The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1908-03-06

~ EtOuTKe was SHOWN into the room. lie
was pale, but his manner was under
perfect control. He made no attempt
to approach Mrs. Spry, but, having closed
the door, bowed. and, advancing to the
center of the room, laid both hands on
the rail of a chair, which he held firmly.
lie looked then at Angela, and his brows
contracted ever SO little as if in inquiry.
He was playing to look as if he asked
himself what had induced her to adopt
O role SO extraordinary as the one she
had taken up, and his trained sense of
humbug caroe so to his aid that he asked
himself that question unfalteringly. Next
he looked at the widow, and his glance
was full o. appeal. Neither of the women
spoke a word. but Angela, with her eyes
fixed upon Q Rourke, reached out hand
sideways, and took her friend by the
wrist sliding her hand downward until
the fingers OF 30 h were interaced.
Il have received q letter from you,
Julia" O'Rourke began, Containing an
Enclosure in the handwriting of q Bitter
enemy Of mine, a political rival, who is
enraged at his own want of success. I
am here to tell you that that letter con-
tains one innuendo which is based on
truth, and only one. I am indebted
to your friend Mr.. Maskelyne. Apart
from that one truth I deny every state
ment the letter contains"
Then he paused, looking from one to
the other of his auditors Mrs. Spry
drew her hand from her companions, and
half arose, but Angela checked her.
Il begin to see, sir that | have made
a mistake" she said. II fancied you
would not dare to come here. I have
read the letter you speak Of" She could
go no further
II Supposed returned O'Rourke,
from the note which accompanied it
that you had done so. I supposed, also,
not know how you have allowed yourself
to be persuaded of the truth of those
statements, but | declare them, on the
faith of an honest man, to be without
foundation"
Angela ~ cried Mrs. Spry, II knew
it. l was sure of it. It's all q mis-
take!'
Thank you, Julia y cried the patriot j;
thank you"
At this Angela took unexpected fire,
and rising to her feet in sudden self
possession, faced the patriot with flushed
cheeks and glittering eyes.
II do not rely upon much from you,
Mr.. O'Rourke, upon which l might count
with safety from most men. But | will
ask you question or two, If you will be
SO kind as to answer them"
II will answer any question you may
ask me- Miss Butler" he answered, in
clinins his head with grave courtesy.
Forgive me if I hurt you, DEAR" said
Angela swiftly turning to her friend.
"You did not know, Mr.. O'Rourke, that
my friend Mrs. Spry was wealthy until
she herself told you sop
II knew that she was well-to-do," re-
turned O'Rourke. but l did not know
that she was wealthy. You will remem-
Der, Julia, that your statement took me
by surprise"
You did not suppose her fortune to
be greater than it really is?''
II certainly did not" said O'Rourke.
He actually smiled at this, as if the
thought amused him.
Angela rang the bell and sent for Mas
kelyne, who was in the hotel. When he
came Angelo told him of what had occur
red, and he at once told Of his converse
ton with ORourEe about Mrs Spry's
riches.
IT'S lie," said O'Rourl1e, Eraser
and | have quarreled, and he has invent
ed this story to damage me with you and
with my friends"
The widow suddenly fell on her knees
and threw up her head with shrek on
shrek of laughter. Maskelyne raised
| her, and rang the bell for assistance
O'Rourke stood staring at the pair, as
much lost for the moment as if the whole
world had tumbled in ruins about his
ears. 4 waiter knocked at the door and
entered.
Send a female servant here, and run
for DOCTOR" Angela called to him. Mrs
| Spry's wild laughter ran through the
house. A chambermaid looked in ut the
| open door and ran to her assistance. A
| dozen people were in the corridor, star
ing with frightened faces.
| O'Rourke still retained a grain of his
customary government. He walked
| down the corridor and ont of the hotel
His cabman hailed him. and he threw hin
half crown and strobe toward his cham
bers, desperate, and half beside himself
with rage. His chambers reached, h
entered his bedroom without a word and
locking the door, sat down to think Hi:
thoughts were too terrible to be endured
without emotion, and in little time h,
| began to pace wildly up and down. Nov
| and then he groaned aloud.
1t was dark, aud O'Rourke was still
raging up and down his bedroom, whe1
the maid brought up note and knocked
at the door.
whats the matter?" he asked, TN
| locking the doors and thrusting a pal
face into the light OF the adjoining room
"A note, SIR said the girl, "marke,
Immediate"
He took it and tore it open with pas
sionate eagerness. 1t was from Doh
roski, and asked him to call upon tn
morrow. He cursed Dobreski, for hi
usual suavity and seif-control had alto
gether deserted him. Then, clinehin
the note in his hand. he slammed tn
door and locked it, and fell to pacing u,