Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-01-17
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.)


'Then you do not need to be told that
returned to hear that she had left the
chateau. You have blamed me for harsh
ness. 1t is not by tonight's discovery
alone that Judge her. No-my wrong
is an old one. This girl. with the little
white face, and the child eyes, had lover
before she ever saw you. 1t was with
him she had fed"
mo, mol" cried Rosamond. Not that
oh, not that!"
what, then?" asked the marquis cold
". Can you deny that the wandering
artist, Armand Leeour, was your lover,
even in those days, when he sat painting
your portrait in your fathers presence
Can you deny that, after you were my
wife, you met him secretly? You were
imprudent, madame, to leave his letters
behind you when you left d'Auray. l
have them still"
"Armond Lecour, who painted my pic
ture!" Rosamond said slowly, with a
kind of passionate scorn. Il did not love
himl" A crimson flush suffused her
features.
you are yet young in sin and decep-
ton, Renee" said the marquis. You
cannot utter lie without flushing"
Il speak the truth" cried the girl,
with anger. II never knew what love
meant till Dare taught me. Darei Dare!
You will not believe it! The heart l
gave you was never another's."
81 know it, Rosamond," he answered.
"And if l had loved" she continued,
turning to De PEsparre again, should
/ have acted as you tell me? Phillip
Norville's daughter? Where are those
letters ?"
All the Indignation of woman unjust
ly accused was in her face and in her
whole bearing She stood up, flushed and
resolute, no longer the timid girl that
they had hitherto known.
Il have them still in my possession,
madame" responded De PEspaTe.
'Why did you leave the chateau, Rosa
mond, and with whom?" Dare questioned
gently.
II stayed there after father died.
was married then. | used to write to the
old man my father had chosen for my
husband. | was very sad and lonely"
she broke off.
'Yes-yes. But what happened? When
did you go away?"
Il can't remember" The look he knew
turned away with despairing groan.
Let me think-let me Think" she
said. IL shall see it presently. The
trees in the garden were bare. Someone
had gone away-who was it?"
ooh, Rosamond-think! Try to recall
it, dear!" entreated Dare. who took
you away?"
"I-don know! Ah!-it's no use!-no
lsei L"
She fell to the floor so suddenly that
neither Dare nor the marquis was in time
to save her. 1t was Dare who lifted the
slight, insensible figure in his arms and
laid her down upon a couch. De PES
pare stepped to a window and flung it
open wide.
1--WE had better ring for her attend
ant" he said coolly. This affair cannot
be kept secret"
And before Dare, scarcely hearing his
words in his anxiety for Rosamond, could
be aware of his intention, the maid had
entered.
"Your mistress has tainted" said De
TEsparre. 1--WE leave her in your care.
Do not quit her for an instant. I shall
return presently. Will you accompany
me to my rooms, Mr.. InglesantT'
Dare looked up uneomphendingy
us it necessary for me to remind YOU,
sir, that your place is no longer here2"
Dare was not saint, but a man, whose
heart was wrung almost beyond endur
ance.
Il cannot so soon forget that an hour
ago | believed she was my own" he an
swered. ooh, Rosamond!"
For the blue eyes were looking into his,
and with the return of consciousness
came anguish.
81 am waitingl" said De PEsparre i'm
patiently.
1t was their farewell and they knew
it. Dare rose slowly from his knees,
moved to the door. and went out. De
lEsparre closed it.