Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-10-16

CHAPTER XVIII.
By MRS. ALICE P. CHARLESTON


the Newport villa quiescent. Not that
they fancied that they had seen the end
OF their troubles not that they dreamed
That the raging Nemesis who pursued
Them would relent and hide her diminish
cd head but they had arrived at an un-
aerstanding and were at peace among
themselves.
Whatever might happen, Claire had
found her way to her husbands heart,
and Lucian was at rest, having declared
ais love. Side by side they sat upon the
wide veranda, watching the lurid sunset
ahat presaged storm. Suddenly Claire
shuddered and nestled closer to her COM
panion, while his protecting arm encir-
eled her yet more tightly.
''What is it, darling? Are you cold?'
sae asked gently "Shall we go in?"
mot yet" came the whispered re-
sponse; II could not bear the sitting at
mosphere of the rooms. Let us remain
mere as long as we can-until the rain
comes"
"As you will, only do not tremble So"
81 cannot help it, Lucian. Do not think
me ungrateful but-but l have doubted
your love SO long that Il"
''Oh, Claire!" he interposed, reproach-
fully, chat you doubt it still?
mo, no! Not quite that, but | think
of that terrible woman"
81 do not wish to think Of her." he
replied, gloomily.
But she boldly boosted that she came
aere armed with three years of pasIon-
ate love. Lucian, is it true!'
Eyes, it is true, but my love has chang
ed: need | tell you so again? DO you
compel me to swear it before you can be-
7ieveY'
mo, l am satisfied, but do not blame
me If I am over jealous of you; 1 love
you So and 1 feel my inferiority to that
splendid, wicked creature"
He drew her into his embrace, and,
Sending his head, pressed burning kiss
upon her brow.
Foolish little hearth he murmured,
sndulgently. "You are as far superior to
her as the sun is superior to the moon.
as an angel to a sinful mortal!'
mo, nor' she said, with surprising
Srmness, "let there be no comparison be-
tween U.S. I believe that unhappy woman
to be more sinned against than SHINING.
She has been the victim of Fate, as we
have all been so let us not blame her.
since we know not how we should have
acted had we been similarly placed"
Il shall never see her." he replied
stoutly.
Not even if she sent for you and be-
sought you to come to her?'
mot even then"
AS though envious fate sought to test
Ais firmness, DR. Gresham at that mo-
ment appeared upon the piazza with a
letter in his hand. Though the cleaning
had fallen thickly upon the earth, they
both noted the CHASTITY presence of the
nissiye, and a minatory thrill of alarm
shot through their hearts.
"A letter for you, Lucian," observed
She doctor, affecting an unconcern which
ho was far from feeling; "the messen-
ger who brought it said that it was inn
operative, so perhaps you had better step
inside to the light and read it wide i
Aave a chat with my patient"
Cleverly planned, doctor, but not quite
eleverly enough to hoodwnk a woman's
anstinct Lucian Courtlandt had risen
as Gresham ceased t0-speak, but ere
he could take step, Claire laid fast hold
of his hand.
"Lucian" she cried, warningly.
He turned and assisted her to rise.
Come with me-" he said; Sin future
anye no secrets from YOU"
And in spite of the admonishing glance
dealt him by the doctor, he led his wife
into the library, where shaded lamp
burned. There he broke the seal, with
Claire beside him. The missive proved
TO be passionate appeal from Sylphide
Couramont to come to her, for the last
time if it must be, but to come to her
FOR Justices sake.
II shall not GO" Courtlandt said, with
measured firmneSs. However, there is
no reason why Gresham should not go in
sly place, if he considers it expedient."
The doctors cunning eyebrows knitted
Sarkly for a moment; then he exclaimed,
with sudden decision:
YES, | will 60 and see her; but /
warn you both that if l go l shall not
handle her with gloves. l shall state the
case so plainly to her that I think she
will not occupy false position in the
future"
His words implied so dark q threat
that Claire glided to his side and aaid
her hand upon his arm as he was about
40 leave the room.
Doctor" she said, the purity of her
soul within shining in her eyes, what
ever you may deem it best to do or say,
bear in mind that she is woman, that
however we may regard the case, she has
been wronge6, and be as lenient as you
Gan"
depend upon me to be as lenient as
Ithe cese requires" was the quiet reply;
~ have managed affairs thus far to my
satisfaction: l do not think l shall slip
RP In the eleventh hour
And with these words he took his hat
and left the villa, while lurid fash of
lightning illumned his slender figure, as
# vanished amidst the shrubbery
In retired street of old Newport,
where dense, interlacing trees shrouded in
deep shadow the unpretentious houses,
Eylphide Couramont had secured lodgings
Iupon the first floor the windows of which
opened upon a wide. dark piazza, that