The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1904-02-27

night, did they not? Come, throw your
self on your couch; but wait, will
bring you glass of wine."
The valet obeyed, and in few mo-
ments the maid returned, bearing in
her hand a glass-a glass into which
she had emptied small white powder
before filing it with the red fluid. The
man emptied it at draught.
ut tasted bitter" he said, as he
handed back the glass.
Nonsense" she replied.
But even as he spoke his head fell
back on the pillow, and his eyes closed
in sleep.
A few: moments she stood watching
him, until his calm, measured breath
ing told her that his slumber was deep.
"Sleep on she said, an evil smile
playing about her lips. Poor, weak
fool! 1t is for you to sleep, for me to
work! You will not tell me your pre-.
cious secret, Ell? Then Marie will dis
cover it for herself"
With these words she crossed the
room, first taking from the pocket of
his coat, which he had hung across a
chair-a small bunch of keys, and ap-
plying them, one by one, to the lock of
well worn desk, until one fitted, and
she then opened the lid. For half an
hour she made careful search among
forts. A few bills, a few notes from
herself, some memoranda, were all
that she discovered.
"He knows something" she NUT
tered aloud. There must be some
written evidence of it. Where does he
keep it,"
Carefully restoring everything in it's
place, she again locked the desk and
returned the keys, after which she ex-
amined every pocket, even the lining
of his coat. All in vain.
A baffled look swept over her face.
Had she administered the drug for
nothing? Did he in reality know moth
ing more of Barbara Bretton's early
life than she knew herself? There was
one chance left.
She bent over the sleeping man and
laid her hand softly on his heart. Was
it imagination only which brought that
rosy flush of hope to her cheeks, and
made her own heart beat in mad
bounds? She felt something like a
sheet of paper.
He slept heavily on. Softly, skill
fully, she slipped her fingers beneath
the linen.
Yes, the drug had served it's pur-
pose. She felt paper in his touch;
but it was sewed to his shirt. Nothing
daunted, she severed the stitches, and
in another instant had dragged it forth
to the light of day.
1t was yellow with age, and but
single sheet, resembling parchment
Her whole frame trembled. She could
scarcely unfold it. Feline had kept
his secret we'll
At last it lay open to her inspection,
but her eyes dwelt on it long before
her mind could grasp it's meaning, for
the written words attested to the mar
rage of Barbara Breton with Gerald
!-ysle, in the little chapel at St. Ger
main.
1t was Barbara Bretton's marriage
certificate, duly attested. Surely she
herself did not know of it's existence
Could it be that she and all the world
were mistaken, and that she had in re-
ality been Sir Gerald Lysle's welded
secret so Zealously?
''Ah!' quick thought flashed across
Maries mind, IF this be true, her hold
over Travis Meredith is gone. She
cannot be the wife of two men at once
Yes, my lady-yes! My turn is COM
ing. The wheel grinds slowly, but it
brushes, none the less.'
Then, with deft fingers, she re-
stored the paper to it's place, sewing
it as before, so that it might be held
secure-Feline's regular breathing
serving as an Accompaniment to her
work.
It was barely completed when mad
ame's bell rang violently. Marie, COM
posing her face into the usual express
sion, FASTENED to answer it.
Marie" commenced Barbara, her
manner betokening much agitation as
the maid entered the room, Or. Hayes
left me two hours ago, promising to
return in a very few minutes. Some
premonition tells me he has met Mr..
Lennox. 1t may be that he was seen
Issuing from my house. Send Feline
to me. I must ascertain the truth"
Feline, madame, is sleeping. He
was quite i'll, and composed for him
soothing draught. Will you have him
loused?"
No, let him sleep But I must in
some way end this suspense"
perhaps l can serve you, madame.
II so, command me-"
Go, then, to DR.. Hayes rooms, and
ascertain if he has been there, and
at what hour he left them"
Marie courtesied and withdrew.
Ten minutes later, her face entirely
hidden by a veil, she emerged from the
street door and walked rapidly away.
At last she stopped before house,
where, on raising her veil, the con-