The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-06-18
CHAPTER lli.
lmpetuous Wooinu.

"iOhbhb sum
Shall warn him?" was the ques.
ton which perplexed him: cor shall !
let his passion run fits course? He
I would not be so mad as TO offer THIS
woman his namel and yet--and yet.
was | not guilty Of just such madness
until ! learned the fatal truth regard
Ing her? Truth? Rather should ]
say suspicion. If 1t were truth,
might tell him! AS a suspicion, have
I the right to blacken her fair fame?
and would he believe me on what
proofs might offer? Yes, II neces-
sary, must tell him--must save him,
at whatever, cost" = f..ss..s,
Meantime, she whose lovely pic
tured face smiled down on him as
though all unconscious of the purport
OF his words, sat in her boudoir, with
the bright MONDAY sun streaming in
though defying even its rays to detect
her thirty years.
The robe of violet-colored cashmere
the tiny cap, the exquisitely slippered
|. foot, made toilette worthy of low,
er's admiration; but this morning Bar
bara Breton had denied herself to all
visitors. A score Of cards already 10y
at her elbow, uppermost of which
(and accompanied by a basket of
choice flowers whose fragrance filed
the ROOM was that Of Travis Mere
dith.
"A good old name" she murmured.
. "If--Ah, Felinei" looking up as the
servant entered the room, you are
early. Is your report already nader"
II found 1t no difficult matter, my
lady. The young man is too well
known He is not yet of age, and has
but just returned from a years tour
abroad. after taking his degree here
at college. He is the only son and
heir of Henry Meredith, whose ft,-
tune of several millions viii be divid.
ed at death between this boy and his
sister, child OF some fourteen years.
and already beauty A rumor exists
that there is hope the intimacy be-
tween the families of Lennox and
Meredith may be cemented by her be-
trothal to young Milton Lennox, some
half-playful ceremonial having taken
place when she was in her cradle.
though he is many years her senior.
The mother has been long dead MIR.
Meredith, Sr., is in Paris, where the
daughter Is being educated. Any fur
ther information. my lady?p
None: you may go"
While the man had been present,
she had possessed her calmness, but
once the portiere had closed behind
him. she started to her feet. ~
,"And 1t is this child who is to come
between us, while | remain passive
and resign my all--she, the sister of
this man whom I must win! Little
did dream of the rich prize within
my grasp. Several millions! What
would be impossible. for me. then?
Hear me, all We powers that bel" rails,
Ing aloft her arms. Ere the sun sinks
three times to his rest, | will register
myself Travis Merediths wife! Then,
Milton Lennox, defy you!"
\ A low murmur OF admiration ran
drought the crowded theater as Bar
bara Breton, few hours later entered
In her assumed role.
Never had she looked more radiant.
One lightning glance she darted into
the box where tonight young Mere
dith sat alone. Was it his fancy that
look betrayed the hope that she might
find him there?
He sat as in a dream. At the close
of the third act a page brought him
a note. 1t ran:
81 am alone tonight. Will you not
sup with me? Ny carriage will await
us"
Had 1t been a summons from the
angels 1t could have afforded him no
greater bliss, He wrote back an i'm.
passioned and grateful assent, then
waited as patiently as he might for
the curtain TO fall.
ALI day he had been in a feverish
dream. His refusal Of admittance at
Barbara's door had driven him to
frenzy, her face had haunted him;
and now for one, perhaps two hours,
he was TO live in her smile.
What woncer that he betrayed
something of this as for an instant he
held her hand within his own? This
time they were alone in the softly
lighted room Even the valet mad
withdrawn. Again she piled his glass
with sparkling Moselle, again her eyes
lured him.
"You denied me this morning.
Cruel!" he said.
81 dared not see you'll" she answered
Dared not? Such words sound
strangely from your lips. | can imag-
Inc nothing you would not do or dare"
"Ah, am not so bold as you deem
me! I had seen you but few short
hours, and yet-must | confess .t?--I
could not forget you. You were q
stranger. I knew nothing beyond your
name. l fancied your friend. Mr.. Len
nox, looked upon me with GOODNESS.
did not know but perhaps he might
have poisoned your mind against me;
and know not why-it was OF course
weakness and folly" a suspicion OF
tears shimmering in the violet eyes
"the thought brought sadness /