Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-07-31
81 presume you are a near friend
of mademoiselle's? ''

of mademoiselle's?''
'sYes-yes, of course!''
'Then I would say mader-,fselle is
quite i'll. have done everything for
her that medical science can do,
but" he hesitated.
s'Is her illness so serious that you
have given up all hopes
practically. You see it is what
people call heart break A wealthy
baronet, who came of very ar;1to-
cratic family. left her suddenly. At
first she succeeded in hiding her sor-
row, but it proved too much for her
strength, and as consequence she
collapsed.
when she was able to sit up she
insisted on having a window open,
and in an hour afterward was taken
with hard chill, then came a hack
ing cough, which affected her lungs
that is all; it is simply question of
time''
There must be something you can
do for her to save her from death,
medical science is so advanced now
adays. If it is simply a matter of
money"
"No, no, mol Money, science or
nothing else can save her. She tried
change of climate, she consulted the
most eminent specialists, and at last
she asked that she might come home
to spend the few remaining weeks of
her life
Doctor, mademoiselle is ready to
receive you" said the nurse, appear
ing at the door.
A week after Sir Roland went again
to see Camille, but was refused ad-
mission to her apartments. Made
moiselle is much worse Lord Ches-
terton, and she has changed, dread
fully; she absolutely refused to see
anyone"
''Then it would not make her hap
Ply now-she would not care to-"
ITO what, my lord?"
''To marry me-
81 fear-but wait; here comes the
doctor now"
Sir Roland took the doctor to one
side and unfolded his plan, although
the doctor warned him that Camille
could live but a few hours; then, de-
iberately pushing the nurse to one
side, he entered Candles room, and
was Mortified at the change in her
condition, her lips were white as
death. her face was CHASTITY like that
of corpse, and the light from the
green shaded lamp made the room
look weird and strange. Had he
been a closer observer he would have
noticed a hooking smile playing
about her mouth as he told her of
certain thing he intended to do. But,
as a most natural consequence, he
al D1k,
later, clothed with all the necessary
authority of the law, Camille Rodays
became Lady Chesterton, the nurse
and the doctor acting as witnesses
to the ceremony After the ceremony
was over Sir Roland bent over the
bed and, taking the new Lady Ches-
terton in his arms, kissed her color
less lips, despite her efforts to strug
gle away from him. The next instant
the nurse was ordering him out Of
the house, declaring that the excite
ment brought on by the hasty mar
riage would be the death of the girl.
Sir Roland walked rapidly down
the narrow little street with a very
serious expression on his handsome
young face. He was both glad and
sorry; he was thoroughly convinced
that he had done the right thing by
Camille. He at least had kept his
word, but the family-what would
they say? Then the thought came to
him that probably Camille would die
in week or so; before his chival-
rous act became known; and the
very next moment the thought OF
Camille dying set his heart 80 beat
ing wildly. After he had walked
some distance he took cigar from
an inner pocket, bit off the end and
was going to light it when he felt
sticky substance on his lips. Impul-
sively, he drew his hand across his
mouth, then looked at his fingers, anc
saw they were smeared with cos
metic-
could it be?" he asked himself
then he remembered how round and
plump Camille's hand was when he
placed the ring on her finger. Turn
ing back, he walked rapidly, his
heart filed with. doubt and misgiv-
| ing. AS he again approached the
pretty little villa he turned hastily
down a side street that led directly
past the garden. Reaching the gate,
| he lifted the latch and entered, with
| the same rapid strides he walked up
| the graveled pathway. upon reaching
| the house he entered unannounced.
| In the garden room. seated about
table, was merry company; Ca
mile in the best of health and be-
! witchingly beautiful, sat at the head
! of the table arrayed in a costly
gown; on one side sat the fake nurse,
and on the other the doctor" in
whom Sir Roland recognized young
variety actor that had lately become
popular; some chorus girls and few