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"Yes, sir; I heard her say she was 'spectin' you to-day"

He had an i her mistress's disposition, but a certain evasive, almost satirical expression in her eyes prevented it He was sure theto avoid any sort of conference with him

He sat down at one of the ts of the rooreen-plush-covered chairs of iht piano; the square center-table, on which were scattered a deck of playing-cards; soarettes Four straight-backed chairs at the table told a story, as did the burnt ar- stubs on the hearth Marie was not without associates, both e He recognized Marie's raised angrily Then it died away, to be succeeded by the lowwhich fixed his gaze as perhaps no other inanimate object could have done Partly hidden beneath the blue satin scarf on the piano was a good-sized revolver Rising quickly, he took it up and examined it It was completely loaded

"She really is desperate!" He suddenly chilled through and through "She got this forthe revolver into his coat pocket, he stood expectantly waiting She was co Her tread alone betrayed exciteirl under twenty-two, a pretty brunette, with Italian cast of features, and a pair of bright, dark eyes, now ablaze with fury

"So you are here at last?" she panted, pushing the door to and leaning against it

"Yes, Saunders gave ht it would bring you" Her pretty lips were parted, the lower hung quivering "If you hadn't coretted it to the last day of your life--huh! and that ht not have been very far off, either"

"I did not like the--the tone of your letter, Marie" He was trying to be firm "You see, you--"

"Didn't like it? Pooh!" she broke in "Do you think I care a snap what you like or don't like? You've got to settle with asped, in slow surprise "Why, what have I--"

"I'll tell you what you did," the wo so close to him now that he felt her fierce breath on his face "Shortly before you left you were taken sick at the bank, or fainted, or so like it, and didn't even tell h-and-hty notice--dirt under your feet But the next day you went driving with Irene Mitchell You passed within ten feet ofof Whitehall Street and Marietta You saw me as plainly as you see ht"--here an actual oath escaped the girl's lips--"you were afraid of what that stuck-up fool of a wonized me I saw it in her eyes She deliberately sneered at me, and you--you contemptible puppy!--you didn't even raise your hat toprotestations I want to tell you right now, Dick Mostyn, that you can't walk over me I'm ready for you, and I'm tired of this whole business"