The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-08

and nothing else mattered. Honour, Morality? Truth? What are all these
 n the path pf Love? Straws to be whiried away in the storm of passion l aust to be scattered to the four winds
 ol heaven. love you, Laurie. ant | no.hing else understanding else has ever mattered."
 as he poured out his stream of pas-
 sionate words. She did not even l struggle to free herself from his grasp. All her strength seemed to have left
 ner. His voice sounded like a distant | echo- She felt the grip of his mus
 cles ike wise. and then when the l voice had died away into silence she
 ieit his burning kisses on her lips, her
 brow, her neck, her cheek And every KISS seemed to scar her soul as white
 iron sears the flesh
 l Laurfe" he cried fierceIy speak
 to me. Tell me that you will not leave me"
 | The sound of TankerIane's voice
 broke the spell which his furious pas
 sion had cast over Laura's mind The l blood rushed to her white cheeks, and ner eyes blazed with anger She struggled violently to free herself from his strong arms.
 NO, Laurie. mo-" he cried hoarseIy; | you shall not leave me. You are
 milne. Laurie, mine"; and he kissed her passionately again and again, on lips | and cheeks and forehead. You cowardr she screamed. "Oh, God will kfll-you. will strike you dead" She had lost all control ot
 herself. and scarcely knew what words had come from her lips. But every word struck home to Tankeriane's heart
 The passion slowly died from his face and hard look came into his eyes. Then he let go of the girl. and walked away from her. She flung herself on the sofa, and, burying her
 face in her hands. sobbed piteously. He turned round, looked at her for moment, and then. walking over to
 the door locked it, and placed the key in his pocket.
 Laurie" he said gently when he had returned to her side. She did not move nor answer him. But her body quivered at the sound of his voice, as though he had struck it with a whip.
 Laurie" he continued, forgive me. did not know what I was doing. love you so much. I cannot lose you. The violence of my passion carried me away, made me forget. I have been a brute. But I wish to put things straight. I wish to do what is fair and honourable. Will you talk over matters quietly with meT' The mans voice was tender and broken with emotion He stood before
 her like guilty criminal pleading for his life. But she did not answer him. 'Laurie,' he cried fiercely, T do not plead to you in the name of love;
 that would be useless, for you do not love me. only want to do what is best for you. Will you listen to me. and discuss matters calmly? I only wish to do what is right" Laura raised her tar-stained face from the cushions of the sofa, and looking at him with fear and loathing
 In her eyes.
 There is nothing to be said." she said mechanically
 There is much to be said" he re-
 torted. Let us put the question Of love aside. I only wish to consider your position.
 Laura rose to her feet with an ugly
 look on her face.
 My position" she said coldly is the one you have placed me in. Does
 it give you satisfaction to talk about it?'
 T wish" he answered humbly, ito
 make amends.
 There is nothing to be said" she
 cried. turning away from him, moth
 
 you. I am going to leave you now, and I hope Ishall never set eyes on you again. Every minute l stay in this room is a fresh stain On my good
 name. I will leave here at once.
 She walked across to the door, and,
 turning the handle, shook 1t violently
 Then she came swiftly back to Tank erlane, and her eyes biazed with an ger.
 cried. "or I will ring the bell" The mans face hardened and hls mouth closed like a wise.
 Give me the key of that door," she
 repeated, unless you wish us to De inc talk of the servants In the hotel you will not dare." he replied firm lv; you have some pride, some respect for yourself e.. . self. I know we'll enough what l ann what you have made me. Give me the key of that door
 For Gods sake be calm. Laurie he exclaimed. T wish to put things straight All the world believes you to he my wife. No one need ever know the truth. Leonore will not speak She does not love me. She is fond Of ySu' sne will not speak, for your sake. She has no wish to obtain her rights
 How dare you!" she cried. Give me inc key of that door--at once, or VIII rouse the whole hotel
 The girls gentle face was transfig- ured with passion. and no one who had seen her at that moment would have recognized the cold and courteous Mrs. rrankerlane. Her cheeks famed crim- son her hands were clenched' ana there was a light almost of madness Tn her eyes. Her body trembled from heao to foot. and the veins stood out on her forehead. If weapon had been ready e.. har hand she would have used iI, For she had lost all control of her req l son. .l,., l. o "Hush, Laurie" the man replied in 1rr, voice, you know I did not mean | that. We can be married. A divorce can hc easily arranged. l was fparrleo | in America, and divorce excites no com went there. No one will hear of it.. Then we can be married in registry office and the world will know nothinS' save that we are still man and wife. Tbere will be no social scandal. Your renutat tion will have no slur cast upon if am sure my wife will agree to an arrangement of this sort. She VII! De glad to be free" And he laughed bit terly.
 And I. too, am glau 10 be free cried Laura; "ay. glad--from the bottom or my heart Give me the Key or the door. and let me out of my prison. The mans eyes flashed dangerously So far he had confronted his temper and had assumed the position of sup pliant. But he could restrain hlhlsell no longer
 "I am sorry l have wasted my pity on vou" he said coldly. T only wished 4. ,,,bat ,yaS right I wished to