Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-12-25
CHAPTER XIII.


herself; but hers was an indiyidua lii ,
not easily hidden under large plaid
travelling wrap and plain black bonnie,
and veil. Al any rate. Mr.. DAVIS wa,
not deceived by them, and guessed who
his visitor was the moment she was
shown into his dusty little private office
ne remained standing silent and mo-
tlonless. with his bright. beadlke eyes
watching her from under his heavy brows
until she felt almost hysterica
| nave come with reference to an adj
vertisement in this mornings Times" she
began. Il believe you inserted it?"
| NO. She looked incredulous for a
moment, then said: Then, if you did not,
you know who did, and you will favor
me- with their address"
What for?"
Il wish to see them"
"Why?"
"Why.' Pauline drew herself up
proudly, for she was getting irritted as
she answered. Il think that is my bust
ness"
Not at all. 1t is ours"
on Will surely not refuse to let me
nave the address of the person who put
that notice in this mornings Times, when
tell you that | came on Sir Geoffrey's
behalf am. in fact, relative of his
1t says it is for Sir Geoffrey's decided
advantage" But how"
That's my clients business. LAWYERS
never reveal their clients affairs"
but, If you will neither tell me your
SER nor give me your clients address,
how can | find out for Sir Geoffrey what
the advantage isl"
Send him here himself"
He can't come. He is very Ill.," she
told the lawyer
Ihen we must wait until he's we'll"
lou will absolutely tell nobody but
hlmseif what this wonderful advantage
s?'
"No one"
Pauline rose from her chair and they
looked steadily Mt each other for n few
seconds. She gathered her energies for
her last effort. She placed her hand on
the table between them, and leaned for
ward slightly.
What is your price for the address
/ want?'
DAVIS eyes glittered. Two thoughts
passed through his mind before he an
swered: You have shown your fear by
the offer of a bride; and heaven save
the Frenchwoman If betray her. for
you will certainly murder her. Then
he spoke:
THE information you ask for is price
less"
Il can give moro than you think, per-
haps. One hundred pounds A pause
1.-TWO hundred-three hundred-four
hundred-five."
Il have answered; it is priceless"
She looked for one instant as if she
would spring on him and tear the secret
from him; then there came the sullen
look Of one beaten and batlled, and she
turned without another word went
down the rickety stairs, and re-entered
the cab which had been waiting for her.
Pauline had counted confidently on
making a bargain with Messrs DAVIS &
Raven. She believed that some unknown
person had accidentally found out GER
tain facts Of her past life which she had
pressing reasons for keeping secret, and
she thought she had only to offer them
good price for their silence and the
matter would end there. Now that she
was once more in her own room, wrap
ped in warm dressing gown, and with
leisure to think, she began to see that
there was something more than the mere
greed of gain prompting her unknown adj
versary.
This fighting in the dark was alarming.
If she only knew from what quarter
to expect the attack she might be able TO
make some sort of resistance: as it was.
there was nothing to be done but sit
down and calmly await the onslaught
On one point only could she make M
her mind-She must hurry on her mar
riage. Let her once be Jacks wife. and.
no matter what phantoms should rise
from the past to threaten her, she would
at least he sure of his love; for she
would love him so dearly, she would be
so gentle, 50 winning, that he would not
be able to withhold his love from her.
even though he should grieve to find her
other than he had thought.
And 80 that evening she got Jacks
consent that they should he married a
fortnight hence, on the 18th of Septem.
ber the day after she reached her TWEEN
ty-iifth year.