Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-09-17

See you.
Your unhappy -Avice.
What could this letter mean? The
memory OF her dream swept over her.
It was she whom Avice had begged for
safety, but what could she do? How
powerless she felt! how hopeless it all
appeared
At that moment she spied Milton
Lennox on the boulevard. Quickly she
pulled the check rein and motioned
him TO her eide.
He read the note which she handed
him with knitted brow.
"Can you understand it?" she ques-
toned.
Clearly! Avfce has been the vic
tim of q plot. l see 1t ALI" he cried,
desperately, "and every moment is
time wasted. In some way, she is in
that woman's power. sGive me that
note, Miss st. John; 1t may be of serv-
Ice to me. Before another sun rises
and sets, I swear that I will find my
darling. Put me down here. To-mor-
row | will bring you news of her"
Calling a car, as Miss st. Johns car
riage rolled out OF sight, Milton gave
orders to be driven to Barbara's house.
IL was Marie who announced his
presence to her mistress, whom she
found seated by the bedside of DIR.
Hayes, whose wound was slowly heal
Ing.
Barbara quickly rose, a flush creep
ing to her cheeks, a new light into her
eyes. as she softly descended the
stairs to meet him. In her heart was
a glad triumph. IL In reality all that
had happened the night before had not
been a dream--if it were true that Mil
tons search for his betrothed had
been through duty, not affection If
she might indeed win him back to her
standard-whss a new wonderful life
might be opening for heri She could
then drop the mask she had worn all
these years-could cease this schem-
ing and counter-scheming, and go
away with him to some land where
they could begin life together.
Her hand trembled as she pushed
| away the portiere to enter. A sense
Of almost shynass crept over her. II
was the n great passion of her life,
which all his neglect. his scorn, his
contumely had failed to kill.
He stood at the furthest end of the
room as she entered, his arms folded
across his chest; but her color faded,
the light died from her eyes as they
met the glance he fixed upon her.
The role he had assumed was odious
other moment. The honest nature of
the man rebelled. In the beautiful
vision before him he saw Avice's be-
trayer, and his soul loathed her.
Milton" she said softly, what has
happened? All, it is for me to ask this
time! Have you no welcome for me?"
"Since I saw you / know positively
that you have full knowledge OF Miss
Meredith's whereabouts, and that you
deceived me when you denied 1t. Why
did you do this?"
In one moment Barbara's quick mind
understood that she must strike the
| last blow.
81 did know. II Is true" she assent
ed; but jealousy and fear of wounding
you kept me silent. The girls un-
worthiness OF the love / thought o
bestowed upon her was so convincing
that Y thought 1t as well that you
should not know 1t. / told you I
would ascertain for you is she werc
already married to DIR. Hayes; and, ii
not, I would force him into righting
her. You may wonder how | could do
this. Enough to say I have done 1t.
Avice Meredith Is now his lawful wife.
He is still very III and may not Tvs.
She Is in attendance upon his sick
bed"
Milton grcaned.
"Shc is married to Dim, then?" and
In his heart he added, "And lost to
me! What Nemesis is this that +
should have widowed ner? Let me
see her. Tell me where | may find her,
and ! viii then leave Paris f~oreyer!"
"She has been very Ill; the agony OF
this hurt for a time unseated her mind.
But perfect care and quiet will restore
it. Your presence would undo ALL"
Again a quick suspicion crossed his
mind.
How do you explain this note?" he
asked, placing the mlssive Ayice had
written with such feverish hope into
her hand.
Barbara's face paled, but she re-
turned It smilingly.
1T was one Of her delusions during
her delirium. Il went to her. she
added more softly. and in watching
her she perhaps thought me her jaiief.
| once thought to hate her because
ali, you know the reason, and | need
not pain my heart by the recitall But
that has all gone by. 1t was, you know.
your cruelty which drove me to It"
How much OF truth. how much Of
acting, was In her words. He deter