Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-09-26

marry man of title under your own
name, and she forgot that the marriage
would be Illegal
The visitor started
How dare you" she began an
grily, but she was interrupted in her
turn.
you are no more Iveagh Sefton's wife
than l am" burst ont the French Won
an, delighted to have stung her enemy
at last. Your real name is Joan Vane,
and you are the daughter OF the most
notorious scoundrel in England"
She paused for want of breath; for
the moment her passion had mastered
her! Was it possible this extraordinary
girl was not going to speak at ALI
A sudden suspicion seized her. She
bent quickly forward. and tore off the
veil. She hardly knew what she had
expected to see, but she was entirely UNI
prepared for the sight that met her eyes.
In place of Joan's pretty face, bathea
in tears, she saw Mabel Brabazon's
homely one, lit up with mocking look
of intense amusement
Hardened and bold as the French
woman was, she reeled under the shock.
Miss Brabazon." she stammered. how
dare you gain admittanee to my house
by false pretenSas?'
Il came Because Iveagh Seton sent
me-" said Mabel Brabazon, with direct
gaze which the other found it hard to
meet Did you think it likely that
Lord Seton would be such a blind fool
as TO let his wife come here alone, to
have her mind poisoned by your spite z"
How dare you and he plot together
against me?" asked madame, still white
with rage 'WhO told him that / had
written to his wife?"
Mabel Brabazon laughed scornfully.
You do not understand us English
people," she said calmly; mo doubt it is
owing to your foreign birth. My cousin
Lady Seton receives an anonymous let
ter, offering, if she will keep certain
appointment, to unfold her husbands
past. 1t may seem strange to you,
madam, but my cousin has no curiosity
as to her husbands past"
THE present being so eminently sat
isfactory" interposed her opponent grim
ly, "and the future bathed in rosy light!"
Miss Brabazon bowed as one accepting
this addition in good faith, and con-
tinued-
Like good wife, as she is, in spite
of being the daughter of the greatest
scoundrel in England, she showed the
letter to her husband"
Madame de st. Alaur, foiled at every
| turn, glared at her threateningly
AS you say, l do not understand your
ways" she said satirically; 81 am not
| acquainted with many good wives" and
then noticing Mabcl's smile, she finished
hurriedly, Il have associated more with
scOundrels.~
you choose your own society," said
| Mabel curtly. NO one forces you.'
May l ask what you propose to do
now" asked madame, ignoring the last
remark "Will you 60 back, supposing
l allow you to leave this house, and give
Lord Seton the information respecting
his wife's BIRTH"
Miss Brabazon took no notice of the
yelled threat. She was not easily fright
ened, but rose as if to terminate the in
terview as she said coolly--
you may ask anything you please.
This is a free country"
"You will go without replying-go ike
that?" screamed the French woman.
with a voluble utterance that threat
ened impending Mysteries.
| The English girl looked at her steadily.
81 am not obliged to leave at once
she said, in her most pleasant tone. 81
was afraid you had already had too
much of my society. If you prefer it.
can sit down and wait until Lord
Seton calls for me, which he will do in
few moments"
you lay your plans we'll, Miss Bra
bacon. | would advise you to be careful.
1t is a dangerous thing to mix yourself
up with a married mans affairs" Mad
anne de st. Maur was hoarse with rage,
but she knew herself beaten, so she fin
ished grandiloquently- no cir
| cumstances would l admit Iveagh Seton
to my house"
Her opponent bowed, and taking the
words as a permission to depart, moved
towards the door.
As she did so, the temptation to say
something disagreeable grew ON her, and
she turned and said mockingly-
Perhaps it would have been happier
for Lord Seton had you made the reso-
luton not to admit him within your
doors two years ago"
She did not wait for any response. but
as she stood on the doorstep and saw the
approaching lights of Lord Sefton's
brougham, she was uneasily conscious
that she had made n dangerous enemy.
and that that last mocking taunt had
better have been left unspoken.
TO BE CONTINUED.