Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-03-22


piled, "Sir Hubert Estmcre, I am the
Duchess of Bayard."
Speak to me-" he cried, whoever you
may be now. You have been Irene Oar
cy, and so can never be stranger to
me-"
There is no greater stranger to you
than am" she said.
lie thought she was rising to go away,
and with eager carelcssness laid his hand
on her arm as though to detain her. In
one moment he saw his mistake; she had
flung 1t from her as though 1t had been
the poison sting of an adder. Her face
grew deadly pale with anger: she trem-
blcd with indigna ton that he should dare
to lay even one finger on her.
81 beg you to forgive me-" he said. II
crave your pardon"
''Be careful that you do not repeat the
offcnsc." she said. impcriously.
Irene" he repeated. "for heavens
sake do not drive me mad. | would not
have presumed to touch you but that l
was afraid you were going to leave me.
DO you think have no heart. no feel
ingy'
Nothing could have been more proud,
or still, or contcmptuous than that beau
tiful face. She made no answer.
do you think" he cried, that can
forgetY
Then she spoke.
There can he nothing to remember,
nothing to forget" she said calmly. You
are Sir Hubert Estmere of the Mere;
l am the Duchess of Bayard. There can
be nothing in common between u.s.
"You cannot forget; you must, you
shall remember" he cried.
Then she opened her beautiful eyes
quite wide and looked at his with su-
prcme contempt.
ut would be well for YOU" she said.
many things, and. above all, I remember
my vow."
"Your vow! What VOW" he asked.
"My vow VI vengeance" she said. II
made 1t, and shall keep it-let 1t be a
long time or a short time before the OPP
portunity comes. do not care-l shall
keep 1t to the end"
"Your vow against mc-of vengeance
against met" he said.
"Ycs, my vow of vengeance against
you." she repeated.
He drew back little, as though he did
not like the words.
1T is best us 1t Is. do not see any
occasion for melodrama Of any kind" he
said. "YOu could not ask for a more
brilliant lot In life than you have now,
could you. In all fair dealing, Irene? I
must speak frankly to you. and | pray
you most humbly to listen. You see that
our family and the house Of Bayard are
on the most friendly terms. l heard Of
the dukes marriage, but I need not tell
you that in my widest dreams I could
never guess who the duchess was. have
thought Of you thousand times each
day. Irene, but my thoughts were all
fears. II I had known that you were
the dukes wife I should not have come.
You see the position IL an awkward one
for me, unless you are kind enough to en-.
tighten me-"
II do not see that you have any posi-.
ton to MENTION she said. haughtily.
IIc was In a fever OF Impotence and
| suspense.
"Oh. Irene. do not triae with me; can
| III bear suspense. Tell me in one word,
does the duke know your story?'
| II cannot see how that interests you
| Sir Hubert" she replied.
| ut interests me this much" he said
that IL he knows II | leave the house
tonight never to re-cnter 1t. and thai
| there will be bitter war between u.s."
She looked ut him with angry indigna.
| tion.
DO you suppose for one moment" she
said. that IL that honorable. loyal gen.
ilcman whom l call my husband knew
your real character he would allow you
| To cross his threshOldW
| "There are worse characters than
mine," he said. sullenly.
Il think not, Sir Hubert. A trnito,
ranks with a spy. and YOU are the very
king OF traitors"
"Iou are very kind" he answered, hi,
handsome face growing pale with anger
She looked at him from head to foot
with one of the long. lingering, cOntemp
lash Of whip.
AS though | could speak kindly to you
u vile traitor" she said.
Irene, | will try to be patient. YOU
are tOrturing me rs a cat tOrtures Il
mouse. viii you tell me II the duke
knows the story OF what you call my
fraud!"
"Yes," she answered; ''he knows the
story. ! did not keep one detail from
him; ! did not excuse myself or others
| told him the simple, unvarnished
TRUTH" she replied.
Did You tell him my name, or give
him any clew by which he could know
III" he asked.
"NO. I did not" was the brief reply.
"WOuld you mind telling me what HI
saidy asked Sir Hubert, gravely.
| lie began To have some kind OF idea
that danger was In store for him.
II will tell you with pleasure" she
answered. "IIc asked me your name
and declined to tell him. lie said that
he should be quite sure to lind 1t out, and
when that happened he would never res
until he had set his foot on the traitors
face"
We'll" said Sir Hubert, with a faint
attempt at Il sneer. ut seems to mi
that am likely to have lively time OF
It. But rs am no coward do not fear
What do you threaten me with, Irene?
1T would please me IL you would try
to remember that my title Is Duchess OF
Bayard," she said, imperiously. 81
threaten you with nothing. | owe yOl
my vengeance
And again a certain expression of anx
iety crossed his face. He did not like tn,
| fronuont rrnptitiOn of tho word "yen