The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-07-30

history or my early shamel was
not the victim only to mans perjury?
You would say, perhaps, I murdered
my little dead child. All Paris knows
that story. What verdict could any
fury bring in other than the old
Scotch verdict, Not provenT God is
my only Judge. Lay what crimes at
my door you viii. Of that my soul is
innocent. My baby died, 1t Is true,
but my hand is guiltless Of its blood.
Barbara Bretton's very memory is for
gotten here. 1t remains for you to re-
vive it at your cost"
What do you propose to do?" he
questioned.
"To force Travis Meredith into &C
knowledging me as his wife," she re-
plied-"if that girl with the gypsy face
has not made the task an impossible
one 10 lure him back to my feet Let
me do this, Milton Lennox-aid me in
becoming mistress of his heart and
homeland l will consider the debt be-
tween us Cancelled. Refuse, and you,
not I, will be the sufferer"
Though all the wrath Of all the fu-
ries were to be visited upon me, it
would make me hesitate no more than
| do now. No-a thousand times no!
It was my hand which brought this
thing upon my friend. By Gods help
it shall be my hand to assist him TO
carry his burden, il cannot lift 1t.
from his shoulders. 1t is war between
us, madam, TO the knife"
"Oh, no." she answered, again
laughing lightly. Women do not deal
in such arms. They have weapons at
their command more keen, more cut
ting, more incisive than any steel,
however tempered by the refiner's fire.
| am the challenged party, therefore it
is for me to choose the mode of war
fare. There was a time-ah, | have
not forgotten-when you would have
barred your breast to any blow my
hand might have dealt, when the lips
hurting denunciations at me spoke
only in low and honeyed words. They
sank, every one of them (smile If you
Will in my heart. Even had heart
then: it was for you to discover, to
resurrect it from the ashes Of the
Dead Sea fruit in which it was buried.
1t is for you to realize that each word
so spoken now rises Nemesis to over
take you and any thought Of your fu-
ture happiness. You refused awhile
ago the prefer made you of mutual
stand on neutral ground. So be 1t;
we but waste time in further parley,
and time is very precious, since Miss
Meredith awaits you. Leave me, l beg
you. and send my husband here"
She spoke with imperious dignity,
but at that moment the door opened
and Travis entered, his face haggard
and worn white with an awful pallor,
and lined with seams of suffering. In
a moment every line in his face was
again transformed.
She went toward him with both
hands outstretched, her eyes shining
through a mist of tears.
Travis" she said gently. the old
subtle perfume of yiolets filling the
room, "is 1t thus we meet again? On,
forgive me If l returned to mar your
happiness! / did it to save bitterer
wrong. Have you no single word Of
welcome for me?"
His face softened into a look Of
pity, remembering how and when he
had last seen the beautiful vision now
almost kneeling before him; but Len
nox's voice broke the spell.
Barbara, the actress!" he said
scornfully, Madam, you have left
the boards. Can you not now drop the
mask?"
Leave us!" she commanded, turn.
ing toward him. 81 would see my
husband alone 1t is my right de-
mand it," ...
"Yes-go, Milton!" Travis entreat-
ed. You need have no fear. am no
longer the boy to be made dupe, a
woman's plaything. Go, and send
Avice to-Florence!"
The last word came with a choking,
gasping sob. He saw his friend pass
out from the room, in obedience to
his wish, in what seemed to be cloud
of darkness. The whole room seemed
to fill with blackness, save one GEN.
ter spot Of radiance, lighted by the al
most unearthly beauty of a woman's
pleading face.