The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-02-12


warm glow over the room in which
young man sat smoking and think
ing 1t was early in the evening, not
long after seven, and he was wonder
ing where to spend the hours till ped
time. A knock at the outer door OF his
chambers disturbed his reverie. Being
alone, he went himself to answer the
summons. A lady, tall and thlckly
yelled, stood in the passage without.
"Mr. Austen Gregg"
''That is my name, madam"
Can | speak with you in private?"
Her accent was foreign.
Certainly; will you come IN
The lady entered, Austen puzzling
his brain as to who his visitor might
be. She declined the seat offered to
her, and glanced round the room
Are we quite aione?'' she asked.
quite"
The lady lifted her veil.
"Olga Dobrouloff" cried the young
man, in tone of CONSERVATION.
Il have not altered so much IN SIX
years that you fail to recognize me,
then, Cecil Austen?" said she, faint
smile at his start of surprise and sud
den pallor crossing her darkly-beautl-
full face. Cecil Austen! ali; but you
are known more by your nom-de-thea-
ire, now, are you not?'
Austen forced himself to appear
calm.
What is your business with me-
madam" he inquired.
80 austere? Your manner toward
me was SO different six years ago III
Russia. Well. we'll, my business! TO
give you this"
She handed him letter, which ne
hesitated at first to open. Breaking
the seal at length, he cast MS eyes
over the communication which he drew
from the envelope. One glance was
sufficient to cause his hand to tremole
so violently as to rustic the paper IL
held. His pallor deepened for a mo-
ment; then his face flushed, and dis
dainful look came into his eyes.
'"Take this back to those who sent
YOU to me-" he said, land say that
have not held muself subject to their
orders since left Russia.
Remember your oath"
"Such as it was, | took it in mo-
ment of youthful might say poylsn
enthusiasm over things l dld mol
rightly understand. saw my folly in
time. and abandoned the society into
the membership of which | was be-
guiled by your father, who traded Oh
my infatuation for YOU"
.Infatuation You swore you coult
never love another woman, and taugh
me to love you Cecil"
Her voice softened, her face grew
less stern.
~ am sorry for that episode in my
life" he made answer. Il was learn
ing to forget it, and hoped you had
also"
~? Never! I shall love you to m!
diving hour. Oh, my daring! sn
cried clasping her hands passionatel!
and taking step towards him, nav
you really-truly-cea W wv W
This topic is an unpleasant one
Olga-one that have no wish 10 dis
cuss. It was not love had for YOU
have discovered that"
"You have discovered-ah!
Her swift flashing eyes fixed them
selves on a photograph standing upol
the mantelpiece. It was the picture O
Young girl whose face was the EN-
bodiment of beauty. tenderness an
trust.
"you have discovered it. have you
Did she help you to make the discoV
ery?"
..That is the lady | hope soon t
make my wife,
The words were spoken coloi!
.baupbtiIy. For moment Olga Dos
~o,loff,s features burned with the fierC
fire of passionate hate. Her finger
gripped the picture tightly-gripped
as though they would crush it. SUI
donlv they relaxed, and with pitt
org moan she sank upon her knee
and bowed her head.
ooh, Cecil!' she cried, in bitter al
euish. then | must not hope--i' WI