Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-07-16
CHAPTER TX.
A Thrilling Interview.

tie French clock on the mantel an
nounced the hour OF noon. and ere it's
last echo had died away the door Of
Barbara Bretton's boudoir noiselessly
opened, as Feline noiselessly entered,
bearing Ia his hand Milton Lennox's
card.
Il will see the gentleman here" she
assented. languidly; "and. Felix, II
DR.. Hayes calls. desire him to return
in an hour"
The valet bowed and withdrew. One
glance. she took about the room, then,
secure from preying eyes. she pressed
her lips passionately upon the soulless
piece Of pasteboard her servan had
Just handed her.
What could have brought him, by
appointment, az this early hour? Could
Travis have betrayed her secret?
Even SO. was she not secure az any
cost? and 20 see him. was 1t not hap
piness enough without stopping to
measure the why and wherefore?"
Monsieur Lennoxi"
Feiine's perfectly trained tones thus
announced her visitor.
One moment Lennox stood on the
threshold of that exquisitely dainty
room. his eyes resting ~speIIbound en-
the central figure
Over a robe OF blue she wore a gar
ment OF sheerest lace. whole. but halr.
defining her perfect form: a foot fault
less fn shape with It's tiny slipper aid
azure siiken dress haIf-peeped from
beneath It's hem. Her lips parted In a
smile Of welcome; one little hand lay,
white and soft. upon the cushioned
arm of her chair. What wonder that
she reigned queen royal oyer mens
hearts!
But she had slain his friend--it vas
this sudden thought which chased
away the momentary softening from
Milton Lennoxis face. and brought tho
stern lines about his mouth, and look
of pittiless determination into his
eyes. as, carefully closing the door be-
hind him. he approached her. =
She stretched out the tapering. jew
eled fingers In welcome; but there was
no answering movement of the gloved
hands tightly locked behind him.
Madam" and at something in his
Zone new TO her ear, she started, II
cannot claim our welcome as a
friend, SINGS ! come only as another's
messenger
"And can Mr.. Lennox doubt his vel.
come. let his errand be what ii may?1
MusicalIy sweet rang out the question,
as her dark eyes searched his face.
II ask no welcome" he replied. un-
relentingly--nay. more. I wish none.
Madam, may I Inquire whether it Is
customary thing for brides thus 20
spend their wedding day."
"Ahi" a dangerous fire now leapirg
into his eyes; then yonr friend has
already told you OF my compliance
with bis urgent entreaty that I shouli
become his wife before sailing?"
II have already made another call
this morning. madam, upon the clergy
man who performed the ceremony. !
He, 1T seems, had known OF the affair
before the ~expectant groom-ln
fact, the bride had inclosed his fee.
Under such circumstances 1t is scarce
iy remarkable that my friends elo
cucnce was successful. In his oase ii
might have been not unity termed
e~loquence!"
sir, insult mel"
mo, madam, but I am here to throw
aside the mask Of conventionality and
meet you face to face. No. do not
your servant by that silver
hell. AS I said before. I am a messen-
ger. A bride refusing to hear q mes.
sage from her bridegroom OF scarce
twenty-four hoursl What miracle is
But a truce to idle talk. Tell
me. have you ver eel this paper be-
Proudly. unf~alteringly. her y rest
Cd ON the column he laid beside her,
but In reality a sea OF darkness swan
before her. Save In that FIRST instant's
glance, which told her all, no word
penetrated her brain. But with bent
head shs forced back her self-posses-
sion, of which momentary losing she
had given no outward trace.
And you and he believed this Lief"
she said, after a moments pause.
I'VE know It to be true" Lennox
answered calmly. "You have been q
wife. q mother, yet he married you,
supposing you a young and innocent
girl. He was your tool, your dupe.
And whyf Because he was the heir
Ky. 49, |
cause by his name you hoped to re-
deem your OWE; because he could give
you the al to crafty your ambi.
lions. In Gods name. had you no
heart, no conscience, that you could do
this thing?"
3You dare to put to me that Dues
she answered, starting to her
4aaf "Conarfeuca7 M what have Il