The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1903-12-12
Barbara Bretton's
~~Ambit,ionr-e
CHAPTER II.-Continued.

the lip until they drew a drop of blood
nounced Miss Bretton's cue, and
STOPPING. she adjusted her train as she
swept from the room on to the stage.
For a few moments the actress
seemed oblivious of the audience or
her part; then again her eyes flashed
IN the direction of the box, and agar
met the impassioned glance of Travis
Meredith, who now was seated where
he could devour her every movem ont
His cheeks were flushed as if with
wine. He had forgotten time, scene
place, in the ungoyernable emotion
which had conquered him. No word
escaped his lips until the play wa.
ended; then he turned abruptly to his
friend.
Take me to her-you have prom,
ised!" he said.
Milton I>ennox smiled, drew a slip
of paper from his pocket, and, writ
ing a few words upon it, dispatched a
messenger with it behind the scenes.
! Presently the messenger returned.
she would be happy to have any
friends of Mr.. Lennox join her at sup
per-
will you go, Dick? 1t is unneces-
sary to ask Travis"
For moment the surgeon hesitated,
then accepted, and in another half
hour the carriage containing the three
young men stopped at Barbara Bret
tons door,
For full five minutes they awaited
her entrance in the pretty little parlor
into which they had been ushered, but
of the countless articles of taste and
rarity scattered about the apartment
Travis took no heed. His eyes were
fixed expectantly upon the door until
My rested once more Upon her beauty
"a beauty which: thus closely scruti-
nized, seemed more wonderful than
when She stood upon the boards.
She had barely time to bid them
welcome, in her own gracious manner
"a manner to which was added the
charm Of modesty and re0nen1ent-
oie Supppttr: was dhnounced, and the
doors thrown open leading to the din
ing room.
+ 4 Small table, glittering with silver
and glass, was set for four. The host
ess, taking her place at the head, mo-
toned young Meredith to her right
hand-the same hand which ever re-
plenished his glass ere it's contents
were half drained.
But tonight it was not the wine
which intoxicated him. A deeper
thought had gone to his brain. He ate
little or nothing, but he quenched his
his passion with the light from her
eyes.
From across the table Doctor Hayes
glance follawed every motion curious
ly; but of this Travis needed nothing,
until. as the clock upon the mantel
chimed one. his friends rose to their
feet. He was the last to bid his host
ess adieu. For moment he was alone
with her.
Il may come again." he questioned
abruptly.
She darted seemingly surprised
look into his eager face.
You wish it SO much?" she replied.
MY life hangs on your answer"
She smiled.
1T is a young life to condemn so
easily. cannot be SO cruel. Yes, Mr..
Meredith, you may come
For answer he raised her hand to
his burning lips, pressed kiss upon
it, then, with a great wrench, tore HIM
self away.
Alone, she fell back in an easy chair,
toying with her fan, a dark perplexed
expression crossing the beautiful face.
And has my power all gomez" She:
questioned. "He left me tonight with
out so much as pressure Of the hand
he who but short month ago lived
but in my smile. He will warn this
boy, too, Of that dark spot in my past,
which has arisen, like a ghost from
its grave to haunt me. 1 thought it
buried forever, and 10! when my hand
ness, it's bony fingers shook it from
my grasp. But you do not yet know,
Milton Iennox, the woman whose love
you have dared throw back at her very
feet. You have some interest in this
boy You watched him closely to-
night. All, If he can but feed my am
bition, through him will be avenged"
Then, with sudden thought, she
touched the silver bell at her hand.
In a moment a man noiselessly en-
tered and stood awaiting her CON-
mands. 1t was the valet who had
waited on them at supper.
Feline" began his mistress, 1.-The
gentleman who sat at my right to-
night is a stranger. BY tomorrow at
this time let me be fully appraised of
all concerning him, and see to it that
there is no mistake! If, in the mean-
time, he calls, am not at home"
The valet. bowed and withdrew.
Barbara rose, and, crossing the room,
regarded herself long and earnestly in
the mirror.
Thirty years." she murmured at
last. Have they left their impress I?
Even my maid dared taunt me to-
night! Can she suspect? or were hor