The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1911-01-20
THE WIDOW
LER0uGE
CHAPTER x.

Included In Madame Gerdy'S lease
was q cOach-house. which was used by
her as lumber room. This ola
coach-house had a small door openina
on the street, which had been in dis
use for many years; but which Noe
had had secretly repaired and proyid-
ed with d lock. He could thus enter
or leave the house at any hour with
out the concierge or any one else
Knowing it. 1t was by this door thai
the barrister went out, though not
without using the utmost caution In
opening and closing it. Then he
slowly proceeded in the direction of
the st. Lazare railway station, when
n cab happening TO pass. he hailed it..
Rue de Faubourg Montmartre, at
the corner of the Rue de Provence. !"
said Noel, entering the vehicle, land
drive quick
The barrister alighted at the SPOT
named, and dismissed the cabman.
and. after walking a few yards, rang
the bell of one Of the handsomest
houses in the street The door was
Immediately opened. On reaching the
second floor. the barrister paused,
drew key from his pocket, and.
opening the door facing him, entered
as if at home. But at the sound of
the key in the lock, though very faint,
lady 's-maid, rather young and pref
ty. with bold pair of eyes, ran to-
ward him.
"Ahi j; is You, sir cried she.
This exclamation escaped her lust
loud enough to be audible at the ex-
tiemlty of the apartment. and serve
as signal, II needed. 1t was as il
she had cried, Take care!"
Noel did not seem to notice it.
Madame is there?" asked he.
Yes, sir, and very angry. TOO. Ma
dame is in the smoking room, am
making her cup of tea. Will you
have one, sir?''
Yes replied Noel. "Show me y
light, Charlotte
He passed successfully through a
magnificent dining-room, a splendid
gilded drawing-room in Louis XIV.
style, and entered the smoking room.
When Noel entered woman. still
young, was reclining on the divan,
smoking cigaret. In spite of the
tropical heat, she was enveloped in
heavy Cashmere shawls She was
small, but her neck, her shoulders
n hn 0v>Yoos, 10l
tours. Her hands, with their tapering
fingers and rosy nails, looked like
| Jewels previously cared for. Her feet
incased in silken stockings almost as
| thin as a spiders web, were mar
vel; not that they recalled the very
| fabulous foot which Cinderella thrtist
into the glass slipper; but that Other
| very real, very celebrated and very
| palpable foot, of which the fair own.
| er (the lovely wife Of a well-known
| banker) used to present the model
either In bronze or in marble to he1
numerous admirers. Her face was not
beautiful, nor even pretty; but hel
features were such as one seldom for.
gets; for, at the first glance, they
startled the beholder like a flash Of
lightning. Her forehead was a little
high, and her mouth Enthusiastically
large, notwithstanding the provoking
freshness of her lips. Her eyebrow
were so perfect they seemed to have
been drawn with Indian ink; but un.
happily the pencil had been used too
heavily; and they gave her an I'M
pleasant expression when she frown
ed. On the other hand, her smooth
complexion had a rich golden pallor;
and her black and velvety eyes pos
sessed enormous magnetic power
Her teeth were of pearly brilliancy
and whiteness, and her hair, of pro
digious opulence, was black, and fin.
and glossy as ravens wing.
On perceiving Noel, as he pushed
aside the silken hangings, she half
arose and leaned upon her elbow.
80 you have come at last?"
/ The barrister felt almost suffocatet
by the oppressive temperature of tn.
room.
"How warm it Isl" said he; ut il
enough to stifle one!"
do you find it so?'" replied tn,
young woman. well, am actual,
shivering! It is true, though, that
am very unwell. Waiting is unbear
able to me, it acts upon my nerves
and have been waiting for you eve
since yesterday
1T was quite impossible for me t,
come" explained Noel, quite i'm
possible!.
"You knew, however," continue
the lady, that to-day was my settling
day: and that I had several heav'
accounts to settle. The tradesmen al
came. and had not halfpenny t,
give them
ut is but one day behind" he muir
mured
"And that is nothing. is it," 70
torted the young woman. "a maj
who respects himself may allow hi
own signature to be dishonored, bu
never that of his mistress! Do yo,
wish to destroy my credit altogeth