Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-04-07
SO NEARLY LOST


oh, ! know what you are going to
say, but if Miss Trevelyan chooses to
answer. my questions, you needn't
mind about it, you know"
But"
Miss Mazurka turned away from him
/ TO Joan.
Now, Miss Trevelyan, will you
answer this? Is it your wish to marry
Mr.. Royce tomorrow? Answer this
truly, and IL you say yes then-well,
my important business win keep until
after your return"
My dearest" murmured Royce, as
Joan, pale and troubled, looked from
one to the other.
You need not answer" said Miss
Mazurka. your silence is quite enough
for me-"
Miss MaZurka your presence here
| is an intrusion You distress and
annoy Miss Trevelyan beyond my en-
durance. | must ask you to leave us"
I'm going directly, Mr.. Royce, -
said Miss Mazurka "You are not mas
ter here. This is Mr.. Harwoods house
and l sh9ll remain, with Miss TreveI
/ vans permission.
! 70 II will go said Joan, rising.
Miss Mazurka put out her hand
| pleadingly.
! mo, no. Don't Listen to me for a
| little while. For your own sake. If
you knew what know" Then
she arose and pointed her finger at
Mordaunt Royce, DO you know what
| that man Is, the Ian you are going to
marry tomorrow morning."
Joan, pale and trembling, looked
from her TO Mordaunt Royce, whose
face, set and calm smiled sardonically
at the accusing finger
you dont?' Well, VIII tell you.
He's swindler and a cardsharper!"
Joan shrank back and caught at the
, back of chair, overcome for a mo.
ment,
| Mordaunt Royce sprang upright.
his face ablaze, then It went pale
again and he laughed harshly.
Thanks. Miss Mazurka. You have
played your part well. and we are in
tenscly amused and interested. Blu.
please to remember that this is not
the boards of the Coronet, that it is a
lady's drawing-room, and that however
deeply you may consider that you have
D.! been injured by me, it is rot worthy Of
even you to SANDER me before Miss
Trevelyan."
Very well done indeed" sad Miss
Mazurka noddng approvingly. oh
| didn't think you wasn't game, Mr.
Royce. though you were brought up in
the gutter. | knew you would make a
| fight of 1t. and you are, aren't you?
Quite right; but you won't find 1t
much use. tell this lady that you
are swindler and cardsharper.
You deny II.
mo; ! don't take the trouble" said
Royce, scornfully. IF you had said
a gambler. also! | should have had
to plead guilty. But have touched
cards for the last time, Miss Mazurka;
leave them and all the evil compan-
ions of my past behind"
Miss MaZurka flushed holly under
the covert insult.
will you desert Mr.. Craddock,
alsoT" she said.
"Mr. Craddock?" he said, with a
beautiful look of bewilderment.
Yes; Mr.. Craddock, of Chain Court,
who picked you out of the gutter Mr..
Craddock, the money lender. whose
iackal YOU have been; the jackal who
entrapped and enticed the victims
into Mr.. Craddock's den in the city.
Are you going to desert him."
His face ouivered. but the smile
still sat upon his lips bravely, as he
turned to Joan, standing pale and
amazed and bowed down under
sense of coming i'll.
Il am afraid Miss Mazurka's love for
romance is leading her into extrava-
gance of imagination. Ida" he said.
Don't you think this unpleasant scene
has lasted long enough?'
Not quite" said Miss Mazurka.
T before Joan could reply. you don't
know Mr. Craddoek! 1t is not you who
led Lord Dewsbury into his clutches!
! 1t is not you who so down at night to
, NhOAA Stut FShNAuINn 0lkSCts WHO
I received Mr. Craddock at your rooms
in Mount Street, Mr.. Royce"
1T certainly is not" he said. with
sCornful laugh
Miss Mazurka went swiftly to tho
door and opened il. and Lord BERTHE
entered, pushing old Craddock by the
shoulders in front OF him.
BERTHE thrust the old man against
the wall where he stood trembling
and shaking, his small eyes cleaning
/ at Royce like those of rat caught in
trap, and BERTHE went and took Joaus
hand
"Will you come away now?" he said.
Come with me. and viii tell You a..
that this means"
But Joan shook her head and cuag
to her chair.
no" she said, trembling. but trying
to keep calm Is, viii not &C. | mast
know all-nCw"
Berthe pressed her hand and stood
beside her protectingly, drawing still
closer rs NIOrGaupf Rove, ,-bfAo ,,.;th