The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-06-18
bdrbdra Bretton's
.eeAmbit ;.
cHAprsR ,I.--contInusd.

flashed from the French woman's
eyes; the little, white teeth met upon
the lip until they drew a drop OF blood.
But. at that moment, the call hoy an.
nounced Miss Bretton's cue, and,
STOPPING. she adjusted her train as she
swept from the room on TO the stage
For a few moments the actress
seemed obliyious OF the audience on
her part: then again her eyes flashed
in the direction Of the box, and again
met the impassioned glance of Travis
Meredith, who now was seated where
he could devour her every movem snt.
His cheeks were flushed as II with
wine. He had forgotten time. scene,
place. in the ungovernable emotion
which had conquered him. No word
escaped his lips until the play was
ended; then he turned abruptly. TO his
friend Aeessa9s. efssssA'ts
Take me to her--youshaye prom,
fsed!" he said. !, .,xp. ~
Milton Lonnox smiled, drew slip
of paper from his pocket, and. writ
Ing few words upon It, dispatched a
messenger with 1t behind the scenes.
Presently the messenger returned.
Miss Bretton's compliments, and
she weird be happy 10 have any
friends OF Mr.. Lennox Join her at sup
per-"
''will you go. Dick? 1t is unneces-
sary to ask Travis"
For moment the surgeon hesitated,
then accepted, and In another half
hour the carriage containing the three
young men stopped at Barbara Bret
toms door.
For full Eve minutes they awaited
her entrance in the pretty little parlor
into which they had been ushered, but
of the countless articles Of taste and
rarity scattered about the apartment
Travis took no heed. His eyes were
fixed expectantiy upon the door until
they rested once more upon her beauty
Ia beauty which, thus closely scruti-
nized, seemed more wonderful than
when she stood upon the boards.
She had barely time to bid them
welcome, In her own gracious manner
Ia manner to which was added the
charm of modesty and refnement--
ere supper was announced, and the
doors thrown open leading to the din
ing room.
A small table, glittering with silver
and glass, was set for four. The host.
ess, taking her place at the head, mo
toned young Meredith 10 her right
hand--the same hand which ever re-
plenished his glass ere its contents
were half drained.
But tonight II was not the wine
which intoxicated him. A deeper
thought had gone to his brain He ate
little or nothing. but he quenched his
thirst with the sparkling liquid, and
his passion with the light from her
eyes.
From across the table Doctor Hayes
glance follawed every motion curious.
iy; but OF this Travis needed nothing,
until. as the clock upon the mantel
chimed one. his friends rose to their
feet. He was the last to bid his host
ess adieu. Fora moment he was alone
with her.
II may come again." he questioned
abruptly. mn
She darted seemingly surprised
look into his eager face.
You wish 1t so much?" she replied
"My life hangs on your answer"
She smiled. MNFa - 80 y
"Tt is young life to condemn so
easily. cannot be so cruel Yes, Mr..
Meredith, you may come"
For answer he raised her hand 20
his burning lips, pressed kias upon
q, then, with great wrench, tore him
self away. K#ff&
Alone, she fell back In an easy chair,
toying with her fan, dark perplexed
expression crossing the beautiful face.
"And has my power all gone?" she
questioned. He left me tonight with
out so much as pressure of the hand
he who but short month ago lived
but In my smile. He will warn this
boy, too, OF that dark spot in my past,
which has arisen, like ghost from
its grave to haunt me. thought It
buried forever, and 10! when, my hand
was outstretched to grasp at happi-
ness, its bony fingers shook It from
my grasp. But you do not yet know,
Milton Lennox, the woman whose love
you have dared throw back at her very
feet. You have some interest in this
boy. You watched him closely to-
night All, II he can but feed my am
bition, through him win be avenged"
Then, with sudden Thought, she
touched the silver bell at her hand.
In a moment a man noiselessly en-
tered and stood awaiting her COM
mands. It was the valet who had
waited on them at supper.
Feline" began his mistress, "the
gentleman who sat at my right to-
night Is stranger BY tomorrow at
this time let me be fully appraised of
all concerning him, and see to 1t that
there Is no mistake! If, In the mean
time, he calls. am not at home"
The valet bowed and withdrew.
Barbara rose, and, crossing the room,
regarded herself long and earnestly in
the mirror.
Thirty yearsl" she murmured at
last. Have they left their impressg
Even my maid dared taunt me to-
night! Can she suspect? or were her