Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-10-20
CHAPTER NXti.-,Continued.)

OfhCCrs were vIsltlnR there. Hwy ~ "'
voted the Hunt Ball decided bore;
but when they saw Lady Chcvenix the!
thought differently. Shc was worth com.
ing many miles TO sec. they declared: ana
she was soon surrounded by crowd VI
admirers.
Half the evening had passed. and she
had exchanged no word with Felix. res
emily chance brought them almost SIDE ny
side In a quadrile. Hc bowed and spoke
70 her. She could not help the feeling
Of relief that came over her. Womb ne
ask her to dance! She gave him the OPP
portunity. hut he did not take i. lie
never even thought ~ II. He had taken
his farewell of those false hands-Ea
wonld touch them no more.
When she went TO partake OF an ice
with Mai. Morrison she saw her husband
standing by the buffet. lie was holding
a tumblcr In his hand. and she could tell
hy his face that he had drank too much.
Her heart almost stopped beating. What
should she do IL there was II scene hcrcf
She went IN to Sir Owen and laid her
hand upon his arm.
1--WE have had a very pleasant even
ing" she said-hcr poor lips were white
with fear.
II am tired" she said. trembling in cv.
cry nerve: "and IL you will. Sir Owen,
l should like to go home"
~ shall not go home yet" he said.
"Go back to your dancing. When l am
ready. / shall send for you.'
She dared not ,lisobcy him. She went
back to the ballroom, n deadly fear nest
ling In her heart. She read contempt
for her husband and pity for herself III
the eyes of Mai. Morrison. lie made no
allision TO the scene. nor did she: hut
when the dance was ended she asked hin,
TO take her bnck TO the same spot. When
she reached II Sir Owen was gone.
Felix had been to escort lady Ma,ide
to her carriage--thc party from Brambcr
retired carly--and rs he was returning
he saw Sir Owen assisted into his car.
rage. Sir Owen called TO him.
"Air. I.onsdnle.' he said in u thick
voice, twill you take II message TO Lady
Chcvcnix from me! Tell her that she
did not choose to come when ! sent for
her, and that now she may get home as
she can: she may walk through the mud
II she likes
"Stop. Sir Owen" cried Felix.
But. with great dignity and fcroc!'y
mingled. Sir Owen shouted, "llome" and
the horses started on rapidly, leaving
Felix angry and full Of wonder.
At first he thought it must he u jest
no one could trent u young wife 40 bar
barously, SO cruelly-and he half expect
I'd the carriage to return; but IL did not.
and there was nothing left for him nut
TO make the hest of his message. He
went back 20 the ballroom.
Lady Chevcnix." he said. Il have
something ! wish to say to you"
She turned eagerly to him. aud the
light that came over her lace caused him
keen pain. She rose from her seat. dis
missed her train Of admirers with u
quecnly smile and bow, and laid her hand
upon his arm. II the touch of the little
hand made him ,rcinble she was not
aware of 1t. They walked through the
crowded ballroom until they came TO II
small recess ut the end Of IT,; then she
raised her face to his.
"You wanted to speak TO me-" she said.
II shall bc happy TO listen"
She decided that he had come 10 tell
her that he would like to be better
friends with her. Her limpid eyes were
filed with light rs she waited eagerly.
II am afraid II IL not u very agreeable
subject" he began. '"rhe truth IL. Lady
ChcvcniX, Sir Owen has gone home, after
intrusting to me message SO brusque
and abrupt that ! do not like to deliver
It,"
Prouder and older grew the fair face,
yet into 1t there came, he saw. Il shadow
Of fear.
"Gone home," she repeated, land lief,
me here!"
II am sure there has been u mistake q
he said. "Sir Owen wished mo to say
that he had sent for YOU, and--and thu,
a. YOU did not come he had gone home
without you"
but he will send the carriage back FOL
mey' she interrupted.
II am afraid not" he replied. but
would rather not repeat his words. an
sure the carriage will not return
"And he sent his message by YOU" sh.
cried--"by YOU Of all men,"
II am sorry to have had to deliver II
but l had no alternative" he replied
"May ! advise you, Lndy Chevenix."
III you please" she replied.
'.,rhcn ] should counsel You 10 return
home at once and before anyone hu'
time to notice Sir Owens absence--it vii
save SO many unpleasant remarks.
will order a carriage, and no one ncet
know for whom it is intended"
"Thank you." she said, gently; "iha
will be best. ] will 80 to the cloak room
at once"
She did so, and few minutes after
ward she stood, with her opera cloal
around her, waiting for him.
1.-The carriage Is ready, Indy Chcve
Nix" he said; "allow me-" lie Openr,
the door for her, and stood waiting unit
she had taken her seat
She looked at him, and her eyes fillc'
with tears.
Felix" she said, twill you accompan!
me home? ! would not ask you but iha
am frightened. l nm indeed. dar,
not 20 alone"
He hesitated for half minute, an'
then he said to himself that he must no
think that she was Violet Haye or Lad.
Chevenix; she was simply woman II
distress. and it was his duty to help her
II will accompany you, Lady Cheve
Nix" he said.
They spoke but little during the jour
ncy, and Felix was glad when the car
riage reached Garswood.
"You will come in with mei' said Lad
Chevenlx; and, seeing the white, fright
ened face, he would have done anythn
to help her.
He was thankful that he had consent
ed, for Sir Owen had worked himself int
state Of uncomfortable anger. lie wa
in the drawing room, and when the pal
woman entered he launched u volley @
furious oaths at her. She made no repl!
hut AoA tha EaltN st..x<