The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-07-09
CHAPTER vII.-continued.

Tell me. then, that | may prove
them false-nay, show you how you
wrong her!" exclaimed Meredith, re.
Stunning his seat, and refolding his
arms across his breast.
six months ago I entered my box
at the theater. II was the first night
of Barbara Brettop's engagement.
Some of the fame of, her beauty had
preceded her, but as my eyes fell on
her that night all praise paled in the
reality. Night after night Toasted on
aer loveliness. Each night some out
ward evidence of homage fell at her
feet. Weeks passed before could
obtain an introduction to her. sought
II In vain. At last she granted my re.
quest, and permitted me to be brought
into her presence. From that hour
thought l loved her. She fascinated
me as no other woman had ever done.
I was even mad enough to dream of
asking her TO become my wife-I, who
all my life had put the child for whom
was waiting before all other women.
Then--how, 1t matters not-was laid
before me the story Of her past. And
such q past! | shrink back Mortified,
appalled,! Travis, will you force me
into telling more! VIII you not spare
me and yourself? You will forget this
siren when the ocean rolls between
you"
Speak on am waiting!" Travis
answered sternly.
"As you viii, then. Listen. AT
sixteen Barbara Breton left her quiCt
country home in England, stealing
from the old farm house in the night.
At the same time there disappeared
from the neighborhood young man
who had been spending there in Idle
ness the summer months
DOUBTLESS her beauty had attracted
him and he.had found her a too easy
victim to his willy tongue The sequel
of their sudden flight was but too
plain. They had gone together This
was proven later by the fact that they
had been seen together in Paris, she
calling herself his wife
"Her mother, bowed with shame
sank into the grave. Her father cursed
her and swore that, though she starved
at his very doors, they should not open
90 receive her. Months passed on.
her child was born. She concealed
the fact from every one until, when
it was three months old she deter
mined to make the stage her profes-
sion--to leave her native land aud
come here where she was unknown.
"To do this she must bury every
trace of the past. The young man had
long deserted her-was soon TO he
married to another, a woman In his
own rank of life. The child! This
was the stumbling block.
''With such a woman there could be
no hesitation. With her own hands
she administered drug TO the sleep
ing babe, then. at night, carried II to
die on the steps of La Madeiaine, fan
ewing her secret secure The child
was found--dead. Inquiry was made
II was traced 10 her door. She was ar
rested. Witnesses we're found who
proved that she had purchased the
poison: others who had seen her steal
from the house with the infant In her
arms
Fortunately for her no trace Of
poison was found in the child's ston..
ach, and the verdict rendered was
death from exposure; so she escaped
the felon's cell. Since then her life
has been without hope as without re
morse-Gmbition and greed her gods
Many a. man has gone from her fatal
loneliness to send a bullet through lis
brain, and she has read his death sen
tence with laugh-aye, as she would
read mine or yours!
Travis, my eyes were opened IL
time to the abyss on whose flower
strewn brink l stood. From sucn 8
fate would sage you. What have you
70 say now?"
ITO say? To such cnlumny there
can be but one answer, come 1t from
friend or foe!" shouted Travis, bis
voice hoarse with passion, springing &c
his feet and darting forward one
swift blow
''But ere It descended Milton Len
uox caught and held the uplifted arm
IN his own strong grasp. while the two
men, each white as marble, looked un
nlnchingly into each others eyes.