Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-05-13

Keep your praise I'LL l. SlOOp W soiie
mean action, and merit it. Darcy Les
mere is about to marry his cousin Ida;
and | have been among the first to con
graduate him on the event"
"And you will be mineW
"Never--ncverr she answered, so
emphatically, that Wyett Paulton's face
grew purple with passion.
take time to consider" he muttered.
Look on the reverse of the fair picture
that ! showed you but now. Wyett
Paulton's wife would be wealthy and dis
tinguished. The girl who foolishly re-
jects him may learn that blight can be
cast on the fame of the most talented
actresS-that she may find herself set
aside for some new favorite and Kissed
where she has been applauded."
He drew nearer, and laid his hand on
Lesteles. She did not attempt to with
draw it, but steadily met his threatening
look.
81 am dangerous foe" he went on.
81 have determined on this marriage too
long to be easily turned from my pur-
pose You must be mine. You cannot
establish your birth without my aid"
This threat has lost its power over
me-" she mournfully exclaimed. Il have
no longer any craving to know who or
what | am. A name, however honora-
BILE, would not give me the love that
could alone make life supportable."
How long have you felt this strange
indifference? Bah! it will pass away
again. l will see you in n day or two,
when you must be prepared with n def
mite reply to my proposals"
In
would involve" cried Lestelle. '1f /
had no other reason, | would still refuse
to we'd the man who has made the low
ing, trusting Lettice his tool for years,
and now ruthcssly filings her aside"
Wyett Paulton stood for moment or
two lingering his watch chain, and look
ing frowningly down into Lcstelle's face.
She kept her eyes raised to his, and not
n trace of faltering could he perceive in
their depths. At last he picked up his
hat.
1T is said, and henceforth | work
alone. But | know why you have re
fused me, and how to strike the blow
that shall make you regret this nights
work"
Icstelle heard him with secret I'M
oasiness, though she answered bravely
enough. ~ do not fear you. | am too
Indifferent regarding my future to care
how soon you fulfill your threats"
Keep your melodramatic speeches for
the stage, little one. You have nothing
to dread personally. You and ! are still
necessary to one another
Some idea Of his meaning now crossed
Lestclle; and with palng cheeks, she
C,I ,,.,.l tx, % 10
"You will not attempt to injure Percy?
You cannot have the heart to do that?
The boy is dying; | saw it in his face
last night when ho came behind the
scenes to speak to me. All. YOU have
wrought him sorrow enough. For your
own souls sake, spare him!'
Paulton laughed. you will develop
into a tragedy queen by and by, my
child; but you need not inilict these re-
hcarsals on me. AS for young Percy,
if had wished to do him any harm,
should not have let you coax me out of
those checks to which he had rashly
signed his fathers name. BE tranquil.
Percy is not in my way; therefore | pass
him by
"And You will make no attempt to
prove that | am Gen. Glenaughton's
child by an earlier marriage|
Most decidedly | shall not. Now, are
you satisfied? Then, farewell"
Lestelle drew aside tho curtains, and
watched the carriage drive away. There
was a dread of his malicious rcprisals
throbbng in her heart that she could not
suhdue. That he would fulfill his threat
and cause her to tremble for her rciec-
ton, she did not doubt. But iii what
way? If this vengeance were wreaked
on her alone, it would be easy to endure
it, but he had limited that others were
to he included in it, and Lestelle's fears
grew more and more difficult to cope
with.
4 hand fell on her shoulder, and, with
a scream, she turned to meet the sad
eyes OF Iettice Hill.
Il have heard all. my dear" said the
latter very quietly. II grew so sleepy
while waiting for YOU, that | laid down
on the couch in yonder window and did
not wake till Wyett's voice aroused me-
Icstclle wrapped her arms around her
friend
my poor Lettice! If you knew how
often l have longed to tell YOU he was
unworthy"
IL should not have believed you. Moth
ing but the evidence of my own ears
would have convinced me | have been
n very silly, credulous creature, Lestelle.
thought this man loved me-"
She smiled SO strangely as she spoke
that Lestellc tried TO soothe her. Come
to bed, dear I.ettice. You have too much
Self-respoct to grieve over the loss Of
such lover. You must try to forget
him"
Not yet" And now Lettice spoke
with fiery bitterness. Mr., Wyett Paul
tons tool has debt to pay, Let him
look to himself. have been faithful
to his interests; will be the same to
my own"
She broke from Lcstele rs she said
this, and shut herself in her own room.
CHAPTER XVI.
Ida and her father We're 1T issue re-