Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-11-19
By CnAKLKa GARvIcn


Give me one more chance!" he ex
Claimed, earnestly; there is room
there" and he pointed to the door
leading to the dressing-room adjoir-
ing; "go in there and listen. You shall
hear and-and perhaps you will
believe. Go in quickly, and do not
speak until he has gone
Slowly, hesitatingly, she passed in,
and BERTHE, hurrying to the window
opened it and called to Lord Pont-
clerc, who stood on the steps.
"Halloo" responded his lordship,
looking up in surprise. rs that you,
BERTHE? What on earth are you dong
up there?"
Never mind. Just come up, will
your" said BERTHE, as lightly as he
could, seeing that his heart was beat
ing like a sledge hammer. Come UP
| here-second floor"
A minute afterward Lord Pontclerc
was heard ascending.
! What on earth" he began, but
Lord BERTHE cut in with laugh that
trembled and sounded hollow In
Joan's ear, as she stood with the doc
slightly ajar. her body leaning against
| the framework.
"Oh, my rooms are being done up
and I've moved up here for today
Sit down, will you?" and he went and
put chair with it's back to the door
murmuring as he did so, in a voice
just audible to Joan:
For heavens sake, not world"
And news?" asked Lord Pontclerc
Il feel confoundedly seedy. Dreadful
luck last night; I'm inclined to turn
up cards and take to the turf again
it's more amusing and a good deal
! more wholesome"
BERTHE laughed with the same make
believe carelessness.
Talking of the turf" he said, II
suppose Stuart Villiars Will keep a
stud now he has come into his pile.
Shouldn't wonder" assented Lord
Pontclerc, languidly. Lucky beggar!
Has any one seen him since he came
into the title?"
I've just seen him. replied BERTHE
Seems to be making himse +
scarce" said Lord Pontclerc. Away S
was a close sort of a fellow Never
half liked him. Mustn't say SO now,
though. There's some good shooting
at that place of his in Devonshire,
| isn't there?"
Yes" said BERTHE. II suppose
he'll marry and settle down now" he
added, keeping his voice as steady as
he could, but glancing at the slightly
open door; it waved little, ana he
knew that the girl he intended to save
was listening.
Yes, | suppose So" assented Lord
Pontclerc. He can pick and choose
now, | suppose, and marry well. lie
has n fine time of It! Gone the pace
as fast as most men, | should say, and
little faster. Been a good thing for
some of the women if he ha1r't been
quite such an Adonis,"
Bertie's heart seemed to stand still.
The critical moment was approaching
DO you think that he ever behaved
unfairly" he asked. slowly and
reach the next room.
Joan leant forward. her eyes fixed
CT the broad back of the man sitting
near her. as If she could drag a mega
tive from him.
Lord Pontclerc stared.
Il thought you were talking Of
Stuart Villiars," he said, with a sheer.
so 1t was said BERTHE, family.
Lord Pontclerc laughed in leisure
ly, sarcastic fashion.
Did he ever behave fairly?" he re-
torted, blowing the smoke from his
lips, You must have bad memory.
newsbury. Have you forgotten that
scandal about Lady George?"
"fou-you mean that he tempted
her to fly from her home with him?
"Of course. | do" assented Lord
Lord Pontclerc. Didn't Lord George
meet Nilliars at Calais, and exchange
otS?--a ridiculous proceeding now
Sdays-but Lord George was always
old-fashioned.''
Joan put her hand to her head and
clutched the edge of the door. Was
this some horrible nightmare-these
two voices speaking in this way of the
man she loved-the man she had
trusted?
And that is not the only intrigue
he has been mixed up with" said
BERTHE, slowly.
Lord Pontclerc laughed.
The only one, You might nut IL in
basket with half,a dozen others and
stll find some more to keep il com.
pany. | tell you that Stuart Villiars has
done more harm in that way than any
man in London Why. you know that
should think"
! White and trembling Joan put her
hand to her lips to crush back the cry
that seemed choking her.
All" said BERTHE. after pause :
land you think--look here. Pontclerk
| want TO ask your opinion. Supposins
mind. this is quite suppositious
easel say, supposing Stuart Vii
liars CHANGED to meet a young girl
N inOnranf no II