“Oh, yes, indeed; for I wished very--very much to see Mr. Bain, and I am cruelly disappointed that he has gone away without letting me know. It is very sad, very unfortunate, that he went away so soon; but if I can get his address so as to mail him a letter at once, I shall be very thankful to you!” Any one not knowing the circumstances of the case might have supposed, from Annette’s impulsive words and tearful eyes, that she was desperately in love with Dallas Bain, and that he had basely deserted her. The artful maid received that impression, and so, alas! did the jealous lover listening outside the bower. Letty Green smiled, and said artfully: “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. Cullen, the manservant, had come out on the steps looking after her, for he was sweet on the pert little maid, and as she returned he accosted her with some smiling pleasantry, to which she was about to give a coquettish answer, when the sudden boom of the pistol shot made her jump almost half a yard high, while she clapped her hands over her ears, shrieking: “Ouch! what was that?” “Somebody shooting at ye, maybe,” returned the man, whose firmer nerves made him receive the shock more coolly; and he continued: “Come to my arms, honey, and let me protect you.” She repulsed him with a coquettish fling, and they both turned and looked in the direction of the arbor, from whence the sound had proceeded.