Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-06-24
CHAPTER XIX.

huG NAllb ~ Huu ldlleu Slklully III Ills
mission. he dreaded to face his constitu-
ents and admit how thoroughly he had
been routed, and consequently he yield
ed to a certain sense of cowardice. But
the loneliness of the night and the fe-
rocity of the storm nothing daunted him
indeed, they conspired favorably to as
sist him in shaping his plans for the flu
turc, afforded him time and freedom to
think.
Once a dim consciousness of being
tracked assailed him; not that he posi-
lively heard a footstep; on the contrary
1t was merely that indeinable sense of a
human presence, that peculiar power
which a watching eye possesses to rouse
a sleeper from deep Inconsistencies. He
Needed it so far as to turn and look be-
hind him; in fact, he paused until a re-
current flash illumined the s0dden road,
but he saw nothing but the dripping
branches swayod by the soughing wind.
Had he taken the trouble to retrace
his steps a short distance and glance in
at a darkling gateway, he would have
found the man, Camille, crouching there,
waiting to continue upon his mysterious
errand.
The sound of the doctors football upon
the steps of the villa was the signal to
attract Lucian Courtlandt to the doorway
followed by Claire. The radiance of a
lighted hall fell out upon Gresham's face
and dripping form. Ere a query as to
the result of his mission could be framed,
he exclaimed, cheerily, addressing Claire:
Come, come! You are violating my
orders by remaining up so late. You
should be snugly in bed and out of this
miserable dampness."
But, DOCTOR" pleaded Claire, "how
could you expect me to retire without
seeing you? What have you to tell us? ?
What says the Door womanT"
81 have to tell you shat | am drenched
to the skin and can't be expected to stand
here shivering," he answered, with a
forced laugh; "as to the poor woman l
have merely 10 say that you have seen
her for the last time; she will trouble
you no more. Now, away to bed with
you, and permit me to retire."
With an involuntary sigh of relief,
Claire went towards the staircase, but
paused and returned to the doctor.
You were gentle with her, were you
mott 7" she asked.
A gentle as a lamb" came the men
dacious reply.
And so poor Claire retired with a
lighter heart than she had borne in her
bosom for many a long day. Scarcely
had the hen of her flowing robe vanish
ed at the head of the staircase than
Gresham laid his hand upon Courtlandt's
arm, whispering:
Come with me into the library
Instantly Che transitory look of relief
upon the young husbands face vanished
and he turned deadly pale with appre-
hension. The door being closed, he fail
tered:
"Well, what is it, doctor? You have
failedT"
"Signally," was the curt reply.
"Well, out with it. What is it?" de-
manded Courtlandt, despairingly.
81 have failed! | did not half under.
stand the person with whom l had to
deal. She has worked herself into a
most manageable frame of mind, and
Is prepared to do anything"
what said sheY'
Everything but the right thing"
"What does she insist upon?"
Ine CUSTODY OF ner cnllQ.
Lucian Courtlandt's face darkened and
he sank upon a chair.
What are we to doT"
Gresham indulked in another of his
~aggravating smiles.
"She proposes to kill herself unless
you come to her within an hour" he re-
piled.
THE hour must have elapsed"
Yes, by fifteen minutes answered
the doctor, consulting his watch.
Courtlandt rose quickly and fixed both
his hands firmly upon Gresham's arm.
ID you think it possible that she can
have made good her threat 2" he breath
ed.
"Bah!"
Lucian Courtlandt turned away with
an air of deep dependency. He paced
the room, frequently passing his hands
agitatedly through his hair, while his
palid lips framed ina~rticulate words.
Presently he returned to Gresham and
abruptly exclaimed:
81 know not what to do. You must di-
rect me. What must | do?"
You must see this woman tonight"
~"To-night!' gasped Courtlandt, in dis
may; "see her tonight? To what end %
There is but one way of adjusting
this dreadful complication. You must
make a concession"
what concession 2"
"Her child. 1t is Fate's revenge"
Whatever anguished reply Lucian
Courtlandt might have made was sent
flying into the realms of the unknown
nv n shrek distant hut d;st;nc+ly o,d;
BILE to the two men.
The door was flung open, and with one
accord they burst into the hall to find it
wrapped in Stygian darkness, and while
they paused an instant ~bewildered, a
rushing sound as of feet rapidly descend
ang the staircase greeted them; the out
or door was violently slammed, then all
wal silence.
AZ tho door Of the nursery they paus-