Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-05-27


Mother and son failed to note either
the sinister glance upon the lackeys race
or the brief, shuddering glance with
which Claire contemplated her draugnI'
for the former had turned towards the
house. while the latter rose hastily, press
ing her handkerchief to her lips.
"Ought you not to take your potion
Courtlandt asked, solicitOusly, pointing
towards the table.
"There is no hurry" she answered,
with a sad shake of the head; lts
strength will not lessen by keeping. Later
| Il will take it."
With these words she received little
Leons hand and led him away towards
the fragrant garden that fringed the sea.
In silence mother and son watched the
pair depart, and not until they were out
of ear-shot did Mrs. Courtlandt exclaim
with ominous menace in every word:
"Lucian, are you mad? Why do you
stay away from us in New York! Do
you seek to shun Claire"
"Yes! Do you not see that l cannot
remain with her without loving her! She
has stolen my heart out of my keeping.
I grant you that the bonds which bound
me to another are broken, but all the
same she is the mother of my child.
have ceased to love that woman, but
while she lives and leads an honorable
life 1 will not permit myself to love
again!
For an instant the naughty old lady
paused in intent thought; then vicious
smile crept into her steely eyes.
TTNt. oe 11n xpith
mornings mail cut short this interview,
and the pair separated, Lucian going in
the direction of the stables, while Mrs.
Courtlandt retraced her steps into the
house. Left to himself, Camille crept
into the shadow of the beech tree, and
stealthily extracted a letter from his
pocket.
"Queer about this" he muttered, un-
folding the missive and mumbling over
its contents: "'Had the invalid you at
tend already taken her passage for the
next world, you would now be sufficient
ly rich to 60 and live where you choose.
Your late irregularities in Boston have
come to light, and are known to those
Consequently, it is the advice of an un-
known friend not to delay longer, but
keep your eyes open to your interests. ,
An unknown friend! Bah! it can't be
pretty Mrs. Hastings; how could she
know that had ever set foot in Boston
Whoever it is, they're on my track, and
the sooner 1 give 'em the slip the better"
With a hasty glance about him, he drew
n phial of colorless liquid from his inner
pocket and contemplated it with steady
scrutiny.
"Small doses don't seem to be doing
the work." he muttered; "she's stronger
than thought she was. Well, here goes
the whole for luck! Hit or miss, I've
got to save my precious skinv'
With the sinuous glide of a serpent, he
crept to the table, and with hand made
steady by desperate resolution, he emp
tied the complete contents of the phial
into Claire's potion. For one instant he
stood, fascinated by the jewel-like bub.
bles that rose tremulously to the surface
of the liquid and vanished; then sudden.
ly he recoiled with gasp of dismay.,
"Camillew
The voice that snote his guilty ear
was the voice of his innocent victim. He
, raised his craven eyes.
Claire, with a kindly smile upon hel
lips, had entered the umbrage of the
; beech tree!
The sound of his fair young mistress
voice set the guilty wretch to trembling
like an aspen leaf; and the better to con
, ceal his perturbation, he fell to shaking
up the cushions of the invalid's chair.
rs 1t you, CamilleT' continued Claire
a advancing with her eyes set upon the
: handful of snowy blossoms she held, he,
lips firm and white with decision "what
are you doing hereT
II was arranging-E1cuse me
: madam, L"
a Il have nothing to excuse, my good
n man. came the calm rejoinder, eacf
' word she uttered piercing the listener.
. ears like darts barbed with fire; "wha-
I could l have to excuse in you who ar,
A all attention to my comfort? Since yo,
|. came to lis l have never had the slightes
/. occasion to reprove you"
: Madam is very good" faltered tn,
=. knave.
n And I can only thank you for al
= that you have done for me-" she con
cluded. "Will you do me the favor e
4 ask DIR. Gresham to come to me for
minute? You will find him in the library
. | think"
Yes, madam"
A His hand was outstretched towards tb
n tatal cup, but it fell heavily at his side
;. camille bowed and quickened his sten
Y across the lawn towards the villa.
+ Perhaps she suspects" he said +
a himself, conscience stricken.
n The reckless wish found unexpecte,
;. iruition in the mind Of Claire. Sb
watched the retreating figure of the ma
@ with cleaning eyes, and as he yan;sbo
@ INTO the house, she thrust the flower
from her, and knotted her pale hands 4
her lap. 'uS J.
4 fTo be continuedl