The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1904-02-20


journey 5S55i
n y l1urde Ter! IS there danger, hen, 4of
her life r. she asked. ~ t!3s 10 MIKE
III But neither agitation or 4 fear vas
in her voice, while = slight smile play.
ed about the corners Of the exquisitely
curved lips + sY,s5;sss :ts%s# 3.sE
13a Eyes, - he answered there is dan-
ger to both life aud reason. When
she first thoroughly realized her posi-
ton she swooned away. It was long
before could restore her to conscious.
ness. When I at last succeeded, a
burning fever ensued, which has last
ed at intervals ever since, attended
with delirium. When the fever leaves
her, she, lies utterly PROSTATE and de-
spairing.. It. is impossible for this
state of things to continue. One Of
two things, must follow madness 81
DEATH" s.. *@T't
':She is young, she is strong. You
overestimate the danger Besides"
sudden energy creeping into her tone,
'at any cost-Richard, do you not re.
member my words at any cost my
end must be. gained. l do not poison
this girl, neither do I stab her, or send
a bullet into her heart. If she is i'll, it
is the fever, not l, that is to blame
NAY, Barbara, you hold in your
hand the remedy, without which all my
skill avails nothing. My darling, give
this all up, and trust to me to make
your future happiness!"
"Never!-you hear ne?-never!
Though I trampled upon this girls
body to reach my goal, would not
hesitate. What is she to me, save an
other link in a past which .torturcs
me? hate her! She, too, has crossed
my path. She suffers. am glad; ,ct
her suffer-"
"Barbara!"
Her listener stood aghast. Never
had the woman before shown so much
of the inner passion consuming her.
His voice restored her calm.
She glided to his side and, laid her
head upon his shoulder, her hands
clinging to his arm. It was an un,
wonted act of demonstration.
my friend-my only FRIEND" she
murmured low, forgive me! On,
Richard, do not judge me so harsh as.
I seem, but you alone know something
OF my agony in these years. I do not
fear this girls death; she will live on.
Besides, what good would it do to re-
store her to her home? She is be.
lieved to have eloped with you. They
would not receive her. Wait but lit
tie while; then, if you wish, we Will
advise. them at the convent of where
she is and let its walls open to re.
ceive her forever.
Monsieur Lennox, my lady, is be.
low land desires a few moments with
YOU interrupted Feline at the door,
What can have brought him here?"
Barbara questioned aloud, yet speak.
ing only to herself. wait for me,
Richard. I must know what they sus.
pect; then will rejoin you"
The man, thus commanded, sank
heavily back in his chair, an express
sion of anxious pain and perplexity
upon his brow, while Barbara's silken
skirts rustled across the soft carpet
and down the stairs to the draw ug
room. +.
With smile on her lips and eyes.
she went forward to greet him who
stood awaiting her with arms tightly
folded upon his chest.
''Mr. Lennox." she said, this is
most delightful SURPRISE"
THAT it is surprise, madame,I can
hardly doubt. 1t must indeed be an
urgent necessity which would induce
me to cross your threshold. Neei I
name the necessity in words? You
once threatened me, madame, long
years ago. 1t was an ignoble, an un-
generous threat. YOU said you would
strike through me at the girl l loved
You have done so. now throw N.Y.
self upon your mercy and ask her back
at your hands"
A surprised, bewildered expression
passed over the beautiful face.
II am very sorry" she said; broken
ly. II believe. in a moment OF passion,
I may have uttered words of such i'm
plain yourself" y
II mean that l am confident you
know of Miss Meredith's whereabouts
and are in a measure responsible Tor
them-I mean that at any cost will
discover whtre she isl mean the man
who has decoyed her from her home
shall give to- me his life as forfeit
unless her lips pray to me to spare
him. her heart prove his shield"
Milton, you wrong me-" she an
swered, in broken tones. True. in a
moment of angry passion, of outraged
love, I thus spoke. But could you
think my resentment would thus last?
Has it not burned out in all this fire
of passionate misery which has since
consumed me? l am sorry if new
grief has come to you. Believe me, l
would convert it into happiness if
could"
/ Both were standing: She drew a
step nearer as she spoke, her eyes
resting with seemingly "a divine pas.