The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1904-05-21
CHAPTER V.-(Continued)

me newcomer was man OF about
Cleland's height, but more slender in
build, with the erect bearing of a SOL
der. His hair, of light brown, was
cropped short; his face, though regu-
lar enough in features, was not
pleasant one. The cold. hard blue
eyes, straight, narrow mouth and
sharp chin, gave it an expression
which made many people declare 1T
was better to give Paul Reyburn a
wide BERTH
He shook hands with his hostess,
and an unpleasant expression drew
his brows together as he glanced at
Cleland, then acknowledged the 9TH
sr's salutation with curt bow.
LET me give you a cup of tea, Ma
jor," said the lady of the house pres
emily. She poured it out and Rayburn
watched her, passionate expression
In his cold eyes, as they devoured her
face. ANY more news from Atbara?"
she asked, as she handed him the
dainty little cup, skilfully evading the
touch of his fingers.
'Just what we expected. The der
wishes are gathering fast and furious
iy. 1 expect we may receive march
ing orders any day." said Rayburn.
LET them come. I don't care, for my
part, how soon."
In a few minutes Cleland rose to
take his leave. Mrs. Breynton and
Rayburn were alone.
rs that fellow your shadow" the
latter asked, suddenly turning to his
hostess, who had parted from Cleland
- the room door. "He is with you
~s.rywhere now. wonder what he
01nks he is?''
"A gentleman" answered Mrs.
Breynton, quietly, though a little
CLEAN came into her soft eyes. : am
afraid you have forgotten you are
one, Major Rayburn. I am not accus-
TONED to that tone from those who lay
claim to the title.''
Il beg your pardon" said Rayburn,
half sullenly, half passionately. He
placed his cup on a little table near,
and, coming to Mrs. Breynton's side,
suddenly knelt at her feet, and put
his lips to the lace which hung over
her delicate waist. "You have made
me mad-mad! I love you with pas
sion that will not let me rest night or
day! Every moment I am away from
you I feel as if there were chain of
Iron about my feet dragging me back
It makes me furious when I see an
othes man near you, touching your
hand, and you smiling upon him, cs
you smile on Cleland!"
The beautiful face hardened and
grew paler at the last words.
Major Raybuyn, have told you be-
fore that I have no love to give you,
that we can never, by any possibility,
be more to each other than friends.
Why do you persistently introduce the
subject, and prosecute me with your
entreaties? You must know that it
pains me, and that it cannot do your
self any good. Let me repeat once
more what I have already told you.
do not and never can love you; it is
impossible now and forever"
''Then there is someone who makes
It impossible?" exclaimed Rayburn,
with sudden f1erceness. He caught her
wrist in strong grasp, and his cold
eyes, now burning with fierce light,
tried to read the depths of hers. "You
love some one else! You cannot deny
IT." he exclaimed, hoarsely.
why should acknowledge or deny
1t to you, Major Rayburn?" said Ad-
rienne, with cold displeasure. "You
have absolutely no claim on me that
you should demand my confidence. If
you cannot be content with what 7
have to give you, then the only other
possible footing for us is that of COM
plete strangers"
Yes, you can throw me over like
that, calmly telling me we can be
complete strangers to each other
while you know that my very life is
In your hands!" exclaimed Rayburn
hoarsely. "You were friendly enough
with me once-you can't deny that,
1t is that'-he checked himself as he
was just about to utter fierce oath
that fellow who has just left to whom
I am indebted for this. But, by Heav-
en-! will show him he cannot cross
my path with impunity! He does not
know the kind of man he has to reck-
on with"
Major Rayburn, you go beyond all
bounds" exclaimed Adrienne. She
rose from her seat, her face deathly
pale. and put her hand on the bell
pull. After this do not see how we
can be anything but strangers to each
other she said, coldly Il am not in
the habit Of counting among my
friends those who utter threats of
that kind in my presence!"
She had pulled the bell before she
had finished speaking. Rayburn stood
before her, cold grey hue spreading
slowly over his face, an expression in
his eyes that might have vaguely
alarmed Adrienne had she seen it, but
abe did not