Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-08-20
TEMPTED!
By CLARENCE DANvERs -=ccc-2>-c=ccc-
By CLARENCE DANvERs.

would believe what they said. and he
had fed before the awful temptation
they had held out to him. He had said
IL. tie dared not look upon her face
again, lest he forgot his strength. and
fall.
Why had he not known the worth of
her love- she cried to herself, bitterly.
Why lad he not looked into her soul and
seen Tor himself that no poverty or mis-
fortune could sever her from him. that
even though he were the poorest outcust
lvlng. she would yet have given herself
ana ail her wealth wholly and happily
into his keeping for life
But he had gone, and God knew when
ne wonld return, if ever! And mean
time she had been held in another's arms.
her bps had been desecrated by an
others kiss-she, who would willingly
nave died rather than be Unfaithful even
in thought to himl
NJ TINS moment. Lord Duncan would
Lave fallen dead. had thoughts had power
to Kill She paced up and down excited
", wondering what was happening in the
library beneath
sudden fear chilled her heart. Her
father had gone to call to account the
man who had offended his daughter: he
had been full of deep and righteous
wrath, and when reused. he was not an
easy individual to settle with. More
over, Lord Duncan was not in a state of
responsibility; she recoiled at the re-
membrance-he was drunk. What might
not happen? Her ftaher was no longer
young, and in the hands of this infuri-
ated madman, he would be helpless.
As the moments went by and Lord
Berys did not appear, her anxiety IN
creased; and at last. reaching pitch
when she could bear the suspense no
more, she went down to the library.
She stood for a moment outside the
door, listening for her fathers voice, but
within all was silent as the grave.
Imagining the interview at an end.
and that the men had settled their diff
terences. Viola was about TO turn and
mount the stairs again, when a sudden
instinct made her open the library door
and look in.
There a horrible sight met her startled
gaze, for ON the floor lay the earl. her
| father, white and still. tiny stream of
blood trickling slowly along the parquet
! flooring from CHASTITY wound in the
/ side of his head
A hoarse cry came from her as she
darted forward and fell on her knees be-
| side the senseless form.
Father" she half shrirked. lifting his
head on to her arm; but he did not move.
My God! Is he dead? Speak to me,
father, tell me you are not dead!"
His lips opened and framed a reply.
but no sound issued from them. The
mere movement, however, was enough to
tell her that the worst had not happened
yet
A long, shrill call for help arose from
her, and presently she heard the welcome
noise of approaching footsteps in the
| hall. In another minute the room was
| filled with guests and servants, and the
unconscious earl was lifted to the sofa
! and given what assistance lay in human
power As well as she could, Lady Viola
told how she had come to find her father
in so desperate state, but at the first
words she interrupted herself with cry
"His murderer" she screamed, point
ing to the open French window; che
must not be allowed to escape. 1t is
| Lord Duncan. Follow him and find him
it is he who has done this cowardly
thing"
Ere she had finished speaking, she
rushed to the window and looked out
into the white night, the Others following
her with awe-stricken, scared faces.
| Look" she said, hoarsely; then. ere
! they could stop her she dashed out 20
the terrace with another dgonized cry.