The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-09

all' w. n1A1 lal1almM4HD DA0HmH0HIII | of Laura vane Like most men. and all lovers. he was totally unable to give an accurate picture of the woman, whose features were as familiar to him. as lhose pr his own face. But before he nau nnished his weak endeavor to por- tray the vision that was in his mind. Leonore's face grew very grave, and her eyes were turned away to a group of visitors who were preparing to de- part.
 You will excuse me-" she said, ria- Ing to her feet. VT will return to you moment. She crossed the room. chatted few minutes with her guests. and then, when they had departed, re- turned to John Shil, accompanied by Sir Harry Baxendale.
 Sir Harry is obliged to go," she be-
 You need't come. Shil." the Ambassa- nor interrupted. Tn fact. I would ra- ther you didn't come. You couldn't ac- company me further than the door"
 "yes." Leon6rc adGed, there is no ueed for you to go, Mf9 Shil." s
 John Shil looked round the room ana saw that everyone else had gone. His British ideas of propriety were battling with his desire to continue his conver- sation with Leonore. But he was not long in making up his mind. T will stay few minutes. Miss Jack- son." he said, that is to say, if don't bore you. I anf rather interested in fhe matter we were ydiscussing.' ,6
 Sir Harry Baxendale smiled.
 An, you young folk he said Fl envy you your interest in worlds dont think ever really enjoy a converse ton It IS aiwayssmy business to detect the falsehood. which. to Sus, in inseperable I.f f's Z With the utterance of this cheerfui sentiment. Sir Harry Baxendale depart ed, and Leonore was left alone to John Shii.
 Well. Miss Jackson?" he said eager ". 10 resume our conversation did my description-have you ever met anyone who might--who might--"
 Leonore Interrupted him with laugh. My dear MT. Shil,' she said. 'all | have gathered from your description is that the lady Is very beautiful, and that she has auburn hair. Now if you ha4 photograph"
 For reply John shil pulled out a small leather case. and. opening it, gaz- ed silently at its contents. And, as he lookeds even Leoncre, who knew Heth- tng of tho story of his life felt a great pity for the sorrow that was written in every line of his face.
 Miss Jackson" he said humbly, T feel that you are a good woman. or should not--I should not show you this --all that Is left to me of the woman -of the woman want to find She took the picture from his hand. and carefully scrutinized the features | of Laura Vane. They needed no such scrutiny on her part. for the photograph was a faithful likeness, and a mere l glance was sufficient to reveal the iden- tity of the woman John Shil was look ing for in Paris.
 But Leonore required time to think. | In the first shock of the discovery she could not decide whether to tell the | man the truth or lie boldly. It would be hard enough to tell this ardert lover that Laura was the wife of another | man, almost impossible to tell him she was the mans mistress. Then there was Laura herself to be considered. Would Laura wish this man right had he to ask about her private l affairs?
 With these doubts and dificulties in | her mind, Eeonofe did not dare to speak | or raise her eyes from the portrait to John Ships face. At last, however, her long silence aroused the mans suspl- cion.
 'sWell, Miss Jackson" he queried sharply Leonore, forced to reply. re- solved to temporize.
 q seem to know the face" she re- piled, but without taking her eyes off the photograph. Tt Is possible that I have met her someW ere. Have you .any reason to suppose that she has been herein Paris"
 1 q have every reason" he answered; {; ''she cabled to me from Paris about i two months ago"
 Leonore was silent. and still gazed at l the photograph.
 "Tell me the truth, he exclaimed roughly. You know her. You have met her--here, in Paris. For Goo saKe | tell me the truth. Miss Jackson." Leonore raised her eyes, and saw the agony on the mans white face and the | eager desire on his trembling lips. She | felt that she would require all her strength of mind to resist his pleading. I She resolved to let him know part of the truth.
 T have met this lady" she said slow ly, and here, In Paris. She has been in l this room. But she did not call her. | self Laura Vane.
 | John Shil rose to his feet, and his lips | opened, as though to frame some ques- tion. Then he turned abruptly. and.
 walking over to the window, looked
 out into the street.
 MT. Shil," said Leonore gently this Interview is very painful to you, and also to me I think that it had better l come to an end"
 John Shil turned on her fiercely, and threw all courtesy to the winds. You said just now" he exclaimed, that you only knew one unmarried wo-
 man in Pars of the name of Laura "a woman of fifty-six. Is that the truth2" Tt is certainly the truth" Leonore 1 answered coldly.
 What did Miss Vane call herself?" l "Please recollect, MT. Shil," she re- plied"that you are a stranger to me, | and that am not in the witness box"
 v humbly beg your pardon" he saiu gently. But please tell me this. Diu Nyou know this lady's name was Laura?"
 Leonore hesitated. She saw the pur-