The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-06-25

heart at his feet, 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 1t credence? Bit
for this" drawing within the beauti-
full fingers the lock of hair, 81 might
tell him all. but for this might plead
with him TO save me from myself!
was mad-I was madl God cannot
lay this sin at my door! My babyl
my baby! They say murdered you,
but they tell what is false!"
Madam, did you speak?"
II was Feline, the valet, who inter
rupted her, her fingers still toying
with the tress of hair.
Like a lioness at bay she sprang to
her feet.
"No! How dare you enter at this
hour?"
Pardon, madam! II is 2 o'clock. |
heard your voice and feared you were
IL"
Never mind, Feline, do not mind.
was but startled for the moment.
am not sorry yoI came. 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"
NO; ON the contrary 1t occurred to
me | should in some way reward your
faithful service; but first I must go
back to the past, which, from tonight,
even in memory, is to be forever FUR
led. My child was how old when re-
ceived from monsieur the letter which
made me so long ill.,"
Three months, madam
$50 | thought, but my brain reels.
And from the day Of my illness the
child was never seem"
Never, madam, alive. It's dead body
was discovered on the steps of Ia
Madeleine We recognized ii by the
clothes it wore. The physicians said
IL died from exposure. How the ,hild
was taken from it's warm bed is mys-
terry. The French girl madam had en-
gagged with 1t, 1t is true; but she had
no motive for such 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 l
am to De married quietly at home.
No one must know of it save you and
Marie The ceremony will take place
at midnight. See to 1t that the clergy
man holds himself in readiness. In
this envelope is his fee, to be paid him
in advance. 1t will be sufficient 20
compensate him for the loss OF few
hours sleep. Tomorrow | 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 noIselessly behind him, the
actress threw herself once again back
in her chair, an expression of acute
suffering sweeping across the beadti-
full face.
mo nopei" she muttered. "Does
he, too, suspect me? Does he not
know the story Of the unnatural moth
or, with which the newspapers rang,
which, lad they proof, would have con-
signed me to the felon's cell? And
yet she was a girl. Was l to dover
her with heritage OF shame-to know
her as I had been-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 / clipped from that sunny
head of golden hair? Is not each hair
twisted about my heart, till Its life
beat almost ceases? Let this die with
the rest. Ashes to ashes,'" falling
upon her knees and laying the little
curl almost reverently upon the Goals.
Then, with a sudden movement, as
It flame up, she tried to save 1t; ont
too late. The dry sob which echoed
through the room was its requiem.
With a face strangely hardened,
with eyes from which all tenderness
had died, she rose to her feet and ST.
lentIy placed the one letter she had
saved, together with the false certifi-
cate. back in the box, then crossed the
floor to deposit it again in its hiding
place.
Standing erect, her eyes swept the
room. She looked like queen, whose
subjects knealt at her feet to do her
homage. Her beauty shone forth peer.
less, triumphant, as, bowling low, with
matchless grace, she said aloud:
my past. farewell! My future,
salute you'll"
zMESxV