Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-06-17

they fancied that they had seen the end
of their troubles, not that they dreamed
that the raging Nemesis who pursued
them would relent and hide her diminish
ed head, but they had arrived at an I'M
derstanding and were at peace among
themselves.
Whatever might happen, Claire had
found her way to her husbands heart,
and Lucian was at rest, having declared
his love. Side by side they sat upon the
wide veranda, watching the lurid sunset
that p~resaged storm. Suddenly Claire
shuddered and nestled closer to her COM
panion, while his protecting arm encir-
cled her yet more tightly.
"What is 1t, darling? Are you cold?"
ne asked gently. "Shall we go inY"
"Not yet" came the whispered re-
sponse; 81 could not bear the sitting at
mosphere Of the rooms. Let us remain
here as long as we can-until the rain
comes"
"As you will, only do not tremble So"
81 cannot help it, Lucian. Do not think
me ungrateful, but-but l have doubted
your love so long that IL"
"Oh, Claire!" he i%nterposed, reproach-
fully, shat you doubt it stillT
mo, no! Not quite that, but I think
of that terrible woman!"
81 do mol wish to think of her." he
replied, gloomily.
But she boldly boosted that she came
here armed with three years of passion
ate love. Lucian, is it true?
yes, it is true, but my love has chang
ed; need l tell you so again? Do you
compel me to swear it before you can be-
lieve?"
mo, 1 am satisfied, but do not blame
me if 1 am over jealous of you; l love
you so, and l feel my inferiority to that
splendid, wicked creature"
He drew her into his embrace, and,
bending his head, pressed a burning kiss
upon her brow.
Foolish little heart!" he murmured,
indulgently. you are as far superior to
her as the sun is superior to the moon,
as an angel to a sinful MORTAL"
mo, mol" she said, with surprising
frmnesa, "let there be no comparison be-
tween us. l believe that unhappy woman
to be more sinned against than SHINING.
She has been the victim of Fate, as we
have all been; so let Is not blame her,
since we know not how we should have
acted had we been similarly placed"
Il shall never see her." he replied
s~toutly.
mot even if she sent for you and be-
sought you to come to herr"
mot even then"
AS though ~envious fate sought to test
his firmness, DR.. Gresham at that mo-
ment appeared upon the piazza with a
letter in his hand. Though the cleaning
had fallen thickly upon the earth, they
both noted the CHASTITY presence of the
missive, and a minatory thrill of alarm
shot through their hearts.
"a letter for you, Lucian." observed
the doctor, affecting an u%nconcern which
he was far from feeling; 'the messen-
ger who brought 1t said that 1t was i'm
perative, so perhaps you had better step
inside to the light and read it while L
have a chat with my patient"
Cleverly planned, doctor, but not quite
c~leverly enough to hoodwink- "A woman's
Instinct Lucian Courtlandt had risen
as Gresham ceased to speak, but ere
he could take a step, Claire laid fast hold
of his hand.
"Lucian!" she cried, warningly.
He turned and assisted her to rise.
Come with me-" he said; Gin future I
have no secrets from you"
And In spite Of the admonishing glance
dealt him by the doctor, he led his wife
into the library, where a shaded lamp
burned. There he broke the seal, with
Claire beside him. The missive proved
to be a passionate appeal from Sylphide
Couramont to come to her, for the last
time IL 1t must be, but to come to her
for Justices sake.
81 shall not co." Courtlandt said, with
measured firmness. However, there Is
no reason why Gresham should not go in
my place, If he considers it expedient.'
The doctors cunning eyebrows knitted
darkly for a moment; then he exclaimed,
with sudden decision:
"Yes, 1 will go and see her; but
warn you both that If l 60 I shall not
handle her with gloves. l shall state the
case so plainly to her that / think she
will not occupy a false position in the
future"
His words implied so dark a threat
that Claire glided to his side and laid
her hand upon his arm as he was about
to leave the
Doctor" she said, the purity of her
soul within shining in her eyes, what
ever you may deem 1t best to do or say,
bear in mind that she Is a woman, that
however we may regard the case, she has
been wronged, and be as lenient as you
can"
depend upon me to be as lenient as
the case requires" was the quiet reply
81 have managed affairs thus far to my
satisfaction; / do not think l shall slip
up in the eleventh hour"
And with these words he took his hat
and left the villa, while a lurid fash of
lightning illumined his slender figure, as
It vanished amidst the shrubbery.
In . retired street Of old Newport.