The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1906-02-02
CHAPTER x.-fcont.aued.l
OR A BITTER REcKO
BY CHARLOTTE M. BRAEME

CHAPTER x.-{Cnnt.aued.)
She began methodically to remove ev-
cry article singly, placing them neatly
In heap on the table, after reading or
looking at them. Then she turned to the
other side, going through 1t in the same
way, and reached the bottom without
discovering anything more than is usually
to be found In lady's desk. With a dis
appointed air, she began to replace the
articles, when Miss Malling's address
book fell from her shaking hand on to
the floor.
She stopped to pick it up as It lay
open; and, In doing so, she saw the edge
Of a photograph peeping from the pocket
In the cover. She took It out hurriedly,
scattering, as she did so, some dead
pressed violets ON to the table. She
shuddered when she raised the tissue
paper, for It was the photograph Of a
grave!
She went to the dressing table, where
the candles were still burning, to read
the name of the photographer at the
back OF the card. The printing was in a
language she did not understand; but she
guessed 1t must be Spanish. She turned
to the picture again, and in the strong
light she could almost make out part
OF the inscription on the plain headstone
The first name, she was sure, began with
the letter "P." In order to assist her,
she procured Miss Malling's magnifying
glass, and, with the aid of that she
spelled out the name, or as much Of it
as she could see.
P-a-u-l-i-n-e" she could clearly trace;
then came blot, followed by 'I-l-in-g,
d-i-e-d May 18-." The remainder of
the inscription was undistinguishable.
Il never expected this! The grave of
Pauline Mailing! Then who Is my mis-
tress? An adventuress--a usurper! And
] shall have hand in dethroning herg
She wiped the perspiration from her
white, Quivering face, placed the photo
graph in her dress, and locked the desk.
CHAPTER XII.
Jack was by no means heartless, and
his conscience pricked him more often
than was pleasant with regard to Ethel
Mallett. He wondered a little If she had
really ceased to care for him, IL she had
yet found successor to him, or IL pique
alone had led her to offer him his free
dom. She had sent him back the little
ring he put on her finger when they were
20 happy together, and, with strange
inconsistency, he carried 1t about with
him continually.
just about this time Jack began to
think that he ought to call in Bucking.
ham street, IL only to show his gratitude
for Mr.. Mallett's many past kindnesses,
Tor the old gentleman had often been able
and always willing to do Jack a good
turn In past days. Once convinced that
he ought to do thing. Jack did 1t.
The morrow would be the first of Sep
TENDER, and the house was full Of peo-
pie who had been invited to enjoy the
abundant sport Mallingford offered. A
number of amiable young men were
lounging about the corridors and billiard
room all day, who talked Of nothing but
the probable weather on the morrow, the
chances for and against good sport, and
the respective merits of their own and
other mems guns, Jack obtained a few
words with Pauline before breakfast, and
carried his point.
II must have several things for to-
morrow" he said. II know you would
not wish me to be different from others,
going to town myself"
Pauline would have dearly liked to go
with him, for she had a horrible fear
that he would find out something II he
should call on the Mallstts. She was
not supposed to know Of the existence
Of such people-for Jack had never
spoken of them to her-so he could not
well as him not to call on them; and
she could not leave her guests without
some very serious reason; consequently
she was forced to feign q complacency
she was far from feeling as she an
swered:
"Of course, If you must 60, there Is
nothing more to be said; but you will not
stay one half-hour longer than 10 abso-
lutely necessary If don't know where
you are, have srch feeling of unrest
and anxiety that life becomes a sorrow
for the time being"
There was honest truth In these words,
and Jack was iattered and grateful for
her love. He kissed the beautiful lips,
and promised to be back at the very
earliest moment possible.
When Jack was in the train, with a
quiet half hour before him for thought,
he felt curiously cloyed with the sweets
Of love, and was ungrateful enough to
wish that Pauline would leave the love
making a little more In his hands, and
that her affection was of & less assertive
character.
Two or three hours later, when he had
rushed through the business Of the day
and stood In the Malletts' sitting room,
shaking hands with both father and
daughter and exchanging cordial greet
ings, he felt as if he had been living in
hot house Of affections for the past
weeks, and had just regained the invig-
Grating open air, where the harder,
healthier class Of feelings flourish.
He wondered little at Mr.. Mallett's
geniality, knowing nothing of Ethei's
generosity In taking the entire response
bility Of their separation upon herself,
and still less Of her fathers hope that
abe had got rid Of nameless nobody
just In time to leave the road clear for
sutton more worthy of her in every
way; and Jack felt somewhat piqued that
Mr.. Mallett should make SO light of the