Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-07-09
CHAPTER vlI.--cont;nued.


'Teli me, then, that / may prove
them false--nay, show you how you
wrong her!" exclaimed Meredith, re-
Stunning his seat, and refoiding his
arms across his breast.
six months ago entered my box
at the theater 1t was the first night
OF Barbara Bretton's engagement.
Some OF the fame of her beauty had
preceded her. but as my eyes fell on
her that night all praise paled in the
reality. Night after night Toasted on
her loveliness. Each night some out
ward evidence of homage fell at her
feet Weeks passed before could
obtain an introduction to her. sought
It in vain. At last she granted my re-
quest, and permitted me to be brought
into her presence. From that hodr |
thought loved her. She fascinated
me as no other woman had ever done.
] was even mad enough to dream of
asking her to become my wife--I, who
all my life had put the child for -wnom
was waiting before all other women.
Then--how, it matters not--was laid
before me the story Of her past. Ana
such past! shrink back Mortified.
appalled,! Travis, will you force me
into telling more! Will you not spare
me and yourself? You will forget this
siren when the ocean rolls between
you"
Speak on! | am waiting,' Travis
answered sternly.
AS you will, then. Listen. AT
sixteen Barbara Breton left her quiet
country home in England. stealing
from the old farm house in the night.
At the same time there disappeared
from the neighbcrhood young man
who had been spending there in idle
ness the summer months.
Doubtless her beauty had attracted
him and he had found her too easy
victim TO his willy tongue The sequel
of their sudden fight was but teo
plain. They had gone together. This
was proven later by the fact that they
had been seen together In Paris. she
calling herself his wife.
"Her mother. bowed with shame,
sank into the grave Her father cursed
her and swore that, though she starved
at his very doors, they should not open
to receive her. Months passed OH.
her child was born. She concealed
the fact from every one until, when
1t was three months old, she deter,
mined to make the stage her profess
sion--to leave her native land aud
come here whore she was unknown
ITO do this she must bury every
trace of the past. The young man had
long deserted her--was soon to lie
married to another, woman in his
own rank of life The childt This
was the stumbling block
with such a woman there gould he
no hesitation. With her own hands
she administered drug to the Sleep
ing babe, then, at night. carried 1t 10
die on the steps OF La Madelaine,' fan
cying her secret secure. The child
was found--iead. Inquiry was made.
1t was traced to her door. Che was sS
rested. Witnesses were found who
proved that che had purchased the
poison: others who had seen her steal
from the house with the infant in her
arms.
fortunately for her no trace Of
poison was found in the child's stom-
ach, and the verdict rendered was
death from exposure; so she escaped
the felon's cell. Since then her life
has been without hope as without re-
morse--smbition and greed her gods.
Many a man has gone from her fatal
loveliness To send a bullet through lsiss
brain, and she has read his death SEN
tence with a laugh--aye, as she would
read mine or yours!
Travis, my eyes were opened In
time to the abyss on whose fower-
etrewn brink stood. From such a
fate would sage you. What have you
TO say now?"
"To say? To such columny there
can be but one answer, come 1t from
friend or foe!' shouted TRAVIS. his
voice hoarse with passion. springing to
his feet and darting forward one
swift blow.
"But ere Ii descended Milton Len
nox caught and held the uplifted arm
in his own strong grasp. while the two
men, each white as marble, looked un-
dinchingly into each others eyes.
CHAPTER VIII.
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