The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1903-12-19
Barbara bretton's y
~~Ambition~~ /

heafC at MS 1eet, to be trampled be-
meath his tread. Yet, fool! fool! have
not learned to love again-one who
has heard the worlds story of my
wrong, and gives it credence? But
for this" drawing within the beauti-
full fingers the lock of hair, II might
tell him all; but for this might plead
with. him to save me from myself! I
was mad was mad! God cannot
lay this sin at my door! My baby!
my baby! They say murdered you,
but they tell what is false!"
Madam, did you speak,"
1t was Feline, the valet, who inter-
rupted her, her fingers still toying
with the tress OF hair.
Like lioness at bay she sprang to
her feet.
"No! How dare you enter at this
hour?''
Pardon, madam! 1t is o'clock.
heard your voice and feared you were
ILL.,"
Never mind, Feline, do not mind.
Was but startled for the moment. l
am not sorry you came. l wanted to
speak with you. How many years
have you been in my service, Feline"
"Twelve years, madam. trust you
are not thinking of my dismissal?"
mo; on the contrary it occurred to
me 1 should in some way reward your
faithful service; but first l must go
back to the past, which, from tonight,
even in memory, is to be forever bur-
led. My child was how old when I re-
ceived from monsieur the letter which
made me so long ill.,"
"Three months, madam
$50 I thought, but my brain reels.
And from the day of my illness the
child was never seem"
Never, madam, alive Its dead body
was discovered en- the steps of La
Madelaine.' We recognized it by the
clothes it wore. The physicians said
it died from exposure. How the child
was taken from it's warm bed is mys-
terry. The French girl madam had ell
gagged with it, it is true; butt she had
no motive for such a crime"
Enough, Feline, wished merely to
refresh my memory with the facts.
Here but few know of my story and
the bitter suspicion which at that time
attached to me. Tomorrow night I
am to oe married quietly at home.
Marie. The ceremony will take place
at midnight. See to it that the clergy
man holds himself in readiness. In
this envelope is his fee, to be paid him
in advance. It will be sufficient 20
compensate him for the loss of a few
hours sleep. Tomorrow I am to be
denied to all visitors, without excep.
ton. Now leave me. In ten minutes
you may return, 10 make ready for the
night
Not a culver Of surprise on the
trained face expressed the servants
establishment at the facts. With a
low bow, he withdrew, and, as the
door closed nolselcssly behind him, the
actress threw herself once again back
in her chair, an expression of acute
suffering sweeping across the beauti-
full face.
he, too, suspect me? Does he not
know the story of the unnatural moth
err. with which the newspapers rang,
which, lad they proof, would have Ion
signed me to the felon's cell?, And
yet she was a girl Was to dover
Ter with heritage of shame-to know
her. as l had teen-the victim Of
mans deceit and treachery? No-a
thousand times no! But what have !
to do with this?" looking down at the
curl still twisted in her hand-with
this, that I clipped from that sunny
head of golden hair? Is not each hair
twisted about my heart, till it's life
beat almost ceases? Let this die witt,
the rest. Ashes to ashes,'" falling
upon her knees and laying the little
curl almost reyerently upon the Goals
Then, with a sudden movement, as
it fame up, She tried TO save it; out
too late. The dry sob which echoed
through the room was it's reduiem.
With face strangely hardened
with eyes from which all tenderness
had died, she rose to her feet and 81
lently placed the one letter she had
saved, together with the false certifi
cate, back in the box, then crossed thu
floor to deposit it again in its hiding
place.
Standing erect, her eyes swept tho
room. She looked like queen, whose
subjects knealt at her feet to do he1
homage Her beauty shone forth peer
less, triumphant, as, bowling low, with
matchless grace, she said aloud:
my past, farewell! My future,
salute you!"
CHAPTER ".