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14 A DREADFUL TEMPTATION. —
th h, and going to her private room, locked the door
and. bathed her e vollen, discolored face with a healing os
lotion.
CHAPTER V.
Xrxie remained alone in her chamber until darkness
gathered like a pall over every luxurious object about her...
Her maid came and tapped at the door once, but she sent
her away, saying that her head ached and she did not wish ae
to be disturbed. . oo
It was quite true, for her heavy fall upon the: floor had
hurt her severely ; so she remained quietly lying on a sofa
until black darkness hid everything from her confused
sight. ae
Thon there came alight tap upon the door again. ; She _
thought it was the maid to light the gas.
“You may go away, Finette, I do not need you yet,”
she said, feeling that the darkness suited her mood the, » -
best.
“It is I, Xenie. Open the door. I wish to speak to’
you,” said her husband’s voice. nea /
She went to the door, unlocked and threw, it wide open.
The light from the hall streamed in upon her pale and hag-
ard face, her dress in disorder, her dark hair loose and
dishovelled.
‘‘Tt is dark-in there, I cannot see you, my darling,” h
said; ‘‘come across into my smoking-room ‘in the light. I.
want to tell you something.” :
He took her hand and drew her across the hall into alux- |
urious apartment he called his smoking-room. ‘
It was elegantly furnished with cushioned easy-chairs
and lounges, while the floor was covered with a soft, Per-
sian carpet and beautiful rugs.
The marble mantel was decorated with costly meéer-
schaums, and chibouques. of. various patterns and mater-
ials, anda richly gilded box stood in the center, contain-
ing cigars and pertumed smoking tobacco. .
na marble-topped table in the center of the room stood .
two bottles of wine, and tworichly-chased drinking glasses, |
‘* Well?” she inquired, half-fearfully, as he drew her in
and carefully closed the door.
‘‘T have made my will, dear,” he said, looking at her
with a curious smile. ey
‘‘And you have cut Howard Templeton off without a
shilling?” she said, anxiously. oT. San
‘Yes, darling, I have made you the sole heir to all my
wealth,” answered the old man, drawing his arm around
her shrinking form, ‘‘But perhaps you will wish the old