Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-08-30
CHAPTER y.-(Continued. J

Clelands height, but more slender in
build, with the erect bearing Of a SOL
der. His hair, of light brown. was
cropped short; his face, though regu-
lar enough in features, was not a
pleasant one. The cold, hard blue
eyes, straight, narrow mouth and
. sharp chin, gave it an expression
which made many people declare 1T
was better to give Paul Reyburn a
wide berth"
He shook hands with his hostess,
and an unpleasant expression drew
his brows together as he glanced at
Cleland, then acknowledged the 9TH
er's salutation with curt bow.
LET me give you cup of tea, Ma
jo1," said the lady of the house pres
emily. She poured it out and Rayburn
watched her, passionate expression
in his cold eyes, as they devoured her
face. ANY more news from Atbara?'
she asked, as she handed him the
. dainty little cup, skilfully evading the
touch of his fingers.
Just what we expected. The der
wishes are gathering fast and furious
ly. / expect we may receive march
ing orders any day." said Rayburn.
Let them come. / don't care, for my
part, how soon."
In a few minutes Cleland rose to
take his leave. Mrs. Breynton and
Rayburn were alone.
rs that fellow your shadow" the
latter asked, suddenly turning to his
hostess, who had parted from Cleland
at the room door. "He is with you
everywhere now. wonder what he
thinks he is?'
"A gentleman" answered Mrs
Breynton, quietly, though little
CLEAN came into her soft eyes. Il am
afraid you have forgotten you are
one, Major Rayburn. / am not accus-
toned to that tone from those who lay
claim to the title
II beg your pardon" said Rayburn
half sullenly, half passionately. He
placed his cup on little table near
and, coming to Mrs. Breynton's side
suddenly knelt at her feet, and put
his lips to the lace which hung over
her delicate waist. You have made
me mad-mad! / love you with pas
sion that will not let me rest night OF
day! Every moment / am away from
you / feel as if there were a chain Of
iron about my feet dragging me back
1t makes me furious when I see an
other man near you, touching your
hand, and you smiling upon him, as
you smile on Cleland!"
The beautiful face hardened and
grew paler at the last words.
Major Rayburn, have told you be.
fore that l have no love to give you
that We can never, by any possibility
be more to each other than friends
Why do you persistently introduce the
subject, and prosecute me with your
entreaties? You must know that il
pains me, and that it cannot do your,
self any good. Let me repeat once
more what have already told you.
do not and never can love you; it is
impossible now and forever"
"Then there is someone who makes
1t impossible?" exclaimed Rayburn
with sudden fierceness. He caught her
wrist in a strong grasp, and his cold
eyes, now burning with a fierce light
tried to read the depths of hers. You
love some one else! You cannot deny
IT." he exclaimed, hoarsely.
why should l acknowledge or deny
It to you, Major Rayburn?" said AID
rienne, with cold displeasure "You
have absolutely no claim on me that
you should demand my confidence. II
you cannot be content with what
have to give you, then the only other
possible footing for us is that of COM
plete strangers"
Yes, you can throw me over like
that, calmly telling me we can be
complete strangers to each other
while you know that my very life is
in your hands," exclaimed Rayburn
hoarsely. "You were friendly enough
with me once-you can't deny that
1t is that"-he checked himself as he
was just about to utter fierce oath
that fellow who-ha just left to whom
/ am indebted for this. But, by Heav-
en-! | will show him he cannot cross
my path with impunity! He does not
know the kind of man he has to reck-
on with"
Major Rayburn, you go beyond all
bounds!" exclaimed Adrienne. She
rose from her seat, her face deathly
pale, and put her hand on the bell
pull. after this l do not see how we
can be anything but strangers to each
other" she said, coldly. Il am not in
the habit of counting among my
friends those who utter threats OF
that kind in my presence"
She had pulled the bell before she
had finished speaking. Rayburn stood
before her, cold grey hue spreading
slowly over his face, an expression in
his eyes that might have vaguely
alarmed Adrienne had she seen it, but
she did not.
When the servant appeared she
said quietly:
See Major Rayburn to the door
Mahomed." And the native servant
bowling low, held the door open for the
"Excellency."
Rayburn turned away with a bow
almost as low as Mahomed's. At the
door he turned for moment.
'Good-by," he said in the same
hoarse tones. Whatever may happen
after this, you will have the satisfac-
ton of knowing you have driven me
to it,"
Adrienne made no answer, merely
bowling slightly as she made a gesture
with her hand to Mahomed, indicating
that he was to go.