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

the world had been filed with dancing
sunshine. Oh, why had not some pre-
monition warned her that that empty
piece of pasteboard was the first note
Of the doom which had overtaken her?
Here, in it's velvet frame upon the
wall, Millions face smiled down upon
her.
hot, burning anger drove. away
her tears, as, filed with Indignation
against him, she snatched the picture
from its place and rent it from it's
frame. Poor girl! She little knew the
fatal meaning each act would bear
hereafter in the net her own hands
were helping weave about herself.
But she must calm herself. In the
few hours left she must act. Oh, for
a mothers arm to enfold her, moth
er's breast on which to throw herself
and sob out this sudden, awful mis-
cry!
Seating herself at her desk, she
slowly turned the key in it's lock, the
same key she had so carelessly drop
ped and Marie had returned to her.
The little parcel of letters tied with
blue ribbon met her eyes. How low
insly she had put each new message
with it's sisters. Now, with a sort of
shuddering horror, she gathered them
up and, crossing to the low fire in the
crate, dropped them in the ashes. Her
fathers letters she read through.
They were filled with tenderest affec-
fhnCo ~ nj
heart, as though they might penetrate
it even yet with single drop of COM
fort.
Then, drawing pen and paper toward
her, she wrote:
Il am going away, Travis-darling
brother. | may call you so once more,
may | not? though l have learned the
secret of my birth. You will hear
from Mr.. Lennox's own lips of his
letter and his messenger, therefore
you will not wonder that for long
time want to shut myself away from
this cruel world; SO l am going back
to the convent, and to ask the dear
sisters if they will receive me once
more in their midst, not as a merry
pupil but as sad, heavy-hearted
woman, who in time, perhaps, will
from them learn their calm and join
their number. Forgive, me, dear. if
this step does not meet your approval
feared it might not, therefore would
not tell You of it until too late to op-
pose me. | am very miserable, very
wretched, Travis, and it seems as
though God had put the thought of this
blessed retreat into my heart. Per-
haps there l may even learn forgive
ness for the man who has dealt me
this NEST dastardly blow What had
done that he should choose such
means to break the tie between us?
D:d Re fear l would plead with him
for his na.le, his love? All. Travis, I
have no right to the Meredith name
but think ST 4where Is the old Mer.
edith pride for all that remember
now papas anxiety Tor your coming
the conversation you had together be-
fore he died. Have you known my
secret all these years? How bravely
you have kept it! How true a brother
you have been: But oh. why-why was
not left to perish on the steps Of la
Madeleine. where my heartless, un-
known mother placed me?
--"Avice."
This she sealed and directed, then
began the task Of sorting and arrang-
ing her belongings. Every gift of her
lover. from the flashing diamond to
the faded flower, she put carefully to-
gether. She wrote his name upon the
packages, then called Marie
'Nademoisclle is ill.," the maid ex-
claimed. il seeming anxious solcitude,
at sight of the pale face and swollen
eyes of her young mistress.
no, Marie; am only suffering
from a nervous headache to which 7
am accustomed. l am going rather
unexpectedly tonight on short visit
to a school fellow. In case Mr.. Mere
dith does not get home before I start,
please give him this note, which will
explain my sudden departure and it's
reasons. Now, if you will pack for
me, putting into one trunk my plainest
dresses and only such necessaries as
shall need, I will throw myself on
the bed and try to get some rest"
Pardon the suggestion, Miss Avice,
but will yon not permit me to &C.
company you?"
II Cannot she answered YEARLY.
l may, however, send for you later.
Meantime. if I do not return immedi-
ately, say to Mr.. Meredith that it was
my wish that you should not be dis
missed"
The maid courtesied and began the
task, while Avice covered her burn
ing eyes and held her throbbing tenn
pies with her two feverish hands.
Thus hours dragged themselves
away. At times strange, faint sick
ness crept over her, but she drove it
off. At any cost she must retain her
strength until she no longer had such
urgent need of it. The clock. striking
six, aroused her.
Call cab, Marie,' she said. land
order my trunk carried down"
She crossed to the mirror, but start.
ed back, horror-stricken. at her own
n