The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-07-16
CHAPTER TX.
A ThrlIIlna interview.

last echo had died away the door OF
Barbara Bretton's boudoir noiselessly
opened. as Feline noiselessly entered,
bearing In his hand Milton Lennox,s
card.
IL will see the gentleman here" she
assented, languidly; "and. Felix, ~
DR.. Hayes calls, desire him to return
In an hour"
The valet bowed and withdrew One
glance she took about the room, y then,
secure from preying eyes, she pressed
her lips passionately upon the soulless
piece of pasteboard her Servant had
Just handed her. a.
What could have brought him, by
appointment. at this early hour? Could
Travis have betrayed her secret?
Even so, was she not secure at any
cost? and TO see him. was II not hap
piness enough without stopping to
measure the why and wherefore?"
Monsieur Lennox!"
Feline's perfectly trained tones thus
MuHOuuCSu UeT T.
One moment Lennox stood on the
threshold OF that exQuisitely dainty
room. his eyes resting spellbound en-
the central fgurs
Over q robe of blue she wore gar
ment Of sheerest lace. whole, but half
defining her perfect form; foot fault
less in shape with It's tiny slipper and
azure silken dress half-peeped from
beneath its hem. Her lips parted In a
smile Of welcome; one little hand lay,
white and soft, upon the cushioned
arm Of her chair. What wonder that
she reigned queen royal over men s
hearts!
But she had slain his friend--it vas
this sudden thought which chased
away the momentary softening from
Milton Lennox's face. and brought tho
ftern lines about his mouth, and look
of pittiless determination into his
eyes, as, carefully closing the door be-
hind him. he approached her.
She stretched out the tapering, Jew
eled fingers in welcome; but there was
TO answering movement of the gloved
hands tightly locked behind him.
MADAM" and at something In his
tone new TO her ear, she started, II
cannot claim your welcome as a
friend. since come only as another's
messenger
WAnd can Mr.. Lennox doubt his vel
come, let his errand be what Il may?'
Musically sweet rang out the question,
as her dark eyes searched his face.
81 ask no welcome" he replied un-
relentingly-"nay, more, wish none.
Madam, may I inquire whether 1t Is
q customary thing for brides thus 20
spend their wedding day?'
"Ahl" dangerous fire now leapirg
into his eyes; then your friend has
already told you OF my compliance
with his urgent entreaty that | should
become his wife before sailing"
81 have already made another call
this morning, madam. upon the clergy
man who performed the ceremony
He. It seems, had known Of the affair
even before the expectant groom-ln
fact, the bride had inclosed his fee
Under such circumstances 1t Is scarce
ly remarkable that my friends elc
qucnce was successful. In his case Il
might have been not unity termed
golden eloquence!"
Sir, you insult mel"
mo, madam. but am here to throw
aside the mask OF conventionality and
meet you face to face. No. do not
summon your servant by that silver
hell. AS said before, am a messen
ger. A bride refusing to hear a mes
sage from her bridegroom OF scarce
twenty-four hours! What miracle 1:
this? But a truce to idle talk. Tel
me, have you ever seen this paper be
fore?"
Proudly. unfalteringly, her eye rest
cd on the column he laid beside her
but In reality sea Of darkness swan
before her. Save In that first instant's
glance. which told her all, no word
penetrated her brain. But with bent
head shs forced back her self-posses
zion, OF which momentary losing she
had given no outward trace
"And you and he believed this lie?'
she said, after moments pause.
1--WE know IL to be true" Lennon
answered calmly. you have been Q
wife, q mother, yet he married you
supposing you a young and innocent
girl. He was your tool. your dupe
And why? Because he was the heir
TO wealthy and dying father; be
cause by his name you hoped to re
deem your own; because he could give
you the means to crafty your ambi
lions. In Gods name. had you nc
heart, no conscience, that you could dc
this thing?"
"You dare to put to me that ques
tion," she answered, starting to hel
feet. Conscience? No, what have
such as I to do with conscience? THAI
is for little children that pray at theil
mothers knees. But heart? Yes. {
heart you toyed with as your play
thing. Yes, Milton Lennox, for ono,
IN our lives wa will lay aside the mask
not alone OF conventionality, but o.
our inner selves. A few months ago
yor loved me. All, do not deny IL
The rapture then felt was real.
dreamed Of better. holier things. ever
Cor me. In the dark, silent watches o.
the night would determine to tell yot
all my life, but with the morning.