The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-09-03

ments the maid returned, bearing in
her hand a glass--a glass into which
she had emptied a small white powder
before filling 1t with the red fluid The
man emptied II at draught.
ut tasted bitter" he said, as he
handed back the glass
Nonsense" she replied.
But even as he spoke his head fell
back on the pillow, and his eyes closed
in sleep.
A few moments she stood watching
him, until his calm, measured breath
ing told her that his slumber was deep.
"Sleep on" she said, an evil smile
playing about her lips. Poor, weak
fool! 1t is for you to sleep, for me to
work. You viii not tell me your pre-.
cious secret, Ell? Then Marie will dis
cover 1t for herself"
With these words she crossed the
room, first taking from the pocket of
his coat, which he had hung across a
chair-a small bunch of keys, and APP
plying them, one by one, to the lock of
a well worn desk, until one fitted, and
she then opened the lid. For half an
| hour she made careful search among
the papers. Nothing rewarded her eff
forts. A few bills, few notes from
herself, some memoranda, were all
that she discovered.
HE knows something" she NUT
| tered aloud. There must be some
written evidence of 1t. Where does he
! keep it?"
Carefully restoring everything in its
! place. she again locked the desk and
returned the keys. after which she ex-.
| amined every pocket, even the lining
of his coat. All in vain.
A bafied look swept over her face.
| Had she administered the drug for
nothing? Did he in reality know moth
ing more Of Barbara Bretton's early
life than she knew herself? There was
| one chance left.
She bent over the sleeping man and
| laid her hand softly on his heart. Was
il imagination only which brought that
Frosy flush of hope TO her cheeks, and
made her own heart beat In mad
bounds? She felt something like a
sheet of paper.
/ He slept heavily on. Softly, skill
fully, she slipped her fingers beneah
| the linen.
Yes, the drug had served its pur-
, pose. She felt a paper in his touch;
but 1t was sewed to his shirt. Nothing
daunted. she severed the stitches, and
in another instant had dragged it forth
to the light of day.
1t was yellow with age, and but
single sheet, resembling parchment
Her whole frame trembled. She could
scarcely unfold 1t. Feline had kept
his secret we'll
AT last il lay open to her inspection,
but Der eyes dwelt on 1t long before
her mind could grasp its meaning, for
the written words attested to the mar
riage of Barbara Breton with Gerald
Lysle, in the little chapel at ST. Ger
main.
| It was Barbara Bretton's marriage
certificate, duly attested Surely she
herself did not know of it's existence.
Could 1t be that she and all the world
were mistaken, and that she had in re-
atty been Sir Gerald Lysle's welded
wife? And why had Feline kept this
secret so zealously?
"Ah!" quick thought flashed across
Marie's mind, 'if this be true, her hold
over Travis Meredith is gone. She
cannot be the wife of two men at once
Yes, my lady--yes! My turn is COM
ing. The wheel grinds slowly, but it
crushes, none the less"
Then, with deft fingers, she re-
stored the paper TO its place, sewing
it as before, so that it might be held
secure-Feline's regular breathing
serving as an accompaniment to her
work
1t was barely completed when mad
ame's bell rang violently. Marie, COM
posing her face into the usual express
sion, FASTENED to answer it.
| Marie" commenced Barbara, her
manner betokening much agitation as
the maid entered the room, DIR. Hayes
| left me two hours ago, promising to
return in very few minutes. Some
premonition tells me he has met Mr..
Issuing from my house. Send Feline
to me. must ascertain the truth"
Feline, madame, is sleeping. He
was quite III. and composed for him
soothing draught VIII you have him
loused?"
mo, let him sleep. But / must in
some way end this suspense"
Perhaps | can serve you, madame.
II so, command me-"
GO, then. TO DR.. Hayes rooms, and
ascertain ifFhe has been there, and
| at what hour he left them"
Marie CONTESTED and withdrew.
Ten minutes later, her face entirely
hidden by a. veil, she emerged from the
street door and walked rapidly away.
| At last she stopped before a house,
where, on raising her veil, the con-
cierge Immediately admitted her.
| She assembled three flights Of stairs
before she paused; then. as her hand
was raised TO rap for admittance, she
suddenly dropped 1t, and leaned her
head in listening posture. Loud and
angry voices sounded within.
you hear me?" said a mans voice,
have tracked you at length, first to
drag from your false lips what you