Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-10-09
CHAPTER XVII.


she old mans neck, and pillowed her
Aead upon his breast, while he, made I'M
xesponsiye by the horror which had taken
possession of him, stood cold and rigid
az q statue, offering her no support.
'You must know, dear father she
Began, shat l loved my husband, and
told myself that he would never love
me. The thought unseated my reason
until fancied that cruel fate was pur-
suing me, ever crying in my ears, you
nave agreed to die, and yet you still live!
Soaded to desperation, l forgot you and
mother, and l planned the fatal draught."
"And this man was so blind as to De
unable to read the direful secret in your
soul" he cried unappeased. ut was his
Indifference that has driven you to de-
spair! He has no heart! Had he him
self poured out the poison, he could not
seem more culpable in my eyes!"
"Oh, father, father!"
She was trembling now with such dire
apprehension that she was forced to cling
90 him for support. Her agitation seem
sd to exasperate Philip Burgess the
more.
Heaven be praised" he calculated,
"thnt | am neither so old nor infirm that
Z cannot hold a weapon! / will kill him,
Ekill the rogue or fool, whichever he may
Be, who has so misused the angel whom
q intrusted to his keeping"
Father" she said, fixing her magnetic
eyes upon his face, "since l still live,
aimee I have agreed to live, believe me,
Il is only because fresh hope has found
,sas way to my heart, hope impaired
Dy him"
'By him." muttered Philip Burgess,
2ncYedulously. What has he done that
should deserve pardon at our handsT'
During the terrible crisis of yesterday
and hast night he never deserted my bed
aide, even for minute. He sent every
one away, and watched by me alone
When | lapsed into slumber, l felt my
Aand nloistened by his burning tears.
When l awoke he was there by my side,
and | asked myself whether this meant
semorse In the early gray of the morn
ang he left me, thinking that l slept, left
me with the imprint of his burning lips
Rpon my brow, and 1 asked myself
whether this could be lover
She had spoken the truth, and heY
plaintive words carried conviction with
chem. The old man was touched, and the
seady tears welled from their fonts, and
FLASHED upon her bowed head.
lit may be so, my darling" he muir
mured; IN eaven grant that it is so! Coma,
bet us go to him together and see"
As he cast his arm about her waist
and laid her head gently upon his shout
der as they enteerd the shadowy hall, out
IN the garish sunlight, unseen hands
parted the hedge that fringed the lawn,
and the face of Nemesis glared through
Nvid, haggard, vengeful-the face of Syl-
phide Couramont!
"Alivep' she painted in dismayed sur
prise. "That creature lives So all in
vain has heaven removed the first obsta-
ele which separates me from Lucian. l
am free-yet she lives"
1t would have been an appalling study
% have looked into her soul then, as she
Get the shubs snap back into place, gath
cred the rich draperies of her sable at
sire about her, and with rapid step took
Aer way up to the villa.
AS fate would have it, she crossed the
sheltered nook where Camille had taken
yefuge after his alarm caused by the
vision of innocent Claire at the uncur-
aained window. At Sylphide's approach
Camille sprang about, and faced her, as
though she, too, were another haunting
specter.
4'Camille!' she said herself surprised.
Mrs. Hastingsw
Hush! You must not know me, must
AeVey have seen me-
Her words were cut short by the joy
aesss cries of little Leon, who, in hot pur-
suit of sportive terrier, came bounding
n among the trees. Instantly Sylphide's
eyes shot fire.
Leave me with this child" she
Arsathed, imperatively. go into the
ayenue and wait for me. l have much
81 Importance to say to you. Go, so
eBicsr'
As the man only too readily obeyed
aAs command, she knelt with outstretched
arms, and accoated the boy, who had
abandoned his pursuit, and drawn him
self up in military array before the yelled
Sntruder.
"Leon-my son!' she cried, besaech-
angly, her voice softening to q yearning
Ae06erness.
NO. he answered, proudly; 81 am
net your son; am mammals son."
But 1 am your mamma, my darling"
"Oh, no, you're notl My mamma is
Haauma Claire, my white mammal"
That woman again." groaned Syl-
Rhs2e. "They have robbed me even of
my child But will repay them! He
ahal go with me. We shall see, Lucian,
;s.hstAer you will not follow me then!"
She caught at the boy, who struggled
% free himself.
Leon, come to me, GOMEZ she plead
I'D
NE, nor' he screamed, in terror. Let
me go! Let me go! do not know your
His frantic cries, mingled with the
Aariing of the little dog, attracted Claire
herself in haste to the spot. AS she
saaaenly appeared, Leon broke from Syl-
Dhide's grasp, and few to meet her, cling
ing in childish terror TO her robe.
~Leonv exclaimed Claire, pausing in
ahe shedow of the trees, what is the
snetter7" while Sylphide regained her
sect, rs her pallid lips framed the words: