The Cook County herald., 1904-01-09
CHAPTER TX.
A Thrilling Interview.

IAo HIeuCu ClOCk on LQe manCel an
nounced the hour of noon, and ere its
last echo had died away the door of
Barbara Bretton's boudoir noiselessly
opened, as Feline noiselessly entered,
bearing in his hand Milton Lennox' 8
card.
Il will see the gentleman here" she
assented, languidly; ''and, Felix, if
DR.. Hayes calls, desire him to return
in an hour
The valet bowed and withdrew One
glance she took about the room, then,
secure from preying eyes, she pressed
her lips pas sionately upon the soulless
piece OF pasteboard her servant had
just handed her.
What could have brought him, by
appointment, at this early hour? Could
Travis have betrayed her secret?
Even so, vas she not secure at any
cost? and to see him. was it not hap
piness enough without stopping to
measure the why and wherefore?"
Monsieur Lennox!"
| Felines perfectly trained tones thus
announced her visitor.
One moment Lennox stood on the
threshold Of that exquisitely dainty
room, his eyes resting spellbound en-
the central figurs
Over robe of blue she wore a gar
ment of sheerest lace. whole, but half
defining her perfect form; foot fault
less In shape with its tiny slipper aid
azure silken dress halkpeeped from
beneath its hem. Her lips parted in a
smile Of welcome; one little hand lay,
white and soft, upon the cushioned
arm of her chair What wonder that
she reigned queen royal over men S
hearts!
But she had slain his friend-it was
this sudden thought which chased
away the momentary softening from
Milton Lennox's face, and brought tho
ftern lines about his mouth, and look
of pittiless determination into his
eyes, as, carefully closing the door be-
hind him, he approached her.
! She stretched out the tapering, jew
eled fingers in welcome; but there was
70 answering movement of the gloved
hands tightly locked behind him.
{. Madam" and at something in his
tone new 10 her ear, she started, II
cannot claim your welcome as
friend, SINCE come only as another's
messenger"
And can Mr.. Lennox doubt his vel
come, let his errand be what it may"
Musically sweet rang out the question,
as her dark eyes searched his face.
II ask no welcome" he replied un-
relentingly-"nay, more, wish none
Madam, may inquire whether it is
a customary thing for brides thus 20
spend their wedding day."
"Ah!" dangerous fire now leapirg
into his eyes; then your friend has
already told you Of my compliance
with his urgent entreaty that l should
become his wife before sailing?"
Il have already made another call
this morning, madam, upon the clergy
man who performed the ceremony.
He, 1t seems, had known of the affair
even before the expectant groom--in
fact, the bride had inclosed his fee.
Under such circumstances it is scarce
ly remarkable that my friends elc~
,Qucnce was successful. In his case it
might have been not unftly termed
golden eloquence!"
Sir, you insult NETS '~~rA""
"No, madam, but ! am here to throw
aside the mask of conventionality and
summon your servant by that silver
hell AS said before. ! am a messen-
ger. A bride. refusing to hear mes
sage from her bridegroom of scarce
twenty-four hours! What miracle Is
this? But a truce to idle talk. Tell
me, have you ever seen this paper be.
fore?"
Proudly, unfalteringly, her eye rest
ed on the column he laid beside her,
but in reality a sea Of darkness swan
before her Save In that first instant's
glance, which told her all, no word
penetrated her brain. But with bent
head She forced back her self,posses.
ElOu, VI "NICA LAOMSAIdIJ lOSINS Sl!E
had given no outward trace.
"And you and he believed this lie?
she said, after moments pause.
1--WE know it to be true" LennoS
answered calmly. "You have been q
wife, a mother, yet be married you
supposing you a young and innocent
girl. He was your tool, your dupe
And why? Because he was the heir
to a wealthy and dying father; be-
cause by his name you hoped to re-
deem your own; because he could give
you the means to crafty your ambi
tions. In Gods name, had you nc
h2art, no conscience, that you could dc
this thing?"
"You dare to put to me that qncs
tion?" she answered, starting to hel
feet. conscience? No, what have
such as to do with conscience? That
is1or little children that pray at their
mothers knees. But heart? Yes, &
heart you toyed with as your play
thing. Yes, Milton Lennox, for once
in our lives we will lay aside the mask