayed little, she caught at a chair.
With one quick step he was at her SIDE
you put this Heaven behind you? Oh, dear
est, trust me now, tell me all now My love
is SO deep, so strong, and girl is given to
Iexaggerate the seriousness Of things. Per-
haps, dear one, 1 should only smile if you
told your secret There is only one thing
II could not forgive-only one thing which
would prevent my praying you to become my
wife, and your secret can't be that"
She moved a little from him.
and that one thing?' she said
His eyes grew full of pain.
Forgive me if I pain you he said. THE
one thing-to know though you are Odille
Theme, Miss Odille Thorne, that some other
man had been to you all that if you became
my wife, should be, your lover your con-
slant companion. All! Odille, say it is not
that"
81 cannot she answered, and with these
words she turned away and went from the
room. and, with groan, Lord Roseraye
buried his face il his hands
CHAPTER VIII.
Dinner passed very much as usual on that
Ieventful evening-the most eventful one of
all in Odilles life. Lady Lillian looked her
loveliest in white satin gown, with pearls in
her hair and round her throat, and in her
hao III iOht uynjo oh 1o1yo