The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-05
CHAPTER VIII. A SnEendid pnu..m


 Mrs. William TankerIane sat before the open window of her private sitting room in the Hotel Imperial in Paris sheet of writing paper lay on inc little ormolu table before her. She held pen in her fingers, and every now and then she dipped if into A brass ink pot. as though she were about 70 commence letter. But time after tune the ink dried on the nib, and no words were written on the paper. She had changed greatly during tha Few months which had elapsed since her marriage to William Tankerlane. ana the change was not altogether for the better. Her beauty 1t is true had not suffered, and her pale face, crowned with It's aureole of copper colored hair seemed more lovely than it had ever been in the days of her greatest happiness. But there was hard look In her eyes, and coldness in the com posture of her features She had changed from laughing girl tn A queeply woman, and the change was not altogether to her advantage.
 It was clear from the luxury of her surroundings and the costly simplicity or her dress that she had made what many women would have considered a good match. William Tankerlane had splendid allowance from his father and. being himself a man of simple tastes, and with no bent towards any of the meaner vices of life he was able to lavlsh his wealth on his wife with an open hand.
 It was a glorious morning in May, a month in which Paris Is seen at it's best. Outside the window the double lines of trees looked green and cool in the brght sunshine. Easy going flaneurs of the boulevards loitered in the shade, and chattered to one an- other with untiring vivacity. Streams of pedestrians, bent either on business or pleasure, passed to and fro unceas- ingly Everywhere there was life and movement. and endless flow of good humor and serene content
 Slowly and deliberately Laura took up an envelope and addressed it to Samuel Vane Esq, Upper Leaze Farm, Laverstone," and then she laid down the pen, and again stared out of the window.
 She had resolved, In direct defiance of her husbands wishes. to write to her father. From the day after she left Laverstone. and never arrived at Mrs. Tolby's house, Sam Vane had not heard a word of the daughter that was lost to him. On the day following her departure he received two letters, one from his sister asking why Laura Vane had not arrived, and one from the girl IlCIsSlAt NltlCH AaA ~dS AOiAOWS
 Dearest Father:-For reasons I can- not explain to you. I have not gone to- Aunt Jane's. and shall not return to LaVerstone. Do not worry about me. Be assured that I have come, and shall come, to no harm. Forgive me for this step, which has been forced upon me. God bless you, and guard you. dearest. Is ever the earnest prayer of
 Laurie"
 And this message, which was hard ly calculated to allay a fathers anx- tety. was all that Sam Vane had heard from his missing daughter.
 But now. at last, she had resolved to break the silence. Day after day she had been tortured with the thought of her fathers loneliness and despair She had pictured him to herself in the home that had been left unto him desolate. An old man. broken hearted, Valnly crying to God for her return. Again and again she had implored her hus- band to let her write, and he mad re- fused. gently. but with irmness. Will liam Tankerlane, in spite Of all ms sin, had been very kind to her, and she wished to obey him. But at last she had resolved to write, and could not frame the sentences which meant so much to her.
 Once more she dipped her pen in the ink, and wrote her name on slip oi plotting paper.
 Then she heard the sound of steps and voices in the passage outside. She looked hurriedly at the clock, tore the envelope In half, threw the pieces into the waste paper basket under the ta- ble. and rose to her feet.
 A moment later the door opened, and William Tankerlane entered. accompa- nied by short. fair haired young man exaulsitely dressed and groomed.
 Laura" said her husband, as he thrust forward his blushing companion let me introduce you to Lord Portling- ton. He Is the son of Lord Crawcour an old friend of our family.
 Taura Tankerlane bow ed, and then extended her hand with a pleasant smile. The name of Portlington had