Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-09-25

me to another are broken. but all the
same she Is the mother of my child. l
have ceased to love that woman, but
while she lives and leads an honorable
life I will not permit myself to love
again"
For an instant the naughty old lady
paused in intent thought; then vicious
smile crept into her steely eyes.
The approach of Camille with the
mornings mail curt short this interview,
and the pair separated, Lucian going in
the direction Of the stables, while Mrs.
Courtlandt retraced her steps into the
house. Left to himself, Camille crept
into the shadow of the beech tree, and
stealthily extracted letter from his
pocket.
Queer about this he muttered, I'M
folding the mssive, and mumbling over
it's contents: Had the invalid you at
tend already taken her passage for the
next world, you would now be sufficient
ly rich to go and live where you choose.
Your late Irregularities in Boston have
come to light, and are known to those
who have it in their power to crush you.
Consequently, it IN the advice Of an I'M
known friend not to delay longer, but
keep your eyes open to your interests.
An unknown friend! Bah! it can't be
pretty Mrs. Hastings; how could she
know that had ever set foot In Boston?
Whoever 1t is, they're on my track, and
the sooner give 'em the slip the better
With hasty glance about him, be drew
phial of colorless liquid from his inner
pocket and contemplated 1t with steady
scrutiny.
Small doses don't seem to be doing
the work." he muttered; ''she's stronger
than thought she was. Well, here goes
the whole for luck! Hit or miss, I've
got to nave my precious skinv
With the sinuous glide of a serpent, he
crept to the table, and with a hand made
steady by desperate resolution, he emp
tied the complete contents of the phial
into Claire's potion. For one instant he
stood, fascinated by the jewel-like bub-
bles that rose TREMENDOUSLY to the surface
Of the liquid and vanished; then sudden
ly he recoiled with n gasp of dismay.
"Camillcv'
The voice that anote his guilty car
was the voice Of his innocent victim. He
raised his craven eyes.
Claire, with a kindly smile upon her
lips, had entered the umbrage Of the
beech tree.
The sound OF his fair young mistress
voice set the guilty wretch to trembling
like an aspen leaf; and the better to con-
ceal his perturbation, he fell to shaking
up the cushions of the nyalid's chair.
rs it you, Camile?" continued Claire,
advancing with her eyes set upon the
handful of snowy blossoms she held, her
lips firm and white with decision; what
are you doing hereT'
IL was observation-disclosures me,
madam, L"
II have nothing to excuse, my good
man." came the calm rejoinder, each
word she uttered piercing the listeners
ears like darts barbed with fire; what
could | have to excuse in you, who are
all attention to my comfort? Since you
came to US | have never had the slightest
occasion to reproye YOU"
Madam is very good" fahered the
knave.
"And / can only thank you for all
that you have done for me-" she CON
cluded. evil you do me the favor to
ask DIR. Gresham to come to me for
minute? You will find him in the library,
think"
Yes, madam"
Ills hand was outStretched towards the
fatal cup, but it fell heavily at his side.
Camille bowed and quickened his steps
across the lawn towards the villa.
Perhaps she suspects" he said to
himself, conscience stricken.
Tho reckless wish found unexpected
fruition in the mind of Claire. She
watched the retreating figure of the man
with cleaning eyes, and as he vanished
into the house, she thrust the flowers
from her, and knottcd her pale hands In
her lap.
(To he continuedN