Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1900-09-27

the envelope from the tray; but she
b.yi her head that the servant might
not see her sudden pallor.
mo answer. Andrew" she said,
She had not the strength to break the
seal with any eve upon her.
As the man withdrew she cast ONT
quick. covert glance at the inscription,
and then strong shudder, almost a
convulsion. shook her frame.
She held the paper as II IL were a
snake and possessed of fangs or sting.
Tom Window had returned, and, Ike
the leech. only her heart-blood could
satisfy him. She forced herself to un-
fold the sheet and master it's contents.
Il have returned. my lady" were Its
opening words. and 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, 7 wasn't more than half-sor-
ry. for I'VE sort of hankering to see
yoI again; to look into your eyes and
hear your voice. II reads like a love-
letter, don't It? Well, I'd rather make
love than write it. I'll be in the square
where met you first. this evening at
O'Clock; but IL 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 nervelass
hands. 1t had no signature. 1t needed
none. 1t 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 1t the pretense to come
back and torture her. All. he loved II
well! He had seen her writhe ere this
on the wheel Of agony to which he had
bound her. and might 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 Remembering II
she fancied. because she had the poor
power to destroy the message, she
could any the less, refuse to remember
and obey II.
Mechanically. she glanced at her
watch--a pretty toy hanging at her
side. another gift from her husband.
II 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
and forced her eyes and lips to
smile at her reflection. Still, II was
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
ian's arm.
My head aches" she said. In answer
to his tender inquiry. Il 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.
II 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
my door, and IL 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
gloy es, hurriedly descended back
stairway, first taking the precaution to
lock her chamber door and drop the
key into her pocket. BY side door,
opening into the garden. she gained the
outer air. What excuse to make IL her
absence was discovered she had not
thought. The dread Of the present
strained every faculty to its utmost
She raised her umbrella, but the wind
forbade its 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
p+lt 40
seemed to make no headway against.
it. Every minute was so precious,
since it might mark the limit to the pa
thence. of the man who awaited her
coming. 1892 N E,
At last the square was reached. She
entered and FASTENED to the appointed
spot. For the moment she fancied 1t
deserted. Merciful heaven. was she,
indeed. too late? Had she and Tom
Window passed each other in the dark
ness? Was he, even now, hurryins to
the house, whose doors. after his story
should be told, would forever he barred
against her? -.
She sank in utter exhaustion, upon
seat. when a coarse laugh close at hand
dissipated the last awful fear which
had tortured her.
A form strode out from the shadow
of a tree, whose bare branches soughed
In the blast: but for once, her torment
or was almost a welcome sight.
Five 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-