The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-09-10
CHATTER xxIx.-continued.


on which men hang their souls! But
money does not always buy women's
hearts or unseal women's tongues. ]
have warned you not for gain, but to
show you the only way po tible for
you to achieve your end II you really
loved this girl, you would not hest
tate"
II love her so well that would hes
itate at nothing, but Barbara surely
would discover this sham, this part.
"a woman who loves madly is blind.
She would be delirious with happiness
and doubt would have no place with
her."
'But you, who are in her employ
II money is not your object, why do
you turn traitor to your mistress?"
The French woman laughed.
II turn traitor? Monsieur, when the
rattlesnake is bitten by one of its kind
the poison, deadly to others, is in itself
harmless. Can one play traitor to a
traitor? ! do not love madame, my
mistress. said women who loved
risked all for that love. How Is it,
tuSh, Luihh JOub Win muAhSA "hc
hate?"
In tone of deadly, concentrated
passion she asked the last question
and Lennox realized that in all she
said, so deep was her hidden motive it
was at least worthy of the effort, dis
tasteful, almost impossible, as 1t was
to his open, honest nature to carry out
her designs.
You have shown me the way" ne
raid at last" Now show me the means.
How shall approach madame?"
"Let her approach you Cail upon
her on some obvious errand. and If,
rs heretofore, she tries her wlles upon
you, do not grow hardened, but let
them seemingly tese effect"
And aAyiee~-is she safe? For Gods
sake tell me. and relieve the suspense
that Is consuming mel"
"Ah, Monsieur, consult the doctor
rs to the welfare of madame, his
vife!" retorted Marie, with a little
mocking laugh, gliding away as she
spoke, and hastily traversing the
street with swift graceful tread
He made movement to follow her,
but checked himself.
Bah! How could he know she was
rot In lnadame's employ? What more
likely? But one thing barred this be-
lief-the tone In which she had said
"How is 1t, then, think you, with wom-
en- who hate?"
But he had other business on hand
Just now. He must seek second for
to-morrow's duel. Travis Meredith
would be most fitting, since he fought
It for Ayice's sake; and should he fall,
Travis could ayenge her still.
Milton had not seen Travis for forty.
eight hours, and now fastened to his
house and found him sitting. detected
iy. in his library, his head upon his
folded arms; but he spang up with
faint smile of welcome at his friends
entrance.
ANY news?' he asked eagerly.
"None, my boy, except have goad.
ed that villain to challenge. and you
must be my second"
with all my heart. When and
where did you see him? Does he re.
fuse TO speak? Milton. let me take
your place-let me avenge her firstp
mo, no! am the one. But who
knows, Travis. We may be robbing
her of the only comfort life now has In
store for her"
True! Oh, how intricate Is this
problem! But yet, Milton, we cannot
both live and let him walk the earth
without wringing this secret from him.
II all were we'll ne would not refuse to
answer us. We are not brutes that
Avice need fear US. Why does he not
say boldly, She IS my wife, and give
us the certificate OF their marriage"
"That Is true. 1t takes away The
last lingering doubt remaining In my
mind"
Then, as concisely as possible, Mil
ton reconnted the interview with Ma
RE, and the singular plan she had pro
posed to him.
Barbara loves your" Travis said.
amazedly
''She once loved me, believe, but
that she still loved me never dream
ed. AS 1t Is, believe 1t to be more
hate than love. more baffied vanity
than affection"
''But II che In reality knows OF Av-
ices disappearance. can we reach her
in no other way? Can we not force
her to divulge what she knows?"
Il fear not. But wait until to-mor
row; much win depend upon its Sc
Quel!"
1t was daybreak ere the two men
separated, 1-st Milton having sent to
his rooms and the messenger return.
ing with the expected challenge in due
form, naming the time and place. The
duel was to take place at sunset, just
out of Paris at quiet spot, where
they might be secure from the myr-
midons of the law
Both Milton and Travis had ar
ranged their worldly affairs. for both
had determined that Richard Hayes
should answer to them equally Cor
their mutual wrong.
Let him but tell them where Avfce
was. let her but plead for his life. and.
he might go scot-free; but otherwise
they avenged her silence.
The day wore slowly on to It's close.
The pla0 chosen was Z thick wood,
through which sang little murmur-
1xx.~ "a.