Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-08-27

journey.
"Murderl Is there danger. then. OF
her life?" she asked.
But neither agitation or fear was
In her voice. while a slight smile play
ed about the corners Of the exquisitely
curved lips.
Yes he answered, there IS dan
ger TO both life and reason. When
she first thoroughly realized her posi-
ton she swooned away. 1t was long
before could restore her to conscious
ness. When I at last succeeded, a
burning fever ensued, which has last
ed at intervals e since, attended
With delirium. When the fever leaves
her. she lies utterly PROSTATE and de-
spairing. II Is impossible for this
state Of things to continue. One OF
two things must follow-madness or
death"
she is young, she Is strong. You
overestimate the danger. Besides" a
sudden energy creeping into Ter tone,
"at any cost-Richard, do you moi re-
member my words?-at any cost my
end must be gained. I do not poison
this girl, neither do / stab her, or send
a bullet into her heart. If she is iii, 1t
is the fever, not /. that is 10 blame"
Nay, Barbara, you hold in your
hand the remedy, without which all my
skill ayails nothing. My darling, give
this all up, and trust to me to make
your future happinessi"
"Neveri-you hear ~me?-neyer!
Though | trampled upon this girls
body to reach my goal. / would not
hesitate. What is she to me, save an
other link In a past which ~tortures
me? hate her! she. too. has crossed
my path. She suffers. am glad; let
her suffer-"
Barbara"
Her listener stood aghast. Never
had the woman before shown so much
of the inner passion consuming her.
His voice restored her calm.
She glided to his side and laid her
head upon his shoulder, her hands
clinging to his arm. 1t was an IN.
wonted act of demonstration.
MY friend-my only friend" she
murmured low. forgive mel Oh,
Richard, do not Judge me so harsh as
l seem, but you alone know something
of my agony In these years. I do not
fear this girls death; she will live on.
Besides, what good would 1t do to re-
store her to her home? She is be-
lieved to have eloped with you. They
would not receive her. Wait but a lit.
tie while; then, If you wish, we will
advise them at the conyent of where
she is and let its walls open to re-
ceive her forever.
Monsieur Lennox, my lady, is be-
low and desires a few moments with
YOU" interrupted Feline at the door.
What a have brought him here?'
Barbara questioned aloud, yet speak
ing only to herself. 'sWait for me.
Richard. ! must know what they sus-
pect: then ! will reloin you.
The man, thus commanded. sank
heavily back In his chair, an express
sion of anxious pain and perplexity
upon his brow, while Rarbara's silken
skirts rustled across the soft carpet
and down the stairs to the draw ug
room.
With a smile on her lips and eyes.
she went forward to greet him who
stood awaiting her with arms tightly
folded upon his chest.
Mr.. Lennox." she said, s'this Is a
most delightful surprise"
That 1t is a surprise, madame,I can
hardly doubt. 1t must indeed be an
urgent necessity which would induce
me to cross your threshold. Need
name the necessity In words? You
n threatened me, madame, long
years ago. 1t was an ignobIe, an un-
generous threat. You said you would
strike through me at the girl I loved.
You have done so. ! now throw my.
self upon your mercy and ask her back
at your hands"
A surprised, bewildered expression
passed over the beautiful face.
81 am very sorry" she said, broken
". II believe. In a moment OF passion,
I may have uttered words OF such i'm
port, but-what do you mean? Ex-
plain yourself"
Il mean that I am confident you
know Of Miss Meredith's whereabouts
and are in a measure responsible for
them-I mean that at any cost I will
discover whtre she isl mean the man
who has decoyec her from her home
shall give to me his life as a forfeit
unless her lips pray to me to spare
him, her heart prove his shield"
Milton, you wrong me-" she an
swered, in broken one True. In a
moment OF angry passion. of outraged
love, ! thus spoke. But could you
think my resentment would thus last?
Has 1t not burned out in all this fire
Of passionate misery which has since
consumed me? am sorry IL new
grief has come to you. Believe me. I
would onvert 1t into happiness II I
could"
Both were standing. She drew q