Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-08-09
CHAPTER XXv.-(Continued.) }

ne WnOle Oh lndI Qdy bne passed IN Il
state of great anxiety and suspense. Not
until past nine that night did Arthur re-
: turn. The moment she saw his face she
knew that the hope had failed. The ques-
ton died upon her lips. He walked 81
lently into their sitting room; she helped
him off with his overcoat.
ut was as l suspected" he said at
length. MY father called upon the law
yers, and their answer was that they
had received instructions to take no fur
ther steps in the business. They could
give no explanations whatever, as. they
were bound over to strict secrecy"
Eleonore sank almost fainting into a
chair. Arthur also seemed to be COM
pletely Frustrated by the destruction of
this last hope. Unknowingly to himself,
he had clung to it as last resource;
until this had failed, he had not realized
despair.
''Then all hope of saving Penrhyddyn
Is gone" she said at last, in hollow
voice.
"All ~ he answered. "It will be my
fathers death blow!'
Wylie, then, had deceived her. Oh,
what torrent Of evil rushed through her
heart at that thought But revenge
could wait. Could she conceive any
means to obtain delay?
who are the mortgageesY she asked,
suddenly struck by the thought that she
herself would go to them and implore
delay. Her powers of fascination had
never failed yet they could not, should
not, now, in this the most momentous
crisis of her life The thought filled her
with hope. She rose from her chair with
flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.
"In reality, it is Miss Grierson who
holds the mortgage; but the affair is, of
course in the hands of the trustees-her
uncle and Mr.. Wylie."
"What-who" shrieked Eleonore.
"Her uncle and Mr.. Wylie! Great
heavens what is the matter?"
A ghastly look-a cry-and she drops
upon the ground, in a fit. Arthur calls
loudly for help. Mrs. Freeman and the
servant rush in. Then fearful scene
ensues. This revelation coming upon the
mental agones of the last few days is too
much for the overwrought brain. She
sobs, shrieks, tears and beats herself.
Wild, incoherent self-accusations burst
from her lips. One moment she calls upon
her husband in terms of passionate en-
dearment; the next, shrieks forth the
most awful threats of vengeance against
Wylie.
Throughout the night she recovers from
one fit only to fall into another. Towards
morning the paroxysms gradually decline,
and at last she sinks into q deep and
motionless slumber.
Mrs. Freeman and Arthur sat by the
bedside, and after time he said, in
whisper, what connection is there be-
tween Eleonore and this Wylie?"
You must not ask me any questions
Mr.. Penrhyddyn," she answered. quickly.
at is not my place to tell your wife's
secrets"
Towards II o'clock Eleonore awoke
but in such feeble, exhausted condition
that she could scarcely move. At the
sight of those dark, languid eyes resting
upon him, Arthur forgot all but his love.
She looked lost, vacant, at first; but
gradually the revelation of last night
seemed to break upon her mind, for she
pacify her.
He had an appointment with his father
that morning which he must keep. When
he told her that he was going, she said,
In low, faint voice, "Stoop down, dear
est, and let me look at you" She took
his face between her weak, trembling
hands and looked into his eyes until the
tears poured down her cheeks like rain /;
then she passionately kissed his lips. Put
your arms round me and hold me to your
heart, and kiss me as you used in the old
days"
His own tears flowed fast as he took
her in his arms. Then came upon her
sudden revulsion of feeling mo- no !"
she cried, trying to push him away
'curse me-kill me rather-your kisses
are fire! Oh, it is 1 who have destroyed
you! Go from me, if you do not wish
to drive me mad!'
And she fell into a paroxysm of sob
bing, that made them fear lest another
fit was coming on. But it subsided after
a few moments into means and sobs.
When he is gone, she gives way to an
uncomfortable burst of tears. But it ex-
hausts itself in time. Then her mood
changes; all that is soft and gentle has
flowed away, and her face grows set and
rigid. Goodbye to love-" she mutters
now for revenge!"
Mrs. Freeman brings her some roast
chicken. She forces herself to eat. She
feels stronger after that, and rises and
dresses. The fierce fire in her soul re-
wives her; she begins to attir herslf for
the street.
"You are surely not going out p ex-
claims Mrs. Freeman.
IF l remained here another hour in
active, should be carried out raving
mad" she answers. "Now do not ex-
postulate with me; you ought to know
by this time how useless 1t Is to oppose
my humor."