The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1904-02-06
CHAPTER Xxx.
The Forged Letter.

CHAPTER XIX.
The Forged Letter.
"Dr. Richard Hayes" It was his
card Avice Meredith held in her slen-
der hand a few mornings later, with
the knowledge that he whose name it
bore awaited her presence in the draw
ing room.
She went away slowly down the
stairs, half glad. half annoyed, that he
had come. The influence that this
man exerted over her was strange
one. Away from him, she Instructive
ly mistrused him; with him, he fas-
cinated her, while her heart never
quickened by single pulse.
He rose now to greet her as she en-
tered the room, and it seemed to her
his face was paler than it's wont. In
deed, now she looked again, she was
sure that it was so, and that a sort of
suppressed agitation marked his man
ner.
1T seems very long since I have
seen you, Miss Ayice," he said, earn
estly.
Pray, how do you mark time by
your calendar?" she responded light
ly. by mine only three days have
fled since that pleasure was mutual"
"Three days? Rather three eterni-
ties Does my language appear to you
exaggerated? Doubtless it does; yet
how often do we throw away the drop
of water for which men would sell not
only their bodies but their souls!
Avice, the man you love is unworthy
of you, yet on him you pour the treas
| ures, one morsel of which I would
! guard with my hearts blood"
Unworthy of me, DR.. Hayes? And
you, who profess to be his friend. come
here in his absence to tell me this!
How little could he whom you call I'M
worthy fathom the smallness OF such
| an act? Sir, must beg that you will
leave mel" rising in her naughty an
ger, to her feet
"No!" he answered, also standing
before her. II do not speak without
proof; but such proof as will bring the
! first cloud upon the horizon of your
happiness. Will you not trust me,
Avice, without forcing me into dis
closing all?"
Never, sir! Say what you have to
say. l do but listen that l may the
better refute your malicious charges"
GAS you will, then. You have never
! doubted, Avice, the fact of your parent
! age?"
| Pure and simple amaZement was
in the glance lifted to his.
! II do not understand YOU she said.
II feared that you would not. and
wish that the explanation had been
| left to any tongue but mine. You do
not know, then, that by the law of ma
| ture you have no right to the Mere
! dith name, although the law OF man
has given it to you"
THE law of man." she repeated,
her face blanching and her slender
figure swaying like a reed.
You do not understand" he con-
tinued gently. poor child! It is
simply this: You are but the adopted
daughter of Mr.. Henry Meredith
ut is false! My father! my father!
come back from your grave and refute
this cruel charged"
1T is true, Avice-as true as that
my lips utter the words. I would to
God that might spare you, but it may
not be. Henry Meredith adopted you
when helpless infant. He gave you
his name; he intended that the world
should never know; he was in every
sense father to you
"The truest, the best that ever
lived!" she sobbed. But if this be
true, whose child, then, am L? What
relation was I to him, that he gave me
his name and his love?"
The man was silent.
Avice watched him, with an awful
dread gathering in her eyes. She
staggered forward toward him, and
laid one little, trembling hand upon
his arm.
what were my parents?" she said,
in hoarse whisper. IF you have one
spark of manhood in your body, an
swer me"
1.-THE records of La Madeleine give
no Names" he answered, slowly. "You
were left on it's steps at night"
Quickly he threw out his arm, as he
spoke; but too late-the girl had fall
en- senseless at his feet.
l. With a certain tenderness, born OF
his professional skill, he lifted her to
the sofa, and, with the aid of the rem
edies he drew from his pocket, soon
! saw the long lashes lift themselves
= from the marble wilderness OF her
cheeks-a long, 1uttering sigh escape
the ashen lips. %s.: .sS .s;,r..s
4 ia Madeleine?" she. whispered,
& shudderingly, then covered her face
Il with her hands. # u. i. 4
. How long had It been that p from