The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-08-20
CHAPTER xix-con,Inued,


Silently DR.. Hayes drew a letter
from his pocket and handed IT TO her.
Yes, there was no installing that bold
chirography, she thought, as she took
the page from the envelope, addressed
to DR.. Richard Hayes, and read its
contents:
cit is to you turn, old friend, In the
bitter trouble which has come upon
me. You know the pride OF name and
race-the fact hat would tarnish
neither, let the cost to my own kap-
piness be what 1t may"
All, did not Avice remember words
of just such import uttered to her
words which at the time had passed
her by as idly as the summer wind,
but which now smote with the force Of
the hurricane upon her unprotected
face?
The letter continued:
ct have been shamelessiy, disgrace
fully imposed upon! The girl who. in
n few short weeks, was to have been
my wife, has no right TO tie name she
bears--is, in fact, nameless waif,
whom the generosity Of Mr.. Meredith
raised from obscurity. | can now I'M
derstand the reason of our early be-
trothal-the effort to continue the de-
ception upon the world. Thank God,
there is yet time to retrieve the mis-
take! That she is innocent of any
share In the imposition l firmly be-
iieve, but, none the less, cannot con-
sent to see her again. Will you under
take this task for me? Will you say
To her that know all, and, thought
will keep her secret, our engagement
8, of course, annulled? Do this for
me. my friend, and believe me, CRATE
fully, Milton Lennox."
All, Avice. was there no warning an
gel to tell you that not thus would
your lover have chosen his messenger
mot thus crushed the opening bios
som OF. content under his heel?
The handwriting she knew; further
than that she questioned nothing, as
she raised her haggard eyes to the
doctors face.
A great reward lay within the mans
coyetous reach: but drops of perspira-
,
he realized the full meaning Of all he
had undertaken.
He crumpled IN his grasp the letter
she had handed back
'My darling!" he exclaimed, did l
not tell you truly of his unworthiness?
have carried out the task he set for
me; but must so further. Avice, he
has discarded you'll sue at your feet
for but the crumbs whose fullness you
would have showered upon him"
"Hush" she commanded. 'You are
very good. / see Ii all now. Forgive
my injustice toward you; but what
you speak of can never be! Three
years of my life | spent in a convent
school. They were happy years. The
mother and the sisters there loved
1e; they will not refuse me adm.
lance now to their walls In my anguish
and despair"
"But your brother-he will oppose
this plan"
''He shall not even know 1t until too
late. This very night | shall leave
this roof forever, to hide my sorrows,
Mt least, perhaps under the nuns veil"
A flash Of triumph shone In the
mans eyes. The difficult problem was
adjusting itself
AS you will, then, Ayice At least,
dear, you will find rest and peace, and
perhaps-perhaps in time, l may win
my reward. But there is one great
favor would ask at your hands The
Journey to the convent is a long one;
you are untitled for travel Will you
accept, at least my professional aid,
and let me be your escort thither?"
The girl put one weak hand to her
throbbing temples, as she rose weari-
ly.
II wish could better reward your
true and noble friendship" she said.
II shall be glad indeed IL you will
grant me this last favor and give me
your protection on this Journey"
II will meet you, then. at the rail-
road station promptly at o'clock this
evening" he answered. "The train
starts at fifteen minutes after; buff
you change your mind"
II shall not change my mind-I shall
be there"