Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-02-07
CHAPTER V.


A far heavier blow was in store for
Mr.. Talmake, and fell in the shape of a
letter which came to him about month
later
1t was not very lengthy letter, but
1t brought him down again to Avrill in
q condition bordering on frenzy, and this
time he went straight to Mrs. Dene's
modest little house His interview with
her lasted for over an hour, assd it was
crushed and defeated man who, when
It was completed, stumbled through the
park UP to the Towers.
He asked for the secretary, and was
shown at once to the library, where John
Dene sat busily writing. He sprang up
in sInazement at sight of the lawyer.
"Mr. Talmakel Has anything hap
pened 7" he exclaimed.
eyes, the worst-the very worst!"
groaned the old man, sinking into a
chair and looking so CHASTITY that in
alarm John rang for brandy, and refused
to listen to a word until he had admin
istered stiff Dose Then he sat. down
opposite to him and waited in grim
silence.
1T is ruin, Dene, utter ruin!" faltered
Mr.. Talmake despairingly. 81 feared it.
told you so, but / thought we were
safe now. However look at this" and he
pulled out the letter he had received
that morning and handed it to the Sec
rotary
As john rcao it every vestige of color
left his face and his features grew n I'D
as if carved In marble.
Can she substantiate til" he asked
very low.
II fear 50. I've been with her an hour.
I've copied down enough for you to see
her case is complete. We must investi-
gate, but I've no hope. That-that--she-
aend is too sure Of her ground. Where's
Lady Ayrilifs
SIN the garden with Vincent, I think.
Let ME understand, Mr.. Talmake."
TIe TOOK the lawyers papers from him
and studied them intently, while the
old man lay back, rnieerably specializing
on this astounding turn in the wheel Of
fate.
afr. Taimake is here, my lady, and
would be very much obliged if you would
bee him for few minutes on matter
OF Importance"
Lady AvrfI, Miss Challis, and Vincent
were az In the drawing room when the
nan-servant made this announcement.
Vincent was staying to dine, and though
1t yet wanted some half-hour to dinner
Miss Challis had taken malicious pleas
nre In dressing hurriedly and coming
down early to spoil the lovers tete-a-
tete.
Honor sprang to her feet in surprise.
"Mr. Talmake hereY When did he
GOMEZ"
"Some time ago, my lady. BE has
been with Mr.. Dene."
"Ask him to come here, and Mr.. Dene
too. And arrange for two more at din
ner."
Eyes, my lady"
II wonder what this meansi" she ex-
claimed. at isn't like Mr.. Talmake to
be so startling. All, here they comet
She was standing exactly under the
central cluster of electric light, and
turned towards the door as she spoke.
Her gown of softest black crepe made
her appear exquisitely fair and served as
q perfect foil to the pure transparent
rose color in her cheeks the golden
bronze of her hair shimmered in the
blaze CT light surrounding her, and each
delicate curve and line of her face stood
revealed in beauty.
A gleam of passionate admiration
flashed for an instant in the secretary s
eyes as he caught sight of her, to be
depressed at once; but not before Vim
cent, lcunging gracefully LII an easy
chair, had observed it and smiled in ex-
ultant amusement.
How do you do, Mr.. Talmakef Is
your business veIy pressing1 Won't it
do after you have dined with So" she
asked gracicusly, putting her hand in the
lawyers
II think, Lady Avrill, it will be better
to tell 1t you now" he returned gravely.
If / can see you alone-"
"Oh, surely, that is unnecessarily
can have no secrets from any ore here"
Possibly you might prefer to hear it
IN Mr.. Vincent Denies absence" was the
blunt answer.
ooh, no! II it is Important it is right
that my future husband should hear 1t
with me. But you are frightening us,
MIR. Talmake; it cannot be anything real
ly seriousf"
1T is most serious" said the lawyer.
grieve to be the one to tell you so
disastrous a piece of news. But you
must hear it."
He sat down as he spoke in the chair
to which she had motioned him, exactly
opposite herself; while John crossed TO
the great fireplace and stood vita his
back against the marble mantelshelf, his
grave eyes closely scanning the faces 1T
the two lovers.
Mr.. Talmake held out letter to her.
i received this from Mrs. Dene this
morning" he began in the same troubled
voice, and Vincent sat up, smothering
sharp ejaculation In it she claims the
recognition of her son Vincent as the
rightful Viscount Avrill"
There was sound, but it did not
come from the girls proud lips, and she