The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-09-17
Barbara BretG,on's
o~Ambit,iono 9

have left me to die; they do not care.
Perhaps you may not, either. You
know where | am. They told me you
all knew. ! do not know myself, but
oh, shall count the hours until can
see you.
"Your unhappy --Avice.'
What could this letter mean? The
memory Of her dream swept over her.
II was she whom Avice had begged for
safety, but what could she do? How
powerless she felt! how hopeless it all
appeared
At that moment she spied Milton
Lennox on the boulevard. Quickly she
pulled the check rein and motioned
him to her side.
He read the note which she handed
him with knitted brow.
Gan you understand it?" she ques-
toned.
Clearly! Avice has been the vic
tim of plot. l see it all" he cried.
desperately, "and every moment is
time wasted. In some way, she is in
that woman's power. Give me that
note, Miss st. John; it may be Of serv-
ice to me- Before another sun rises
and sets, swear that l will find my
darling. Put me down here. To-mor.
row / will bring you news of her"
Calling car, as Miss st. Johns car
riage rolled out of sight, Milton gave
orders to. be driven to Barbara's house.
1t was Marie who announced his
presence to her mistress, whom she
found seated by the bedside of DR..
Hayes, whose wound was slowly heal
ing.
Barbara quickly rose, flush creep
Ing to her cheeks, new light into her
eyes, as she softly descended the
stairs to meet him. In her heart was
q glad triumph. IL In reality all that
had happened the night before had not
been dream--if 1t were true that Mil
tons search for his betrothed had
been through duty, not affection If
she might indeed win him back to her
standard-whss a new wonderful life
might be opening for her! She could
then drop the mask she had worn all
ing and counter-scheming and go
away with him to some land where
they could begin life together.
Her hand trembled as she pushed
away the portiere to enter. A sense
of almost shynass crept over her. 1t
was the one great passion of her life,
which all his neglect, his scorn, his
contumely had failed to kill.
He stood at the furthest end of the
room as she entered, his arms folded
across his chest; but her color faded,
the light died from her eyes as they
met the glance he fixed upon her.
The role he had assumed was odious
to him; he could not counterfeit 1t an
other moment. The honest nature OF
the man rebelled. In the beautiful
vision before him he saw Avice's be-
trayer, and his soul loathed her.
Milton" she said softly, what has
happened? All, it is for me to ask this
timei Have you no welcome for me?"
"Since | saw You know positively
that you have full knowledge of Miss
Meredith's whereabouts, and that you
deceived me when you denied it. Why
did you do this?''
In one moment Barbara's quick mind
understood that she must strike the
last blow.
81 did know. 1t Is true" she assent
ed; "but jealousy and fear of wounding
you kept me silent. The girls I'M
worthiness of the love l thought you
bestowed upon her was so convincing
that | thought 1t as well that you
should not know it. / told you
would ascertain for you is she wero
already married to DR.. Hayes; and, If
not, / would force him into righting
her. You may wonder how could do
this. Enough to say have done It.
Avice Meredith is now his lawful wife.
He is still very III and may not live.
She is in attendance upon his sick
bed"
Milton groane6.
"Shc is married to rim, them" ard
in his heart he added, "And lost to
mel What Nemesis is this that /
should have widowed her? Let me
see her Tell me where may find her,
and / will then leave Paris foreverI"
"She has been very i'll; the agony of
this hurt for time unseated her mind.
But perfect care and quiet will restore
it. Your presence would undo ALL"
Again quick suspicion crossed his
mind.
How do you explain this note?" he
asked, placing the missive Avice had
written with such feverish hope into
her hand.
'Barbara's face paled, but she re-
turned 1t smilingly.
at was one of her decisions during
her delirium. II went to her." she
added more softly, 'and in watching
her she perhaps thought me her jailef.
once thought to hate her because
ah. you know the reason, and l need
not pain my heart by the recital! But
that has all gone by. II was. you know,
your cruelty which drove me to It."
How much OF truth. how much OF
acting, was In her words. He deter.
mined upon one last effort.
Il tell you have sworn a vow to
see Avice. You say my presence will
I