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Walraven dispatched this little missive, and then, reclining easily in the downy depths of her violet velvet fauteuil, she fell into a reverie that lasted for upward of an hour. With sleepy, slow, half-closed eyes, the wicked, smile just curving the ripe-red mouth, Mme.
But as Mesdames Walraven, mother and wife, countenanced the extraordinary creature with the flighty way and amber curls, and as she was the ward of a millionaire, why, society smiled graciously, and welcomed Mollie back with charming sweetness. A fortnight passed the fortnight of probation she had given Sir Roger.
Walraven," said Miriam, steadfastly fixing her eyes upon him, "is that if Mollie Dane is not found before the month is out, I will publish your story to the world. What will Madame Walraven, what will Mrs. Carl, what will the chief metropolitan circles say then?" "You hag of Hades! Ain't you afraid I will strangle you where you stand?"
"Just as you please. Once is neither here now there. But you will be ready for the eight A.M. train to-morrow, Mollie?" "I have promised, Mr. Walraven, and I always keep my word. So Mr. Harkner has consented? Now, that is not flattering, is it? What winning ways you must possess to make all the world do as you say!" Mr. Walraven held up his purse, gold shining through its silken meshes.
The face of Carl Walraven turned slowly to a dead, sickly white as he heard the lawyer's words. He rose slowly and walked to one of the opposite windows, keeping his back turned to Sardonyx. "Has there been no letter, no message of any sort since?" he inquired, huskily, after a pause. "None. No one in your household knows even where this Miriam resides. As for Mr.
"And never mean to have?" "Can't say about that. I may one day." "And you are quite sure you will never want me to fill that vacant honor?" "Surer than sure, my dear little girl I want you only for my adopted daughter." "And you never saw me before last night?" "Never," said Carl Walraven, unflinchingly. "You are a very rich man, you say?"
I won't part with my best actress!" "Yes you will for a fair price. Come, name the sum; I'll pay it." Mr. Harkner opened his eyes. Mr. Walraven opened his check-book. "You do mean it, then?" "Don't I look as if I meant it? Quick, I say! If you don't look sharp I will take her without any price!" "She's a priceless treasure!" hiccoughed the manager "worth her weight in gold to me, and so "
"Not the least," folding her shawl deliberately around her, and moving toward the door: "not in the slightest degree. Good-night, Carl Walraven I have said it, and I always keep my word." "Keep it, and " But Miriam did not hear that last forcible adjuration. She was out of the library, and out of the house, ere it was well uttered lost in the wet, black night.
But society took the story for what it was worth, and shook its head portentously over Miss Dane and her mysteries. Nobody knew who she was, where she came from, or what relation she bore to Mr. Walraven, and nobody believed Mr. Walraven and his little romance.
I am almost satisfied, now, that I know I am not Guy Oleander's wretched wife." "But, heavens above, Mollie Dane!" cried the bewildered Mr. Walraven, "whose wife are you?" "Ah, guardy, I would give a great deal to know that." "Whom do you suspect?" "I suspect no one now." There was a shade of sadness in her tone, and her eyes wandered wistfully over to the young artist.
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