The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-04

1INSE10I spect to Viola, II
wv unworthii Y con :
T. ceiyed, al least free
from evil This
thought strengthened me, and ! was
able to face my interrogator. But all
the same. 1t was a great mortifcation
to feel that in order to explain matters
to this man must, as 1t we're. .slay bare
my most sensitive feelings.
"You know my true namc?" ! asked.
mo. But have seen You some
where Vienna, ParisI forget where.
Then you we're not called vane.'
'My name is Julian Lorraine"
Julian Lorraine he repeated. mus
ingly. II have heard that name IN the
world. and with little good attached TO
it, But II could not have referred to
yourself. You are too young. But your
reason for deception? Speak" he
said. flercely.
curbed my rising anger and, as
as well as could. told him why had
wooed Viola under a false name.
think he believed me. but saw scorn
on his face as he listened.
"The act OF a fool" he said Mr.
Lorraine. such romantic affairs should
be left to poets and noyelists. Viola
Keith would need no riches nor poverty
with the man she loved. tell you, II
I we're TO 60 tomorrow and make
known to her your doubt Of her single
heartedness. l could sha,ter the whole
fabric OF your happiness Why should
! not do sog"
1T would be the act Of iiend."
said.
He laughed. not pleasantly. Yes,
Il would will not do Il. | will even
keep your secret. and let you carry out
your ridiculous plan. But Will also
do this. | will follow you on your we'd
ding morning. and see with my own
ewes that you have married Miss Keith
IA Your right name. MOI he said,
seeing was ready TO spring from my
seat in Indignation. "Nol | will have
no protest. You have brought this up
on yourself. You have given me the
right to mistrust YOU
"Wlll you be good enough TO show me
the right BY which you interfere al
all?" / said
Until her twenty-hrst birthday /
am Miss Keith's guardian"
"A very young one. / sneered.
yes; but older than you think. Her
mother died six years ago I was then
thirty. she thought me old enough to
be her child's guardian, and ] Eiii see
the trust to the end"
The meaning thrown into the last
sentence did not escape me. 1t inn
piled that he still viewed me with dis
trust. My anger was thoroughly
aroused.
Perhaps, Mr.. Grant" said. there l.
a nearer and dearer right you wish TO
exercise over your ward-one which she
herself alone can bestow"
He drew himself up to his full height
THAT. sir. he said. calmly. "is ungen-
erous. ! had hoped that my love for
Miss Keith was matter unknown to
all save myself love her as 1t may be
beyond your power to love woman
would lay down my life for her faI
more easily than to-day lay down my
love Yet | do this, and to you, my
rival. can say, Take her, and make
her happy make her happy
The repetition OF the last three word:
was not a wish; It was a command. a
threat
Grant was still standing above me
and as looked at him saw that his
face was pale. anc on his forehead
we're drops OF moisture. His appear.
ance almost startled me; but | said
nothing. rose, and wished him good
night. Somehow, in spite Of the dislike
with which the man had inspired me
there was about him strength anC
dignity which impressed me more thar
| cared to own. He accompanied me 4
the door. When it.closed paused foi
a moment to light one Of my own cigars
Then crossed the road. AS | did 81
| glanced hack. The gas vas burning
in the room which | had just left th'
blind was drawn up saw Grant enter
throw himself into the chair which
had left vacant, stretch his arms out OF
the table, and lay his head upoI
them, like one in agonies Of gr.et III
was bewailing the loss Of the happines
that I had won.
| pitied him, but hated him. !
seemed to me that IL this man set hi
heart upon a woman's love, sooner o
later she must give II TO him. Wha
would It be II now he used all his powe
to rob me Of Viola? l knew that I'll