Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-03-20

| i"iCe the hdrQulS nau called upon
Fedora, and on each occasion exerted
himself to fasclnate as he had never
before done in all his life.
Affairs were in this state, and the
Marquis could see the possible tragic
outcome of his systematic assault all
along the line. unless his nerve failed,
or something occurred to break the
stern resolution by which he had
bound himself
A few more visits he believed. would
complete the fascination OF Fedora
harassed by accommodating debts and
made boorish by his troubles il might
be readily assumed that the captain
would be anything but an amiable
companion these days, and the couple,
never having had a genuine love for
each other, would drift further apart.
This would be his opportunity-the
glitter OF his unlimited wealth, to-
gether with the strange hold he had
| upon Fedora by reason of her old
time love, though she herself might not
Know the real cause-these two com
Dined should tempt her to leave the
falling fortunes of the captain and
seek happiness with the man who con
trolled her will.
IL was fiendish revenge, and many
times the marquis cursed himself for
entertaining IL; yet the memory of his
dreadful sufferings drove him back
again with renewed zeal to pick up the
threads of fate where he had dropped
them and so on with feverish eager
ness.
III was only when he thought of
Mazette that he WINGED and grew con-
tused-not for worlds would he ever
have her know what wicked thoughts
struggled with his better nature. and
usually gained the mastery.
One day the marquis. still pursuing
the one object OF his presence in Lon
don at this questionable season Of {
the year, dropped in at the establish
ment of Captain Livermore, resolved |
to play his cards to advantage. since |
a crisis was near.
His quick eye noted signs OF con- |
fusion, and he knew disaster had at |
last fallen upon the captain, who must |
seek cheaper home-yes, evidently
move was contemplated-hi sturdy
blows were beginning to tell and he
should feel a glow of satisfaction in
the region of his heart.
The occasion would be propitious
for his master stroke-surely he
should be able to win her consent
what had she TO consider but a ruined
home and a husband whom she had
welded while loving another?
He offered her unlimited wealth be-
yond the dream of the human mind.
love, and all the attractions the world
can bestow.
Yes, she would yield-he knew how
weak her nature was-had she not
shown 1t when throwing him over for
fortunes smiles?-she had no anchor
such as the safeguard of a husbands
love would throw around her-he felt
assured of this as he did of anything
in his whole life.
When the marquis entered the house
1t was with the confident air of one
who has abundant faith to believe in
the positive success awaiting him-not
such as loses battles.
but the quiet assurance that springs
from a thorough knowledge of the
powers he controls. ,
1t CHANGED, however, that there was Z
0ne thing he had not counted on. a t
matter that might seem OF small con- |
sequence, and yet which must burst
lpon him with appalling force. 4
AS he sat and waited sounds of a '
'ommotion were heard, such as caused r
he marquis to start, turn deadly pale /
md tremble as he had never done {
when bodily danger menaced him c
hen through the open door came I
flashing two little tots, one a golden
laired angel OF three, the other
turdy, black-eyed English lad of four
across the floor they scampered.
traight TO where the American ma
Job sat gripping the sides OF his chair. :,
nd with the assurance some children
ossess. forthwith climbed directly s
pom his knees and took possession. Il
At that moment the fort was nearer II
eing carried by assault than since .
he day its steel buttressed walls had 3
cen first barricaded against the y
orces of sentiment and the holier pas II
ions that come from above; for I'D II
this hour this stern man. bent upon u
lighting his wrongs of the past had W
ever once suspected that Fedora was d.
mother and the knowledge came e!
pom him like a thunderbolt from II
lear sky. W
1t would be almost impossible to st
dequately measure the surprise and fr
)nsternation that overwhelmed the hi
larquis as he sat there and felt the pc
lubby arms of Fedora's little dar- OF
ngs about his neck. "C
II was wonderful what an influence tn
lis new and astounding element had tn
pom him - he was quite dis fiji
med - those chubby hands mon
IS face, the little cooling voice
trusting eyes looked nm
TO his own, exclaiming. "nodo