The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-09-10


"But you have loved another?"
"Hush!" Oh, what Dissertation It
seemed, that this last course she had
adopted, in his despair. should drag
Avice's name into this woman's
mouth. 1--WE will not speak Of her,
he continued. with forced calmness.
"She has deserted me. All now care
to know Is where she may be, to have
some assurance that's she was I'M
worthy Of me. If l could know this,
would forget her."
"YoU are sure--sure of that?" Bar
bara questioned, speaking in low, in
tense tone. Suppose | prove 1t to
you-what shall be my reward?"
Whatever you may ask. But you
how can you prove It? You know
nothing"
"You are right" she replied, 81
know nothing; but with such an end
in view may discover much She is
but girl; children cannot thus cover
their tracks in great city. will find
her for you, or, If she is married to
this nlan-this DR.. Hayes will show
you the certificate of their marriage.
Perhaps the ceremony mas not been
performed as yet. If find her | Trill
sec shat he thus rights her without de-
lay"
Her voice rang with triumph. She
remembered white, despairing face,
worn and thin, with eyes that seemed
to her seeking 20 recall past buried
in obliyion-remembered how easy it
would be to force this poor, helpless
girl to do her will; and as for the man,
she knew what arguments to use with
him. But what was Milton Lennox
saying?
unless he has already righted her,
fear it will be too late in this world"
What could he mean? Surely the
note she had sent had done its work.
What do you say?" she gasped cut.
only that DR.. Hayes and l met, not
two hours ago, in mortal combat, and
that it was he who fell"
+. Dead! Is he dead?"
did you know him SO well that you
thus ask me?"
NO" she replied, forcing herself to
calmness, except in that far-ofr time
when he and you were friends. You
have killed him, them"
"He was alive when left him. How
long he might live the surgeon could
not say"
why did you fight?"
In the midst of his trouble, Milton
could but. admire the simulated limo
cence with which she framed the
question. Surely, to this woman, all
the world was stage, and all man.
kind but puppets in her hand.
1--WE fought" he answered, very
slowly, because we both loved the
same woman. Can you guess who it
was?"
loud peal from the bell had startled
them both.
In moment Feline appeared at the
portiere, and in obedience to mys-
terious summons she followed him
into the hall.
Several men stood there, Bearing a
litter they had just brought in from
an ambulance at the door.
"The gentleman is sorely wounded,
and babe us, before he was hurt, If he
survived the duel to bring him here"
"See that he Is made comfortable
at once, Feline. He will occupy the
east room, and call Marie to assist
YOU
Then, without one glance, even of
pity, for the unconscious form of the
sufferer, she retraced her steps and
that the sound of the excitement
might not arouse suspicion in Lennox's
mind-carefully closed the door
through which she had passed.
Milton had risen to go. The part he
had assumed was intolerable to him.
The very beauty of the woman nause-
ated him. He felt as though some
deadly weapon were coiling itself
about him.
Milton" she said, coming close be-
side him and lifting her face to his,
will you not kiss me once-just once?
1t has been so long since your last kiss
rested on my lipsl"
Il dare not" he answered. Find
out for me all would know, and you
shall then forget the past in the pres
emit"
Long after he had left her she stood
living over the memory of those words.
Her youth seemed to have returned to
her.
IL only this girl were swept from her
path-were dead-if she could prove it
so-perhaps the old dream might meet
with it's fulfillment.
All, what was that?-a baby's wall
that echoed through the room? No,
no!
She covered back on the sofa and
covered her face with her hands. She
was innocent of that far-off wrong.
Her child was dead, but she had not
killed 1t. But-oh, that this girl had
died in infancy and her own baby had
lived! Perhaps her life might have
been different then.
Feline's entrance aroused her. She
for the first time remembered the sick
mans presence in her house.
He is not dead, Feline?" she ques-
toned, springing to her feet.
mo, madame. but the doctor says
there is very little hope. He has been
wounded in duel. Will madame see
him?"
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