The San Francisco call., 1905-04-02
& z

would call dramatic Calvinism-pre-
destined damnation without q sinners
crvn fault"
Her control was gone She could not
trust herself TO speak further and turn
ed away He waited a moment in the
doorway. but she did not move and
Win an even goodnight he left her
At the foot Of the stair, during Cor
don painful interview, black-gowned
woman had noiselessly bent over the
nan table. A letter, arrived by the
post, had been laid there by Fletcher
Tor his master. She lifted il and ex-
amined il closely. The address was
written in a peculiar. twirly handwrit-
lng, On blue-tinted paper that bore in
each corner the device OF q cookie
shell She listened, then passed with il
into the library.
The room was unllghted, but e spring
IRE 1ickered on the hearth. She caught
up paper-knife and crouching on the
hearth held its thin blade in the flame
When the metal was warmed. she soft
ened the edges Of the seal and with
oeftness that betrayed long practice
split IL OF without its breaking. opened
the note and read IL Her basilisk eyes
lighted with satisfaction-the triumph
Of a long quest rewarded Then she
warmed the wax again. replaced Il. and
as il hardened, broke il across as IL the
letter had been opened in the ordinary
manner
AS Mrs. Clerront rose TO her feet. a
thin. severe figure stood on the thres-
hold. She saw with relief that II was
Lady Noel. and handed her the letter
with a feline smile
Perhaps your ladyship viii know If
this should be preserved" she said Il
found il just now on the floor"
Lady Noeis eyes glittered at sight OF
the cockle-shells. She read II hastily
by the freight Her look was coldly
yet triumphantly malignant as she
leaned forward
Put an outer wrapper on this" she
ordered in an undertone, seal it, and
take il at once 10 Melbourne House.
Give il into William Lambs hands-to
no one else. Do you understand"
Yes, my lady" the other replied, and
left her nOiselessly. as Gordon came
slowly down the stair.
Il have left your lordship this even
ing's Courier" said Lady Noel, forbid
dinghy.
Thank you" he answered. and look
ed at il carelessly. On its exposed page
q pencil had marked an article OF con-
siderable length whose title was: The
POetical Works OF a Peer Of the Realm,
viewed in connection with Christianity
and the Obligations Of Social Life
with meaning heavinesS:
We have less remorse IN quoting the noble
lor6-he rezd-lor. by this time believe
the whole world Is inclined 10 admit that he
can pay no compliment SO valuable as his cen
sure. nor offer any insult intolerable his
praise Crede Gordon is the noble lords ar
mortal motto. Trust Gordon is the transla-
tion in the Red-Book. We cannot but admire
the ingenuity with which his lcriship has con-
verte6 the good faith Of MS ancestors into a
sarcasm of his own ouPicity-
4 simmer Of rage rose in Gordon s
throat He tore the paper twice across,
flung il down, and passed on to the
drawing-rOOm- Seeing no one, he rang
for the valet
Where is Mr. Sheridan he de-
manded-
Fletcher was carrying q wine glass
ana seemed surr-ised at the query.
He was here five minutes ago, your
iordship. Mr.. Sheridan looked very bad
when / let him in, sir. 1 was just
getting him this brandy"
I suppose he tired OF waiting"
thought Gordon. The Clermont has q
new part tonight, and Sherry's bound
for FODs Alley"
AS he bultoned his great coat, he
heard e cry from the valet. and ran
into the drawing-room TO find Fletcher
bending over the form OF the old wit.
PROSTATE on the floor. moveless, speech
less. his face swept by q oluish pallor.
Coed Cod" cried Gordon. Help