The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-08-18

have needed to stoop to such . sin. I DON'T
/ regret what I have done. I'd do II again
II I had my choice still to make; but I can't
| forget I've done that which makes me MOTH
ing better than a thief. i. Nina BelIairs,
' shall never be able to hold up my head
| again"
| She refused herself to all callers. She
| never entered any house except her own.
Sometimes she might be seen driving with "
her three younger children. but no one
round Kingswood had heard her voice since
the blow fell upon her. 1t was as though
! she would fain be alone with her misery.
1T will be different when her daughters
come back for the holidays" DIR. James
told his wife. Then she must rouse her
self"
II never thought lad Bellairs had 80
much heart said Mrs. James penitently.
She never seemed to care 20 very much
for her husband I suppose those proud.
reserved natures hide their feelings"
And then. the day before Barbara anG hes
sister were expected home. Jenner came to
his mistress with q very worried face.
Il beg your pardon. my lady. but q gen.
teman has called on business. told him
you saw no one. and he had better go TO
Mr.. Baxter in London. or the agent hera
but he says nc one but you will do
II cannot see him. Jenner."
II has come all the way from London.
my lady" Jennsr explained. He saws he
II an old friend Of the m~aster's-that he
knew him years before he came in Cor
Kingswood."
Did he give his manner"
Yes. James Payne"
Lady Bellairs forgot her iron VIII For
one moment she dropped her mask. AMI Ie.
the haunting anxiety she felt show itsels on
her face
James Payns.-of course. she knew the
name: II was one Of the signatures on q slip
OF paper she longed with all her heart to
burn. but which some touch Of superstition
Kept her from committing to the flames
James Payne!
Only an instant did she forget her mask.
one moment she let her hearts anguish and
terror appear on her face. the next she
had recovered herself.
Sir John suffered great p~ecuniary en-
barrassments before he came IN for the
title and his estate" she said quietly.
VERY possibly this Mr.. Payne knew him
IN those days. and thinks 10 may have been
remembered In the will. I had better see
him. Jenner: then II will be over
Shall I show him into the Craving
room. my lady,
mo. I will ses him hera"
She had two minutes. not more, to COM
pose herself, and then Jenner ushered In q
portiy. middle-aged man, with q shrewd.
rather clever face. and very plausible man
ners. Anyone less like q blackmaisr IL
would have been hard to IMAGINE. LADY
Bellairs felt relieved.
Il never heard Sir John speak Of you.
Mr.. Payns." she began hauehtiiy, and I
do not go what business you oan possibly
have with me. I must ask you to Be brief.
- my time 70 valuable"
Il viii b brsvity itself, LAZY Bellsira
For the last nineteen years Jour husband
paid me . hundred pounds svery qua-ter for
services rendered I wish to know IL II IN
your intention to continue that aIlovance7.
Certainly not; my own ~jointurs ID only4
nve hundred. Why should I pay four-nfths
OF II to . stranger whose sole claim d thatf
he knew my husbandf How am I to know
you have not invented the whole storyr'
Nj. Payne smiled . little cynically.
Possibly Sir John kept accounta or hys
bankers passbook might b forthcoming.
You will dnd the quarterly PAYMENT duly
entered IN that A 10 the nature Of the
service I rendered your husband. I can tell
II you In four words-I held my tpnsua"
And I An perfectly sure By your manner
that you understand on what subject, and
that n II to your advantage that I ahouId
still maintain silence.
LAZY Bellairs WINGED
I consider you insulting. Ar yeu swaO
i could give you into custody on q charge
OF trying to levy blackmail On msr'
= doubt your power. Lady Bsllain Anr-
way. I am positive you win not make tie
attempt I am not Q blackmailsr. Some
nineteen years ago Sir Job -.--,-~ . bar
gain with me- He asksd what price I pus
on my ~silencss I told him -four hundred q
year. The compact vas made on the spot
and loyalty kept By ~ BOTH
Death brsaks an eontraceas M ra6y
DsllairA
"Just -" returned James rAynA ss
tAsfsforS I am here 10 ash n you wish IN
the arrangement I made WIN your \
husband."
"And pay you four hundred Q Year,
And pay me . hundred pounds Q quar-.
ter" he corrected. II should not hana m.
self to silencs for any longer period. Too
and I are strangers. IN the agreement
might not work amicabiy.-
why should I bug your silsncsrs shs
asked In . low. hissing vsios. 'Tns-ths
the dissrscs may have been r..
That's rathse . hard nams for n" saia
James Payn& "But an the Same. Lady
I can assure you you are mis-
She looked a him ksniy.
Can you prove isr'
'Onl % far that I saw ths-SAs psrsus
you alluds to yesterday"
And II I PAY the money-this sxtortonr
ate ~demand-you win be true to mers
He smiled. James Payns's facs was noo
pleasant when he smiled
Il kept my bargain with your Husband
Tor nineteen years." he said colby. Tt -
hardly likely I shall break q three month";
with yourself. You can give me
he hundred pounds due At midsummer. and
rou may feel perfectly safe until Michael
"And thenr'
He shrussed his shouidera .
Il have . large family. and. Of course.
bound to consult their interests, bua
rou may feel certain while I take your
! shall Keep silence"
Lady Bsllaifs looked very white and,
'haken whom her visitor had departed. n