Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-02-01
CHAPTER v.-(Continued.)


Her maneuyer. however, was not des-
tined to succeed. Before she could work
her way half way through the crush to
the door the man whom she was bent
upon avoiding turned around and saw
her. A look of glad recognition flashed
into his face, and he instantly left Lady
Kynaston's side and came across the
room to speak to her.
This is an unlooked-for pleasure, ma
dame
II certainly never expected to meet
you here, Monsieur d'Arblet," faltered
Helen.
"Will you not come and have little
conversation with me?"
Il was just going away"
$50 soon! Then / will take you to
your carriage" He held out his arm,
and Helen was perforce obliged to take
it.
There was little delay in the hall,
while Helen waited for her, or rather for
her grandfather's carriage, during which
she stood with her hand upon her un7
welcome friends arm. While they were
waiting he whispered something eagerly
in her ear.
"No, no; it is impossible" reiterated
Will dppdlCAL OASIASSS'
NJ. d'Arblet whispered something more
Very well, if you insist upon it!' she
said, family, and then got into her car
riage and was driven away.
Before, however, she had left Walpole
Lodge five minutes she called out to the
servants to stop the carriage. The foot
man descended from the box and came
round to the window.
L I~xy% hA ci1 of q
long wall quite beyond the crowd of car
riages that was waiting at Lady kynas-
tons house.
Il want to wait here few minutes,
for-for a gentleman I am going to take
back to town." she said to the servant
econfusedly She was amazed to give such
an order to him. She was frightened,
too, and trembled with nervousness lest
anyone should see her waiting here.
1t was a cold, damp night, and Helen
shivered, and drew her fur cloak closer
about her in the darkness. Presently
there came footsteps along the pathway,
land man came through the fog up to
the door. 1t was opened for him IN 81
lence, and he got in, and the carriage
drove off again.
M. lie Vicomte d'Arblet had mean,
cunning looking countenance; strictly
speaking, indeed, he was rather hand
some. his features being decidedly we'll
shaped but the evil and vindictive ex-
preston of his face made it an unpleas-
ant one to look upon. AS he took his
seat in the brougham by Helen's side she
shrank instinctively away from him.
$50, ma mie!' he said, peering down
into her face with odious familiarity,
G. oftor oil thiC fImp
beautiful as ever"
Monsieur d'Arblet, pray understand
that nothing but absolute necessity
would have induced me to drive you
home tonight" said Helen, wins trem-
bling violently.
You are not polite, ma BELLE"
You know very we'll why it is that l
am obliged to speak to you alone" she
interrupted, coloring holly under his bold
looks of admiration. Monsieur she
cried. almost in tears, pray listen to
me; for PHYS sake tell me what you
have done with my letters-have you de-
stroyed them?"
DESTROYED them! What, those dear
letters that are so precious to my heart?
Ahs madame, could you believe it Of
,me?''
You have kept them?' she murmured
family. :.
Every one-every single one of them, .
he repeated, looking at her meaningiy.
with cold glitter in his black eyes.
Not that-that one?" pleaded Helen,
piteously.
'.Yes-that one too-that charming and
delightful letter in which you so gener-
ously offered to throw yourself upon my
L. ha~
.'Alas, only too well!' she murmured,
hiding her face in her hands.
..Ahw he continued, with sort of
relish in torturing her, which resembled
the feline cruelty of wild beast playing
with its prey. "Ah! it was delightful
letter. that; what pity it was that I
was out of Paris that night, and never
received it till, alas! it was too late to
rush to your side. You remember how
it was. do you not? Your husband was
lying i'll at your hotel; you were very
tired of him, and had been often to see
you when he was out, and had taken
you to the theater-do you remember?"
.'Ah, for heavens sake, spare me these
horrible "reminiscences" cried Helen, de-
spairingly. Monsieur d'Arblet, if you
have one spark of honor or of gentleman
like feeling, you will give me those mad,
foolish letters again. | entreat you to
do so. You know that was beside my
self when / wrote them. I was so I'M
happy-do you not see that they compro-
mise me fatally; that it is my good name,
my reputation, which are at stake?" In
her agony she had half sank at his feet
on the floor of the carriage, clasping her
hands entreatingly together.
NJ d'Arblet raised her with empress
meut.
All, madame, do not thus humiliate
yourself at my feet. Why should you be
i afraidf Are not your good name and
your reputation safe in my hands 2"
Helen burst into bitter tears.
How cruel, how wicked you are.' she
cried; '.no Englishman would treat a
lady in this way"
..Englishmen are fools, ma chere-and
IL am French!' he replied, Struggling
his shoulders expressively.
He bent his face down close to hers.
III 7 ali 81 hill IT,