Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-08-13
CHAPTER VII.
HER FATAL BEA UTY.

The morrow dawned, and life at Es-
tereourt went on as though nothing had
occurred to ruin its peace The dukes
absence was regretted, but not ques
toned, by his guests. Lord Berys' eX
PLANTATION had been perfectly natural, and
no one worried or became suspicious be-
cause their host had not yet returned.
Existence at Estercourt was too charm
ing, and the sun too hot, for anything
but indolent amusement, and SO the
party lounged about, silent, inert, lazy.
and full of delicious content, whilst Lord
Berys and Viola kept the secret locked up
in their anxious hearts.
Viola lived in state of suspense.
From hour to hour she looked for news,
and waited for one breath of suspicion
that would tell her the world knew what
her duped and unhappy lover had done.
But from her face no one could have
guessed that anything was amiss Even
Lord Duncan was deceived, and he grew
more desperate as the day advanced, be
ieving that his rival might return in
the evening, and that he would have to
be witness to the happiness he coveted
so bitterly. He sat on the lawn after
luncheon and drank lqueur after liqueur
with his coffee, until his brain grew hot
and dizzy
He talked little, but watched Lady
Viola as she chatted with the women.
He watched her moodily. He adored her
beauty madly and his eyes dwelt on it
msated. His love for her had been and
was the only love of his evil, empty life;
but it was a terrible love, and in its I'M
sa;sfed longing, bordered on a deadly
nate. There were moments when he
Gould have killed her for her pure. limo
cent, smiling happiness, when he could
nave struck at her to stir the calm beauty
from her face to a look of suffering
anything rather than the cool tranquility
that froze his burning soul.
She had refused and scorned him. but
TINS man, this stranger who had come
among them, should not have her-he
had sworn it, All day he pondered on it.
ana wondered what Smythe had meant.
now long would it be ere the duke was
thrown out of Estercourt and disgraced
Rciore the world! Well. he could afford
10 wait little while and meantme-he
"Hthed at the thought--he would have
70 congratulate Cecil. The hour was Es-
oeiconts, but it would be brief hour,
ana then--the day was his!
but dinner arrived, and Estercourt had
not returned. Lord Berys read out a
iohg telegTam-he had arranged so that
IL came during the meal-to the effect
mat the duke had been DELAYED by an
unforeseen incident. The illness of his
Hlend to whose death bed he had been
called had proved to be of very infec-
Ious order, and he dared not return to
HAtercourt whilst it was filled with
guests, lest he should bring the dreadful
.''ease amongst them. He begged that
g''S would remain as long as they were
,,'.>'osed, and implored their pardon for
'"s absence. lie had meant to be away
l.iF few hours, but Fate had willed
DtaeF"lse. and he could only apologize
1'4 trust to their goodness Of heart.
4 Ae message produced a profound i'm
l't''ion on all at the table. and many
ne lie expressions Of sympathy.
T. Eoof EsteTcourt! What hard lines !.
-.,Ee lie won't get I'll himself! What a
,-"c"ncnt to be in and so on.
40 one disbclieved the story. LORD
-eHean was so taken in by it that be
''H'''liy muttered feryant hope tina.