Our Short Story. THE STOLEN HEIRESS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143766, 15 April 1912, Page 8

Our Short Story. THE STOLEN HEIRESS.

By ARTBTOE. APPI.IN,

Author of "Tbo Gamester’s Wife»” “The Chorus Girl” “Tho Priest of Piccadilly,” etc. CHAPTER VlE.—(Contiimed.) Dolores was not thinking of Lesson; strangely enough, her thoughts flew to then to tho dead man. The drug still stupefied her. She racked hor brains to remember what had happened in that dreadful struggle. “If 1 killed tho man, I (must confess and take the consequences,” she said at last. Anger, rather than admiration for her pluck, filled Lesson’s heart. He stood by her side again. “If you confess you’ll incriminate Mr. Martin. It was with great difficulty 1 dragged tho truth from him. Not you alone, but he also is responsible for this man’s death. Will you send him to prison, perhaps to the gallows?” “You said ” He smiled. “Only, on condition that you married me.” She shrank away, covering her face. Truth comes suddenly, like lightning illuminating the black night. And at tiiat moment Dolores knew James Martin loved her. Lesson waited patiently. “Give me time,” she said at last. “1 can’t. 1 have to think of others as well as myself now. Will you ruin your life and this young man’s career, send him headlong to ruin, or—will you marry me, and save yourself and him?” There was another long silence. Lesson heard the drawing-room door open, and his sister’s voice. He walked uneasily towards the door. “I will marry you—not to save myself, but Mr. Martin.” Dolores’ voice was almost emotionless. “But if you re deceiving me ” “I’ve just told you tho truth, -hat s all. To-morrow I’ll arrange for a special license. The sooner we’ve earned and leave London the Hot lory He unlocked the door and opened it. “Come on Ella,” he said. _ “\ou vo heard her promise—she’s going to be my wife.” " Then, retracting his steps, he tried to kiss her. She kept her hilinds over her face. He laughed a little brutally. “In a few days I shall be your husband.. 1 can wait.” Lesson a little later sent Ella upstairs again to see that Dolores was safe, and made no attempt to escape, while ho entertained Yvette. He had a difficult part to play now. He suggested that they should sit in the dining-room and smoke a cigarette. “This business is nerve-racking—it’s worn me out,” ho said. Yvette curled herself up in an armchair and puffed little rings of smoke, between her red lips, while she looked at Lesson under her long, dark lashes. “Everything’s all-right now?” she said, softly. He nodded. “You and Ella will get the money, and we shall bo married quite soon?” Again Lesson nodcJcd. Ho stood with his back to Yvette, mixing himself a whisky and soda. “I’m going to see about a special license to-mor-row.” She jumped to her feet with a glad cry of triumph. She put up her face to be kissed. Paul’s embrace seemed cold. A shadow flitted across her face. “It’s getting late.” she said, looking at the clock “and 1 am fearfully tired—after last night. Ella said she could put mo up for the night. I told Peggy, not to expect me back.” Lesson turned quickly. “You’re staving here?” Yvette, ever alert and suspicious, caught a trace of annoyance in his voice. “Yes, I thought you’d be glad.” Standing on tip-toe. she put her arms round his neck. “Shall we 'have to keep our engagement secret?” “Absolutely,” he replied quickly. “Not a soul must know. Swear that you won’t breathe it to a living soul.” Y’vetto frowned. “Of course not, she replied, sweetly, “i shall be guided by you entirely.” , - Entering her own room, she shut tho door and turned the key loudly. When she had undressed she slipped on a wrapper, and sitting on tho edge of the bed, waited until she heard Lesson’s footsteps ascending,the staircase. Lighting a candle, Yyette waited patiently while the clock ticked away an hour. Then she tip-toed to the door, and noiselessly turned the key and tho handle. Shading the candle with her hand, she crept to Dolores’ room, listened a moment then tapped very gently. No amwer. She waited quite a long time. Absolute silence reigned in the house. Then she knocked again. She heard a movement as of someone getting out of bod, then Dolores’ voice: “You can’t come in.” ‘ ‘ Sh—! It’s Yvette Libertie; let me in—l must see you !”

No reply, only silence. "For your own sake let me in.” Presently she heard the key turned in the lock. The door opeued a few inches. “You’re alone?” Yvette nodded. “Speak softly. “Wliat are you doing here; what do you want with mo?” It was Dolores who spoke. . “I know all that is happening; I know the danger that threatens you. 1 thought I might be of service to you. Of course you dislike me”—ns Dolores made a movement—“and it’s no use protending now—l never liked you.” “Well ?” Dolores stood Use a statue. “In helping you, 1 may be helping myself. You seo I’m frank!” “No one can help me. It’s too late now.” , , “You’ve got into an awful scrape, haven’t you? But I understand that p au l—yir. Lesson—and Mr. Martin, the artist, are going to save yon-’’ “Is that all you came to say?’

Yvette shrugged. “I suppose you dislike me too.much to trust me. You don’t love Paul, do you?” “Love him!” Dolores laughed aloud, then checked herself, and gave a frightened glance towards the door. “He knows,’and vou shall know if you like, that I hate’ him 1 If I’d only myself to consider I’d face the truth, confess to a crime I perhaps unwittingly committed, go to prison or hang, rather than marry him.” Yvette flung aside her mask then. She was an her feet in an instant. “You’re not goieg to marry Mr. Lesson !” “Gold help me! there’s no escape. “I’s a lie,” Yvette whispered. Then her bands wont over her month as if to silence her tongue, which betrayed her- “"When did he ask you to marry “He’s never ceased persecuting me.

And this evening bo forced mo to accept him. He spoke of my father’s name and my honour. I might have forgotten both, but it seems I hold ■another man’s life and honour m ray hands.’ 3 t It takes a woman to road a woman s soul to discover the secrets or her heart, of which sometimes she is only dimly conscious herself. ‘‘Yen moan Mr. Martin.** Yvette said, getting her voice under control again. ‘The man who has fallen in lov© with you?” # . . Her dover, conning little ham worked quickly. She knew Dolores was not deceiving her. Sho was much too simple and straightforward. “So you hat© -Mr, Lesson? 1 suppose you know why ho J s marrying youP 3 Dolores made no reply. A wave of animal jealousy Bwept over Yvette. “Don’t flatter yourself ho loves you. It’s ra© he loves,’ she cried* with suppressed passion. ‘lt s only your money ho wants.” Dolor os turned her groat honest eyes on tho other woman, “My money? Of what nso is a paltry three or four 'hundred a year to Mr. Lesson? Yvette picked up her candle and moved towards the door. “Why don’t you answer me?” Dolores said, “I’m going to think over what you’ve told mo,” Yvetto said slowly, as if weighing each word. “If you 3 re wise you won’t say a word about" having seen me ho-night. If you really hate Mr, Lesson perhaps I can save you, for 1 hate him too —now. I’m not a good woman; I’ve always disliked you because I’vo been jealous of you. But there’s something stronger than hatred and stronger than love! Perhaps I shall prefer it to either. If so, I’ll save you from this hateful marriago. Wo shall meet again, but meanwhile take my advice —fall in. with all Paul’s plans and schemes.” Before Delores could speak again Yvette bad*slid out of the room and closed the dopr. . .

She was in her usual good spirits the next morning, and left the house soon after breakfast in a taxicab, apparently en route for Baker Street Station to return to Rook Hall- But as soon as the automobile turned into Cromwell Read, she loaned out of the tonneau and told the chauffeur to drive her to Morecamhe Street, Pimlico. She dismissed the cab a few yards from Martin’s studio, and mounting the white steps, made spotless by Mrs. Smithers’ weary, .work-worn hands, she rapped timidly on tho door. A policeman on the opposite side of the road watched her curiously. (To be continued.)