The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-23

NkA8 " asMfheEMH | two backwards into the darkness of the dimly-lit station. He had seen the face of Leonore looking through the glass of one of the windows. "Pinge, Pinge, Pinge." cried the por- l ter. who had closed the booking-of and was slouching along the platform, lantern in hand. No one got out of the train but the bean-fed station master appeared at the door of his house and stroked his yellow beard i. Then, with look of contempt at the train. he retired and closed the door l behind him.
 The porter. who appeared to be in charge of every department in the sta- ton, waved his lantern, and the guard of the train blew a whistle. Then | the train began to move. and not till then did Tankerlane leave the shadow | of the wooden roof. and make dash for Leonore's carriage. He knew well enough that she would have changed to another compartment If he had ap- peared moment sooner. As it was. he would be able to talk to her until the next stopping place. He opened the door, and jumping into the car- Eriage. seated himself opposite the wo- man who had once been his wife. Leonore was too astonished to cry out She was frightened. but she al- I lowed no trace of fear to show itself in her face. She merely smiled con- i temptuously.
 'It's a pity you didn't get in sooner. | she said. as he placed his hat on the | rack.
 | T suppose you'd have got out" | T shall get out at the next station. A few minutes won't matter much" I T think I can say all I want to say in that time" he replied coolly. T suppose you're surprised to see me-" l What have you been up to at Black Hall2' she queried. After your oath to me. you can lave nothing to say to l John Silil "N
 Tankerlane's face darkened as he thought of the interview he had just had with John Shil. He had had a good deal to say. and he had yet more ! to do.
 i l - sss -> eek ere I r.annnra" he said harsh- ly, I've are nothing toseach other now. But our interests are the same--you want to marry Shil. and r." He paus- ed. He wondered how much she knew. You want nothing" she replied save the love of your wife, and that you'll never get: and it is a matter i in which I am powerless to help you" He leant forward in his seat and looked into her face.
 1 Do you mean to say that you do | one told you that my wife has left me. and that she has returned to her lover, to John Shil. the man who is i going to marry you7'
 Leonore listened to his slow, incisive words as though she did not hear him. But every word, pierced her to the heart. The agony was not written on her face. and only the eyes, dull and piteous, betrayed her pain.
 Do yOu undePatand fhis90 he rn peated. Do you realize what it means? How you have plotted and planned In vain: how the man has broken free from the net you have spread so care fully for hfm?' T
 sIt is [ ile." she whispered with a white. expressionless face s'Your# wife is not at Black Hall.''
 T am aware of that" he replied cor should not have left 1t without her. Do you see this?" and he pulled out his revolver. If Laura had been at Black Hall. I'd have taken her away. even though I might have had to Kill the man you love. But she is not there. She is somewhere in the marsh- es' m some place where he has taken her l have let him live in order that I might find her. He has gone down the creek tonight in a punt-to shoot duck. could not follow him. for couldn't get boat or a man to piIot me through the marshes. And this is not all. Laura is ill-perhaps dying had 1t from his own lips, and could see that he spoke the truth. He nas gone to see her. to be with her, l IT the worst happens. and I-her hus- band--am Ahere. But. by Heaven, if sne dies. I'll kill him drst and then put bullet through my own head hope she will die," Leonore said. earnestly, and then, as if realizing fine vileness of her words. she shrank back m the corner of the carriage, and buried her face in her hands
 Ber oeatn will not benefit you" the man continued. flor I swear that r will kill him if she dies. Then there VIII be only you and I left Leonora And if don't shoot mvseIf perhaps they'll hang me-Tr, not sure, for a British 1,1rn sympathize with an outraged hhsbsnS
 But If they do. you will be left alone, Ju. ?. thls nice little quartette of ours. dont envy you. Leonore."
 She did not answer him ana tba train began to slow down. 1t had reached the next dreary shed. anna r- ently erected for the sole purpose of delaying 1t, for no one was on the plat form. and no one alighted from any of the carriages.
 Tankeriane opened the door of the carriage. but Leonore did not move
 Are you going to get into another carriage" he asked.
 'No." she replied. He closed tha door, and the train began to crawl out of the station.
 hope you see how the matter stands. Leonore?" he said after a pause
 T hope you realize that we have com mon interests and can help each other {"
 She did not answer. but stared out of the window into the darkness.
 We must separate these two at once," he continued. Laura is my wife. and have the law on my side to help me John Shil has promised to marry you, and you must keep him to his word"
 She turned away from the window and her eyes flashed.
 He Is a man of honor" she cried He will keep his word"
 "It does not look as if he intended doing so l have no doubt that he would have married you. and would never have tried to see her again, but unfortunately. she has taken the mat. ter in her own hands. She has left me and come to him for protection. At present shehs very i'll, but when she is restored to health-well, 1t will be great temptation for both of them. I am afraid, my dear Leonore, that your beloved Shil is only human after all |"
 "Well?' she asked in a dull voice What do you propose to do?"
 T propose to find her while she is still an invalid. and use my authority as a husband to take her back to Tan kerlane Court. I am now going to