New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-02

now at hiding her tears; but her eyes shohe with
another light than that Of grief
"Dad." she cried fercely. az shs'nt have you
torn and hsrried this way refuse, do you hear !!
II IL nv turn to bear some Of the suffering, some
OF the eacrifce ! am young and strong, and
you have trained me we'll for the battle. My
mothers story must not become known. we must
save her, you and l. Isn't IL by such means that
our worth IL tested7 Do you think III shirk the
ordealH No, thousand times, no! We can't talk
reasonably tonight. We would rend each others
hearts But tomorrow, when we are ealmer, we
must look at things fesrlessly and take the road
that leads TO honor no matter what the cost"
Her father stroked her hair to still her frenzy,
Just as he had often done in the stress Of some
childish tantrum; for Yvonne had never been
demure little saint but owned in full measure the
defects Of frank and impulsive temperament
Don't let US give way to hystera," he said,
smiling wanly "Of course II my fault |
cracked up first; but shant offend again. Per
haps as you say may take more level headed
view of our difficulties in cold daylight. But to
prepare you, so to speak, must warn you that
your mothers chief enemy Is that chur Ray
mond"
raymond" Again was Yvonne almost choked
with apprehension. How could her father suspect
the devilish scheme the secretary had hatched7
Had Lorry probed the depths Of the mans evil
mind? Her brain swan, but she compelled her
faculties to remain alert.
"Yes-Raymond" her father was saying. 81
have no absolute proof; but am convinced that
he overheard your mothers frantic words OF self
reproach when the Hirondee was coming up the
river. The very agent he is employing In Paris,
ostensibly in aid Of your quest for poor Madeleine
Is really engaged In a search into the early roc
ords Of our lives, your mothers and mine. The
inquiry is . simple thing. II Raymond has not
secured tho necessary evidence already IL Is only
a matter Of hours before It Is in his hands. Then,
unless q miracle happens, he can dictate his own
terms. Worst Of all, your mother will be In his
power as long as she lives, and an unscrupulous
scoundrel, such as believe Raymond to be, could
cause untold mischief after her death"
Yvonne rose to her feet and Strengthened her
1.-the, slim body. With a determined gesture she
brushed away mist from before her eyes. 81
want to ask few questions" she said. "You
will be quite open and candid with me, know,
because it Is necessary that we should meet the
trials Of the next few days with the clearest
knowledge Of each others aims. Do you think It
is possible to make any arrangement with Ray
mond that would be binding7"
"The blackmaer's appetite only grows by feed
ing. Pay him a very large sum to-day and he will
demand four or Ave times the amount within a
month or a year There is fnaity. The wolf
may eat to repletion, but 1t will continue TO slsy
in lust of killing"
as there no way Of defeating him"
"Lorry, l limited. hit a notion. have
means Of knowing exactly what legal steps Car
mac and Stella took to make their marriage valid.
Carmac might have been advised to establish, or
secure American citizenship. Moreover, French
law may adapt itself readily to American stand
ards. Those points for lawyers; but want
you to go into the matter thoroughly with your
mother and ascertain whether or not there exists
any sort Of legal barrier that may serve to keep
this jackal from devouring her. That is
son why have opened my heart to you tonight"
Yvonne had Mrs. Carmac's trick Of wrinkling
her brows when in deep thought. Many time
had her father chaffed her on the habit, and pre-
tended to wait in breathless suspense till the
oracle announced its weighty decision. But the
cressng Of the smooth forehead passed unnotced
now. They were no longer lighthearted play
mates, but a man and woman bordering one OF
life's most narrowing problems.
Raymond can get nothing at all unless he acts
through Rupert Fosdyke," she said collectedly
"Why shouldn't an arrangement be made with him
-Fosdyke, mean? It's all question Of this
to him and his sisters? Surely they would leave
her sufficient to live NJ"
Youth is sanguine Yvonne had reached the
same conclusion as Tolemache-that if money
really the root Of all evil the noxious growth
that had sprung into such vigorous existence in
Pont Aven since the feast Of Saint Barbara might
be torn out bodily.
But Ingersol thought the discussion had gone
far enough for the time. Certainly a settlement
reasonable lines might be effected; but 1t was
impracticable to form anything in the nature Of
fixed opinion until Yvonne and her mother had
talked matters in the light Of full under
standing. Something was gained in the fact that
the last obstacle in the way of complete confidence
between Yvonne and himself had been thrown
down. His manner showed how beneficial this be-
lief on his part might prove. He sprang up with
o certain alertness of movement that was eloquent
Of new born hope.
"No more talk tonight, Mignonne," he cried
cheerfully. "Now that we know the worst, we can
fight in the open side by side. Hitherto have
felt that l was treating you unfairly in withhold
ing from your ken the most damaging item in
your mothers catalogue Of worries. Tell her what
! have said. l want you TO speak without reserva-
ton. Then, if she is equally candid we shall
know just where stand and whence the main
attack may come"
Unhappily Yvonne was aware, when kissing her
father good night, that the enemy was attacking
already; but she held steadfast to the resolve not
to disclose Raymond's brazen scheme at present.
yhe day had produced sufficient wretchedness of
spirit already that she should decline to add to its
plethora of misery.
So the two parted, and Yvonne, when safe In
the solitude Of her room, knelt and prayed that
some ray of sunshine should pierce the gathering