Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-10-09
By MRS. ALICE P. CHARLESTON

Claire wavered an instant, stricken
with a sudden conviction.
"His motherv' she faltered. 81 know
you now. Madam, you are Sylphide
Couramont."
"Yes," came the defiant reply; 81 am
Sylphide Couramont, and his mother. But
he repulses my caresses; he does not even
recognize me-"
81 understand yonr grief, madam, and
1 pity you"
Indeed? I am worthy Of pity, am l
not? am wretched indeed since heaven
and earth have conspired to betray me.
have been robbed of my name and for
tune, and Of the man I loved. I have
been robbed even of the child for whose
sake I descended into the valley of the
shadow Of death"
'What brings you here, madam p MUIR
INJURED Claire, terrified by her vehemence;
"why do you seek to enter my homer"
"Your homer sneered Sylphide; "are
you going to summon your people to eject
me? 1t is true that 1 have ventured to
intrude upon your home, but what single
thing have you which does not come from
me? You lay dying upon a miserable
pallet in New York; three months only
you had to live, your father and mother
were furnishing; father, mother, husband,
child, and life itself, gave you all! And
you dare to tell me to my face that am
in your home! Verify, madam, you are
ungrateful."
Trembling with alarm, poor Claire re-
piled:
ut is true that without your interfer-
ence l should now perhaps have been in
my grave; but if you have saved my life
NJ 6;I o$ INF %o. ~ uoYy
have married me to Lucian Courtlandt
you chose me, as you have just admitted,
because you considered me condemned to
death. Now, what can l do to repay
you? / am prepared for anything-but
DEATH"
II demand nothing, wish nothing, ex-
| pect nothing from you"
| '"Then why are you here? Oh, dread
to understand You came expecting to
find me dead. Well, your hope has prov
ed delusive. You need remain no longer"
Those final words appeared to contain
the venom of deadly serpent for Syl-
| phide.
Il shall not depart until 1 have seen
Lucian," she said, firmly.
"Lucian!'' gasped Claire in dismay;
"you shall not see him; do not choose
that he shall see you. / am still very
weak, madam, but think can summon
the strength of lioness to my aid in
defense of my happiness! Besides, you
know that he no longer loves you"
"No longer loves mev' Kissed the enc
my; "pray, how do you know that? How
can you judge of the empire which have
exerted over him? All, do not come
unarmed bring with me the memory Of
three years of passionate love!'
Il tell you, you shall not see Lucian!
am his wife before the lawv'
"At all events you shall give me my
childv
"No, no! Stand backv'
"Stay! What are you doing hereT
The few but imperative words cut
short the terrific struggle of a moment,
! and as the two women recoiled, little
Leon flew into his fathers arms.
Embrace your child, if you WILL"
Lucian Courtlandt said to Sylphide but
bear in mind that he is also my son, and
he shall never leave me. Now, you need
delay your departure no longer"
She returned his stern look with lances
of fire.
Have you not heard the news?" she
asked, with swift intensity; slavery has
been abolished l am free!'
"But I am not Free" he answered
steadily; 'you remember our compact
while Claire lives we are to remain stran-
gers. You have violated your oath. Fare
well-forever!'
She faced her doom as the great oak
breasts the storm; she paused an instant
irresoltfte, then lowered her veil and turn
ed away Presently she stopped and
looked back to find Claire Nesting in her
husbands arms.
Farewell" she breathed, "but not for
ever. We shall meet once again, Lucian
Courtlardt, once again-on the day Of
reckoning!'
CTo 10 continuedl