“He must have gone away in anger?”
“Oh, yes, he did; but if I can only get a letter to him soon, I am sure he will come back at once. Can you give me his address?”
“I don’t know it, miss; but I will find it out from Mrs. Fleming and let you know to-morrow.”
“Oh, thank you ever so much; but don’t let Mrs. Fleming know you want the address for a girl, or she might be jealous,” smiled Annette, bestowing a piece of silver on the girl, who thanked her, and skipped away.
Scarcely was she out of sight ere Annette was confronted by the livid face of her jealous and violent lover.
“Oh, Ray, darling!” she gasped, in delight; but the young man caught her arm in a steely grasp that pained her, while he hissed into her little, pink ear:
“Don’t call me your darling, false, perjured girl, for I have heard all you were saying, and I know you have another lover who has deserted you, and whom you love better than me. But you shall never live to recall him to your side. I will kill you both for deceiving me! Die, then, perjured little coquette, and I will soon send your lover’s soul to join you in Hades!”
There was a flash, a report, and Annette sank down to the ground with a stifled moan, the blood streaming from her breast, while her maddened slayer fled wildly from the scene.
CHAPTER IX.
SHE MUST KEEP THE SECRET.
No telling how long Annette might have lain undiscovered in the rose arbor had not Letty Green, as she went up the steps of the great house, heard the sound of the fatal pistol shot.