Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-10-23
--------- - - =
> = : = .
CHAPTER XIX

mission, he dreaded to face his conStltu-
ents and admit how thoroughly he had
been routed, and consequently he yield
ed to certain sense of cowardice. But
the loneliness of the night and the fe-
rocty of the storm nothing daunted him;
indeed they conspired favorably to as
sist him in shaping his plans for the flu
ture, afforded him time and freedom to
think
Once dim consciousness of being
tracked assailed him; not that he posi-
lively heard a footstep; OH the contrary
st was merely that indefnable sense Of
human presence, that peculiar power
which a watching eye possesses to rouse
a sleeper from deep Inconsistencies. He
needed it so far as to turn and look be-
hind him; In fact, he paused until a re-
current fash illumined the sodden road,
but he saw nothing but the dripping
branches swayed by the soughing wind.
Had he taken the trouble to retrace
his steps short distance and glance in
at a darkling gateway, he would have
found the man, Camille, crouching there,
waiting to continue upon his mysterious
errand.
THE sound of the doctors football upon
the steps of the villa was the signal to
aVlFdCI LucIul SOuILidLuL ~ IHe NOol way
followed by Claire. The radiance of Il
lighted hall fell out upon Gresham's face
and dripping form. Ere query as to
the result of his mission could be framed,
he exclaimed, cheerily, addressing Claire:
"Come, come! You are violating my
orders by remaining up so late. You
should he snugly in bed and out OF this
miserable dampness."
nu+ ,1looIo1 Ctloiro Eboyx
could you expect me to retire without
seeing you? What have you to tell u.s.
What says the poor woman?"
81 have to tell you that l am drenched
to the skin and can't be expected to stand
here shivering," he answered, with a
forced laugh; "as to the poor woman l
have merely to say that you have seen
her for the last time; she will trouble
you no more. Now, away to bed With
you, and permit me to retire"
With an involuntary sigh of relief,
Claire went towards the staircase, but
paused and returned to the doctor.
You were gentle with her, were you
notT' she asked.
'As gentle as lamb" came the men
dacious reply.
And so poor Claire retired with n
lighter heart than she had borne in her
bosom for many q long day. Scarcely
had the hem of her flowing robe vanish
ed at the head of the staircase than
Gresham laid his hand upon Courtlandt's
arm, whispering:
"Oome with me into the library"
Instantly The transitory look of relief
upon the young husbands face vanished
and he turned deadly pale with appre
hension. The door being closed, he fall
aered:
"Well, what is 1t, doctor? You have
failed?"
"Signally," was the curt reply
"Well, out with it. What is it?" de-
manded Courtlandt, despairingIy
81 have failed! l did not half under
stand the person with whom l had to
deal She has worked herself into a
most unmanageable frame of mind, and
IS prepared to do anything
"What said she?"
Everything but the right thing"
"What does she insist uponW
1.-The custody of her child"
LucIan Courtlandt's face darkened and
me sank upon a chair.
"What are we to do?'
Gresham indull1ed in another of his
aggravating smiles.
''She proposes to kill herself unless
you come to her within an hour" he re-
piled.
1.-THE hour must have elapsed"
Eyes, by fifteen minutes" answered
the doctor, consulting his watch.
Courtlandt rose quickly and fixed both
ais hands firmly upon Gresham's arm.
''Do you think it possible that she can
Aave made good her threat?' he breath
ed.
"Bah"
Lucian Courtandt turned away with
an air of deep dependency. He paced
che room, frequently passing his hands
agitatedy through his hair, while his
palhd lips framed inarticulate words.
Presently he returned TO Gresham and
abruptly exclaimed:
al know not what to do You must d-
rect me- What must l dog
''You must see this woman tonight"
Tonight gasped Courlandt. in dis
may; see her tonight? To what end"
There is but one way of adjusting
this dreadful complication. You must
make concession
"What conceS Non!'
'Her child 1t is Fate's revenge"
Whatever anguished reply Lucian
Courtlandt might have made was sent
flying into the realms of the unknown
by shrek, distant but distinctly audi
ole to the two men.
The door was flung open, and with one
accord they burst into the hall to find it
wrapped in Stygian darkness. and while
they paused an instant bewildered, a
rushing sound as of feet rapidly descend
ing the staircase greeted them; the out
er door was violently slammed, then all
was silence.
At the door of the nursery they paus-
ed, transfxed with amazement A night
lamp burned dim!y in the empty fireplace
{eebly Illuminating the chamber, across
che threshold Of which Claire lay pros
srate in dead swoon. the train of her
snowy white robe soiled by the imprint
of muddy boot Martha Dunn. sudden
~ awakened from n sarrepttious nap,
was starting from her chair in dire
alarm, while, strangest of all, little Leon