The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-07-30


7 ago so charming In its loneliness, only
a groan in answer burst from his lips.
II was, instead, Milton Lennox who
drew Avice's arm through his, as he
whispered:
my dear, II is all true. Yet Travis
meant to do no wrong; he thought this
woman dead. Madam" he continued,
while Avice still chung to his side, I'VE
do not wish to dispute your claim, but
was there no quieter way to assert
it?"
Monet" she answered defantly-
"none!" Yes, you and he thought me
dead. | arrived in Paris only yester-
day; only this morning learned of this
intended marriage. / came hither at
once, hoping to see my husband
| alone"
One by one the guests withdrew. 1t
was evident, at such scene, 1t were
best there should be no witnesses.
Travis had borne Miss st. John TO
her room; but, when Milton begged
Avice to follow, she haughtily refused,
standing bravely forward as champion
! Of her brothers right.
| A strange likeness was apparent in
! the two beautiful faces as their
| glances met. The same yiolet-tinted
! eyes blazed from beneath the same
! jetty fringe of lash and the curved
brow above. but the figure Of the elder
! held a peerless majesty that that of
| the younger had not yet gained.
Barbara's voice softened as she
went on:
"You are his sister, therefore you
love him. You are a woman, there
fore you hate me. But IL love him!
You should pity rather than hate"
Through the armor in which Avlce
had wrapped herself, the gentle dig
nifty of these words pierced. A mo-
ment before, in each glance had been
the challenge of deadly foe; but now
Barbara's had fallen, and over Avice's
crept the mist of tears.
TELL me-" she said, turning to Len
| nox, "how did this dreadful thing hap
pen? Who is she?"
Then Barbara's lids lifted them
| selves, and the quick glance into his
face said, more plainly than words:
Keep my secret. 1t were better for
all"
This lady your brother married
three years ago. replied Milton.
when she says she loved him, she
says falsely. She intrigued him into
the marriage and now, for some pur-
pose known only to herself, makes
public her claim"
why, then, did marry him?" said
Barbara, addressing the girl. | knew
nothing of his wealth, his prospects.
/ loved him-aye, and he too, loved
me, but that this false friend came
between us. But shall yet win him
to my side, and prove my claim not
only to his name, but to his heart.
wish to see my husband alone. 1t is
my right-a right which for three long
| years has been denied me-"
Milton, it is true 1t is her right!
If this is, indeed, my brothers wife,
she is my sister. Travis will surely
see her, as she desires"
your sister? Merciful heaven!
that your pure lips should breathe that
name, and her ears catch the sounds,
Avice, for the first time in my life
claim your obedience. Leave me with
this woman" His voice, though full
of gentleness, had in it new tone of
firmness and meaning which the girl,
as he led her to the door, could not
withstand. "Wait for me in the IL
brary," he said. 81 will come to you
in half an hour"
Then the portals swung TO behind
her. and Barbara and Lennox were
alone.
the woman changed. She was lion
ess at bay. Her eyes darkened till
they matched the purple OF her dress
the diamonds sparkling on the ex-
quisite baroness of her neck and arms
were not more radiantly scintillant;
through the red lips cleaned the
white even teeth, as she stood motion
less, as though turned to stone, yet
with her very stiffness suggestive Of
the tigress crouching for the last fatal
spring.
what is your price?"
These were the words which broke,
at last, the silence, as Milton, with
arms folded across his chest, stood
facing her.
She laughed aloud in answer. Who
could dream that, only a moment be-
fore, her voice had in 1t the sound Of
unshed tears?
The little, low, musical laugh trilled
through the room. II hurt the mans
listening ears more than any blow
1t told more potently than any words
the hopelessness of his friends cause.
my price?" she said at last. Had
those words been uttered by any other
lips / would fifty rebuke the insult.
With you ii would be lost. / have no
price save the public acknowledge
ment Of my right and title to the Mer-
edith name. Aye, not all the Mere.
dith possessions would buy 1t from
me. l married him-this boy, this
STRIPPING, whom / saw just now bend
in such anguish over the unconscious