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Stee Se ade eee ani
meat ce ht ie we we
Ee ee neat Me a ee I Te Bs eee
Den Cerca
meeting with Blair, and this subsequent discovery, she fell
to the pavement in a deep faint. | “ a
i
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Mr. Austin AMBROSE was pacing up and down, in tiger
_ fashion, the extremely luxurious sitting-room, waiting for
Blair to return from the Rivanis’; and Austin Ambrose was
‘ anything but tranquil and at ease.
Hitherto fate had played into his hands so completely
that he had run his career of villainy assmoothly asa well-.
oiled piston-rod works in its cylinder, but the sight of Lot-
tie in Naples, close to his elbow, rather upset him.
The countess had gone to her boudoir some half an hour
since; but she had languidly dropped a few words indicat-
ing that she intended remaining up for Blair, and Austin
Ambrose listened intently now and again to hear if Blair
went straight to his or her room. oo
Presently he heard astep upon the stairs; it was Blair’s,
but heavier and slower than usual, and it stopped at Aus-
tin’s door, and Blair knocked.
Austin was almost guilty of an exclamation of sur- ©
rise as Blair entered, for the handsome face looked so
haggard and wearied that it might have been the face of
a haunted man. ;
‘“You’re late,’ he said, speaking lightly. ‘‘ Had a
pleasant evening, I hope?” .
Blair sank into a chair, and his head drooped upon his
breast; then he looked up and motioned to the table, on
which stood a liqueur stand.
‘‘ Mix me something—any
and his voice was dry and hoarse.
‘Austin, I have seen Lottie Belvoir!’
Austin Ambrose started, and he set the glass down with |
a little thud. Then he smiled.
‘* Not really!’ ;
Ves, Iwas right, and you were wrong; it was she
whom I saw. Poor girl! Lottie—who used to be the
brightest and the gayest of them—in Naples, starving and
in rags,” bys
‘Té ig very strange! The last I heard of her,” said
Austin, his face pale with suppressed excitement. and
_. fear, “\she was traveling with a dramatic company. Did
she tell you——”’ oy .
‘She would tell me very little or nothing, said Blair
with a sigh,
. 5 g breath. Lottie had stood
- Austin Ambrose drew a lon
firm, then! |
I,
WILD MARGARET, - | 40°
thing, there’s a good fellow,”
‘“A pleasant even- -
ing,” he laughed grimly, ‘‘you shall judge for yourself.
ren
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