Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-06-25


meath his tread. Yet, fooli 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, |
was mad-I was madl God cannot
lay this sin at my door, My baby!
my babyl They say murdered you,
but they tell what is falsel"
Madam, did you speak?"
1t was Feline. the valet, who inter-
rupred 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, madami Il is 2 O'Clock.
heard yocr voice and feared you were
ST."
Never mind, Feline, l. do not mind.
was but startled for the moment. I
am not sorry yoa came. I 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 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
so thought. but my brain reels.
And from the dsy 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
II died from exposure. How the child
was taken from it's warm bed is mys-
terry. Tie French girl madam had en-
gagged with 1T, IL is true; but 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 l
am to De married quietly at home.
No one must know OF 1t 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 IT will be sufficient 10
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 nolselcssly behind him, the
actress 1hrew herself once again back
In her chair, an expression of acute
suffering sweeping across the beauti-
full face.
"No hope!" she mutrered. Does
he, too, suspect me? Does he not
know the story OF the unnatural moth
err, with which the newspapers rang.
which, aad they proof, would have con-
signed me to the felon's cell? And
yet she was girl. Was / to dover
her with heritage of shame-to know
her. as I had heen-the victim Of
mans deceit and treachery? No--a
thousand times no! But what have I
to do with this?' looking down at the
curl still twisted IN her hand-with
this, that l 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 sudden movement, as
It flame up, she tried to save It; 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 certsfi-
cate, back In the box. then crossed the
floor to deposit 1t again in It's 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, I
salute you'll"
y,knayT