The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-08-27

4 Ia
her life?" she asked.
But neither agitation or fear was
in her voice, while a slight smile play.
ed about the corners of the exquisitely
curved lips.
YES" he answered, there Is dan
ger to both life and reason. When
she first thoroughly realized her posi-
ton she swooned away. II was long
before | could restore her to conscious
ness. When l at last succeeded, a
burning fever ensued, which has last.
ed at intervals ever since, attended
with delirium. When the fever leaves
her. she lies utterly PROSTATE and de-
spairing. II is impossible for this
state OF things to continue. One of
two things must follow-madness or
DEATH"
she is young, she is strong. You
overestimate the danger. Besides" a
sudden energy creeping into her tone,
at any cost-Richard, do you not re-
member my words Pat any cost my
end must be gained. do not poison
| this girl, neither do / stab her, or send
a bullet into her heart IL she is i'll. it
is the fever, not |, that is to blame.''
Nay, Barbara, you hold in your
hand the remedy, without which all my
skill ayails nothing. My darling. give
this all up, and trust TO me to make
your future happiness!"
! "Never!-you hear me?-never!
Though trampled upon this girls
body to reach my goal, l would not
hesitate. What is she to me, save an
| other link in a past which tortures
me? | hate her! She, too, has crossed
my path. She suffers. am glad; let
her suffer!"
Barbara
Her listener stood aghast. Never
had the woman before shown so much
of the inner passion consuming her.
His voice restored her calm.
She glided to his side and laid her
head upon his shoulder, her hands
clinging to his arm. II was an un
wonted act of demonstration.
MY friend-my only friend" she
murmured low, forgive mel On,
Richard, do not Judge me so harsh as
l seem, but you alone know something
OF my agony in these years. | do not
fear this girls death; she will live on.
Besides, what good would 1t do to re-
store her to her home? She is be-
lieved to have eloped with you. They
would not receive her. Wait but a 1T
tie while; then, If you wish, we will
advise them at the convent OF where
she is and let its walls open to re-
ceive her forever
Monsieur Lennox, my lady, Is be-
low and desires few moments with
you" interrupted Feline at the door
What can have brought him here?"
Barbara questioned aloud, yet speak
ing only to herself. ''Wait for me,
Richard. | must know what they sus-
pect; then will rejoin you"
The man, thus commanded, sank
heavily back in his chair, an express
sion OF anxious pain and perplexity
upon his brow, while Barbara's silken
skirts rustled across the soft carpet
and down the stairs to the draw ug
ruUfn -
With a smile on her lips and eyes,
she went forward to greet him who
stood awaiting her with arms tightly
folded upon his chest.
Mr.. Lennox," she said, "this Is a
most delightful surprise"
That 1t Is a surprise, madame,I can |
hardly doubt 1t must indeed be an
urgent necessity which would induce |
ms to cross your threshold. Need I |
name the necessity IN words? You |
once threatened me, madame, long |
years ago. 1t was an ignoble, an I'M
generous threat. You said you would |
strike through me at the girl loved. |
You have done so. now throw my |
self upon your mercy and ask her back /
at your hands"
A surprised, bewildered expression
passed over the beautiful face.
Il am very sorry" she said, broken
ly. Il believe, in a moment OF passion,
l may have uttered words Of such I'm.
port, but-what do you mean? Ex-
plain yourself"
81 mean that l am confident you
know of Miss Meredith's whereabouts
and are in a measure responsible for
them-I mean that at any cost | Will
discover whtre she isl mean the man |
who has decoyed her from her home
shall give to me his life as a forfeit
unless her lips pray to me to spare
him, her heart prove his shield"
Milton, you wrong me-" she an
swered, in broken tones. "True. In a
moment of angry passion, OF outraged
love, thus spoke. But could you
think my resentment would thus last?
Has it not burned out in all this fire
Of passionate misery which has since
consumed me? / am sorry IL new
grief has come to you. Believe me, I
would convert it into happiness II /
could"
Both were standing. She drew a
step nearer as she spoke, her eyes
resting with seemingly a divine pas
sion on his face. One hand she laid
lightly on his arm. 1t was her last,
effort to waken in him one
spark of the old tenderness.
He drew back; her hand dropped,
and she knew that she mad failed for
ever.
You refuse, then, TO tell me any
thing? You would have me believe
.haf a.. Z ,