Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-09-27


bent her head that the servant nigh,
not see her sudden pallor.
"No answer, Andrew" she said.
She had not the strength to break the
seal with any eve upon her.
AS the man withdrew she cast one
quick, covert glance at the inscription
and then a strong shudder. almost 8
CONFUSION. shook her frame.
She held the paper as If 1t were q
snake and possessed of fangs or sting
Tom Window had returned, and, like
the leech, only her heart-blood could
satisfy him. She forced herself to un-
fold the sheet and master its contents
81 have returned, my lady," were Its
opening words, land I want a few
words with you. face to face. I need
not tell you, luck has been against me.
Perhaps you've guessed that. But do
you know, wasn't more than half-sor-
ry, for I've sort of hankering to see
you again; to look into your eyes and
hear your voice. 1t reads like love-
letter, don't it? Well, I'd rather make
love than write it. I'll be in the square
where I met you first, this evening at s
o'clock; but if the nights too stormy,
and you're too fine a lady to venture
out alone, don't disturb yourself. I'll
wait for you half an hour and then I'll
call on you in your fine house, and you
car introduce me to your husband.
Remember, I wait for you just one
half. hour"
The paper dropped from her nerveless
hands. 1t had no signature. 1t needed
none. It was signed and stamped with
the seal of the past, and from its dread
message there was no appeal.
The foe to her peace had returned.
The money she had given to buy his
silence already was exhausted; or, at
least, he made it the pretense to come
back and torture her. All, he loved 1t
we'll! He had seen her writhe ere this
on the wheel of agony to which he had
bound her. and o-night-to-night he
again would have his triumph.
She cast his message from her into
the very heart of the glowing fire. 1t
seemed to her the flames laughed as
they consumed it-laughed as though
they, too, Knocked her-wondering if
power to destroy the message, she
could, any the less, refuse to remember
and obey it.
Mechanically, she glanced at her
watch-a pretty toy hanging at her
side, another gift from her husband.
81 can't go-I can't" she said aloud.
And, burying her face in her hands,
she swayed to and fro in the blindness
Of her fear, and passion and misery.
The momentary distrust did her good.
She rose, and, standing before the
mirror, pushed her hair back from her
temples, and forced her eyes and lips to
smile at her reflection. Still, it was a
very white and haggard face that met
her husbands eyes as he entered the
room a moment later, closely followed
by Grace. leaning fondly on her guard
ians arm.
My head aches" she said in answer
to his tender inquiry. IT need rest,
perhaps. after all our gayety. Good
night" she called gayly, as dinner end
ed.
They had all returned to the library,
and drew their chairs before the fire.
st do not think shall be missed. and
I am going to my own room. NO. Har-
ry," as he rose from his chair to fol-
low her. ''you are not to come. At 10
o'clock you may knock, very family, at
nv door, and if I do not answer, you
may know that am sleeping off this
wretched pain. Goodnight" And she
was gone.
The clock was striking as she hast
ened up the stairs. There was, indeed,
no time to be lost. If she and Tom
Window should fail to meet, what
would be the result?
With trembling hands she threw her
cloak about her and fastened her hat
under her chin; then she tied thick
veil over her face, and, drawing on her
gloves, hurriedly descended back
stairway, first taking the precaution to
lock her chamber door and drop the
key into her pocket. By a side door,
opening into the garden, she gained the
outer air. What excuse to make II her
absence was discovered she had not
thought. The dread of the present
strained every faculty to it's utmost
tension.
She raised her umbrella, but the wind
forbade it's use. She was compelled to
lower it and brave the wind and rain,
debarred even of it's poor protection.
The latter beat upon her; the wind
blew so fercely in her face that she
seemed to make no Roadway against
it. Every minute was so precious,
since it might mark the limit to the pa
thence of the man who awaited her
cothitlg.
At last the square was reached. She
entered and fastened to the appointed
spot. For the moment she fancied it
deserted. Merciful heaven! was she,
indeed, too late? Had she and Tom
Window passed each other in the dark
ness? Was he, even now, hurrying to
the house, whose doors, after his story
should be told, would forever be barred
against her?
She sank in utter exhaustion, upon a
seat, when a coarse laugh close at hand
dissipated the last awful fear which
had tortured her.
A form strobe out from the shadow
of tree, whose bare branches soughed
in the blast; but for once, her torment
or was almost welcome sight.
Give minutes more, my lady, ana
you'd have been too late. Five min
utes more, and I'd have been on my
way to call on you. All, Tom Window
doesn't give many idle threats. Per-
haps you've learned that much"
"Nayor mind what YOU would have