The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-09-24
CHAPTER xxxIv.
A Haven Of Refuge.


No further word was spoken be-
tween Avice and her former maid un-
I'll they reached the outer door, when
Marie handed her hat and wrap and
made her quickly assume them.
At the corner of the street Cab
stood in waiting. Marie gave the word
of command to the coachman, then
took her seat beside the trembling
girl
"Have no fear" she said reassur-
ingly. IL take you to your friends"
ALIAS, | have no friends" Avice re-
piled, and sank back, respondent.
The carriage stopped before large
and elegant house. There was about
il to Avice a familiar air, but she
could remember little. Marie threw a
veil over her features.
Come with me, she said, and in a
few minutes they were admitted into
the house.
Florence st. John sat alone in her
dressing room, when a shadow dark
ened the threshold She glanced quick.
ly up, but started with JOY as she rec
ognized the red hair and familiar spec
tacles Of Avice's maid-Marie having
again assumed her former disguise.
But to Miss st. Johns amazement the
maid, drawing near, quietly removed
the wig and glasses, thus disclosing
rather pretty face, though robbed,
seemingly, Of ten years of its exist
snoe. What did this masdaerading
mean?"
"You bring me news of Miss Mere
dith?" she cried excitedly.
Marie bowed in acquiescence.
ooh, tell me, is she safe and well?"
Eyes, mademoiselle, both safe and
well, so far as safety to the body. but
she has been very Ill, and her mind
has not yet regained its balance
Where is she? Take me to her!"
"Nay, mademoiselle. have brough'
her to you"
But at that moment white face, so
worn, SO changed, that Florence could
scarcely recognize 1t, glanced in at the
open door, and piteous voice said:
"Have you, too, cast me OFF,
Then she opened wide her arms, and
Y Avice fell sobbing into their embrace.
When she turned to look for the
woman Marie had gone. No trace Of
the maid remained. but Avice was
with her, living personalities.
who had come to her first in her
dream, but now in very truth-Avice,
yet not Avice. What must the girl
have suffered to have brought about
this fearful change?
"Avice, my darling" she said, gen
fly, where have you been? oh, we
have had such cruel search for you'll"
Where have | been?" Avice an
swered, YEARLY, II do not know. And
you have searched for me? Oh. Flor
ence. they told NE you had cast me
off forever!"
Cast you off! Who told you? What
do you mean?"
II do not know" Astce again an
swered II know nothing Florence,
have been mad. Do you think am SO
still?"
mo. my darling-a thousand times
no! You are back with us once more
You will bave rest and quiet aud all
will be well. l will send for Travis
and Milton to come to us at once.
"No, mol" the girl chung TO her inSar
agony of terror Travis If you will
II you must--he was, remember, te
have been your husband; but not Mil
ton. 1t was he who wrote me tha
cruel letter. have 1t yet here" point
ing to her heart. 81 never want to see
him again. Promise me that you will
not send for him.
II promise you. dear, anything; bu
what letter do you speak of? show 4
to me-"
Avice shook her head.
"It was the truth" she said, sadly
shut would not have held him to hi.
promise. He might have trusted me-
Gnconsciously she used the very
words he had employed in reference
TO her, In his interview with Barbara
Florence rose and, crossing to hel
writing table, penned a few hasty
lines. which she addressed to Travis
Meredith, then, ringing the bell. she
dispatched them hastily by her serv
ant.
Avice had sunk back, pale and list
less, upon the couch.
Trembling with excitement Miss st
John awaited the return Of her mes
senger.
An hour passed slowly away Avice
had fallen into a dreamless sleep; the
long lashes lay on the marble cheeks
sigh now and then futtered from be
tween the parted lips. but the bloom
and brightness had fled from the young
and exquisitely lovely face.
Would they ever return to It? Was
there happiness in the wide world
Florence asked herself. remembering
how short while ago both she and
Avice were butterflies dancing in the
sunshine Of to-day. ignoring the exist
ence of the storm Of tomorrow. until
poor little nuttering motes--it had
burst upon them, and the bright col
ors of their wings trailed In the rain
beaten to earth-until, heavy with its
accumulation, they could no longer
soar, but droop and die. Was there
Ne urfnaca IN fha world ~ had ou1v