The Washington herald., 1908-09-02
CHAPTER III.
On the Altar of Love


For more than an hour Laura Vane sat
before the IRE. aching under the blow
that had fallen upon her Her fine, sen
sitive nature shrank from the truth But
the sturdy courage she had inherited from
a long line Of clean-Hving yeomen gave
her the strength 70 face the situation
Mentally her back was against the wall.
and her vomanly nature was up IN arms
10 DO battle for the man she loved. Ex-
cuses for his conduct were ready 10 her
hand. and she flung them one after the
other against the stern. immovabIe fact
Of his sin
IN argument she was worsted- The
truth remained mistaken JohE Shn had
killed Ben Holland. Yet what woman
cares for argument All her feelings were
enlisted on the side Of her lover. and she
flung defiance in the face OF truth Yet.
strauge as it may seem, she could not
I face the Judgment Of men Her only fear
was that the world might know the facts.
and that John Shu might be brought 10
-tLe bar OF human Justice
This battle with her own conscience
was interrupted by another knock on the
hall door. there was an imperious voice
in answer 10 Q w0E-&n's protest, and
then. a few seconds later. a man flung
himself unceremoniOusly into the room
and closed the door behind him
Laura Nane rose TO her feet with fam
Ing cheeks and angry eyes The man
advanced toward her with an air OF easy
assurance, and held out his hand
Good evening, Miss Vane." he said
co0IIy. surely YOU VIII not refuse the
hand Of an old friend-of one who wishes.
and has always wished. you we'll de
paused and smiled with the air Of man
who holds the best cards IN q game OF
chance
What IS the meaning Of this lutru-
sion. Mr.. Tankerlaree she cried. stU2s
for -he moment out OF her self-p possession.
How dare you come here, aIter-afJe--
But thank Heaven, I an not without
friends You shall pay for this insult
this iDperrinence"
7 am willing 10 pay anything FOR the
I pleasure OF seeing you, Laura" he re
piled Every day seems 20 add a fresh
T beauty 70 your loveLnsss. q fresh charm
F 10 your character
'-A-s you going 70 leave the room. 1Ir
( TankerIane." she answered quietly, "0-
+ shall have 10 ring the bell and get sOue
/ of tke farm hands 20 Jhrow you out2'
T am afraid. Laura Re said politely
that you would find some difficulty II
( persladlEg them 10 obey your instruc-
lions ny father might object"
Your father" she replied calmly. IS
a. honorable gentleman. and you
. she did not finish the sentence. but +
/ was effectively completed by the con
. -emptuous look n her eyes
L Yet oGCwarGIy William Tankeriane wa.
no mark for the contempt Of a woman
Ea was tail and athletic. and his clean
& shaver, handsome face bore the sJauI
OF high 55r-h and a 6le intellect Her,
F vas no ordinary rake, given Up 70 wins
/ and women. but q man who SoCld Ihi-i
and act Only the lower part OF his fac,
. betrayed the sens1aIicy OF his soul with
iH. Tie mouth and chin told their owl
story. They spoke Of vice. without In.
. excuse which vice can f-d IN weakness
and of strength without the sense o
morality. which alone makes strength
vl-rue In ua1-
He looked a. her for a few uomeur
with a faint smile OF his lips Then h
. walked over 70 the door. opened e. an,
. looked our into the empty hs1L Apparent
j. satisfied with the result Of his IN
. specuon, he closed the door. and return
ed % within q few feet OF Laura Nane.
Now look here. Laura he said quiet