The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1915-11-03
CHAPTER Xiv.


1t was strange, she reflected often
In the course of her lonely rambles,
how the glamour round that man per-
sisted In spite OF the laying bare OF his
treachery She had told Oswald that
she had hated Victor Steele, and that
in sense was true She hated him
not SO much for the wrong he had
done her, as for possessing himself
of her heart beyond hope, 1t seemed,
OF election. Woman loves best the
first time, man the last" a poet had
said. She wondered II that was al
ways true. More often, she fancied
the charm belonged not SO much to
the first person loved as to the first
falling in love. That first encounter
with Victor had In 1t something clan
destine. something adventurous.
At that moment shadow fell across
her path. She was walking along the
road close to her house. She looked up
and saw a man in a light tourist suit
standing before her in the act of rails
ing his hat. Had not her thoughts
been 80 busy with the past she might
not have recognized him. But she was
Just then musing over that conflict be-
tween Victor Steele and the other man
there was the other man. .[
Erdsiey Stands +t
Suddenly Before Her.
He had changed very little. Four or
five years do not make much differ-
ence to men in the latter thirties. HIS
vulgar face wore the same triumph
ant sheer she had seen on it when he
had denounced her to Mrs. Richards IN
l- Ia rxiyr <Nf m a
Irritation with Victor Steele. 1T
She, took all this in at the very
first glance On her face she hoped he
read only the faintest suspision of sur
prise at thus being acccsted by stran
ger. Without deigning the least fur
Their notice she walked past him with
out puckering her face
But he spoke to her as she passed
and walked at her elbow. you must
pardon me addressing you, Mrs. Var
new" he began. II don't know If you
remember me-"
II do, quite WE'LL" she said sharply.
THAT is why l decline to have any
conversation with you and am amazed
at your audacity in addressing me-
'Ho!" he snarled. as If about to be
guilty of an impertinence; then think,
ing better Of 1t, he went on more hum
bly,. Il apologize for intruding up n
you, but came all the way from Eng
land to communicate some informa-
ton which deeply concerns you-and
your son"
He looked very hard at her.
She quiekened her pace, resolved
not to speak with him, but she was i'm
pressed by the earnestness of his man
ner 1t was unlikely that he should
have stumbled across her path here In
Switzerland by accident; on the other
hand, no man would undertake such a
journey for the mere sake OF being Of
fensive. Also she noted that he knew
her married name.
Say what you have to say at once, y
she commanded him. II cannot believe
that you OF all men can have anything
to say which could interest me-"
Really, you are mistaken. It may
or may not surprise you to learn that
am intimately acquainted with Sir
your late husbands next-of-kin."
81 did not know that" replied Les.
lie coldly. Nor is that at all a recon.
mendation to me. Have you come on
behalf Of Sir Ralph?"
Probably he was one OF the Baro-
nets creditors sent to appeal to her
generosity or family pride. Poor Sir
Ralph. she reflected, could not con-
ceivably have chosen less accepta BILE
ambassador.
mo. madame" said Mr.. Erdsley, 81
am here without his knowledge. and
very much against his inclination If
he happened to know It," He laughed
disagreeably. II suppose you know
that Sir Ralph is conspiring to GUST
you and your son from your proper.
typ"
II suspected as much" Leslie spoke
without a tremor. She turned with an
incredulous smile toward the company
promoter: Are you here to befriend
ms?'
THE idea seems to strike you as
funny. but 1t is SO. Hang it all, Mrs.
Varney, because four or five years ago
you snubbed me and lost my temp er
and rounded on you it's rather absurd
to treat me as an enemy, isn't it,"
She gave slight shrug to her shout.
ders. Il have my own opinion Of your
behavior on that OCCASION" she said,
but l shall know better how to regard
you when you have explained your
business with me further"
They passed the gate of the villa,
but she did not ask him to enter. They
walked on in the direction Of the lake.
II returned from Egypt"-she start.
ed little-"ftve days ago." the man
went on. II inquired at your London
address and was told that you were
In Switzerland. With some little trou.
BILE and expense-he pretended to
Taught found that you were here.
So here am. called at your house
ing. ->np' and heard that you were out.