Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-03-18
CHAPTER III,

The sight of that familiar chamber, so
closely connected with all that pertained
to her luxurious girlhood, brought her
to the first full pause that she had expe-
rienced in the last three days of feverish
excitement. For the first time she found
herself face to face with the actual sit
uation. What had she done?
Married the man she loved. and so
we'll satisfied was she with the step she
had taken that she would have suffered
the agony of that ceremony again, within
the hour, to have made assurance doubly
sure. She was nervous. agitated, half
hystercal as she tremulously pressed her
finger tips upon her bosom, in order that
the crackle of the marriage certificate
concealed there might quiet her trepida-
ton.
The parchment was there, safe and
sound; the ring was upon her finger; she
was fairly married-yet what meant this
distressing doubt that assaled her? She
flung herself into an easy chair before
the toilet table and fell into a dispirited
reverie She wondered whether her
mother had any such strange, inexplica-
BILE misgivings upon her wedding night;
if she had, she pitied her. This was not
the happiness she had dreamed of, Sleep
ing; and fondly cherished, waking!
A passing step in the corridor smotc
her ear; she sprang to her feet and dart
ed to the door. Outside she found a ser
want hurrying along.
"Where is Diana? Why is she not
here to assist me?" she demanded, impe-
riously; "send her to me at oncev'
She closed the door and paused with
out turning-spell-bound as it were. Her
woman's instinct warned her that she
was no longer the sole OCCUPANT of the
chamber; another presence beside her
own was there! The door that commu-
nicated with her dressing room, and by
which her maid might have entered, had
not been opened; the Pickering of the
candles upon the toilet table betrayed
the secret. The window upon the veran-
da had been opened and had afforded en-
trance to-a man!
Yes, man; and what is more, she
knew who it was without turning her
head. Her hands knotted convulsively
as single word escaped her tightly COM
pressed lips.
"4ou!
"Yes-I," came the prompt, defiant
response in a low, harsh tone.
"Bow dare you force an entrance into
my chamber?" she cried.
Oscar Couramont smiled coldly as he
replied: "Softly-I have forced no en-
trance here; the window was not even
locked. Besides, have been at liberty
to come and go in this house as 1 saw
fit"
During my fathers life, yes; but
am mistress here now"
II do not see that that fact alters the
case SO far as am concerned"
MY husband shall answer that pointw
she cried, Indignantly, and turned to.
wards the door, when word of COM
mand arrested her.
stop! Where are you goingY'
ITO summon my husband"
docs he carry his firearms about
him?"
With thrill of horror, Sylphide re-
called the fact that, contrary to the CHS
tom OF the time in the, South Lucian
went unarmed and persisted in doing so.
IN spite of all remonstrance.
Aei Aom your nesltatl0n, c0ntin-
ued Couramont, coolly, that the man
you call husband does not carry re-
volver. But l do. Look at that!' And
with smart rap he placed a revolver ON
the corner of the toilet table.
Sylphide stared in baeful fascination
at the shining toy.
What would you do?" she easped
BLOW his brains out if he SETS foot
IN this room. I'm dead shot, as you
know. Lock both those doors, and sit
down there and listen to what have to
say to you"
ITO be COutfuuedl