The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

â€"Old {hitch Song. tramlated by Tom Du“. Poor Dore. had no graceful words ready; her heart was full of gratitude, but she knew not how to express it. Ronald looked at her anxiously, and she caught his glance. ' “ Now." thought Dore. " He will not be leased." She tried to say something of or pleasure in seenng them, but the Words were so stiff and ungrscioue that Ronald hastened to interrupt them. A luncheon of fruit and wine weebrought out into the garden. and they talked merrilyâ€"of Esrlescourt and the dear old friends there; of the bell and Prince Borgeni; in all of which Dore felt that she had no LOVERS YET. .â€"â€".â€" (By the author of “ Madoliue'n Lover)? “ You must learn to love us," said Val- entine; “We are your husband's dearest. friends." â€" - . s g “NU- Who was this beautiful lady, with her fair face and golden hair? The same face she saw that Ronald had painted in his picture. and every one ad. mired. How graceful she was! How she talked! The words seemed to rigple like music over her perfect lips. W are had Ronald known her? Why had he never told her of Miss Charteris? “ Ah," thought Dora, “ if I could be like her!" And a sudden sense of wonder struck her that Ronald had not loved and married this fair and gracious lady. . ‘ mung-vu- -u.â€" -â€"-_ â€"__ Valentine neither forgot nor neglected her. She triedtodmw her into their con- versation. but Dora replied so uneasily mdeobriefly to all her remarks that she saw the truest kindness was to leave her alone. - - .1 g I-Ivuvu They spent a few hours pleasantly, and Lady Charteris would not leave until Ronald promised to take his wife to spend a long day_ Witl‘l them. _ , _ n-.. n--- n -..:A ." _..__ 7 7,.»‘v ”{VflgnI'the day Yum settled the ladies drove away. and Ronald watched the ear- riaggyntjl it was outlgf sight. 'v I , -_:AJ T-J-. “ My dear Valentine." cried Lady Charterie, when they were out of hearing. “ my dear child, what could possess Ronald Earle ? What could he see in that shy. awkward girl to induce him to give up everything and go into exile for her sake? She is not even pretty." -1; ingrfififiiéiure he loved her." said Valentine,warml_y, “angi lovgs he}: 903v.” “ She is altered, mamma," Valentine. . -_ . n1 I VX1133}: ! " interrupted Lady Charteris. “I should imagine she is, and null: py too. She is frightened to speak-aha as no style, no manner, no dignity. He must have been insane." - _ v m‘_-.â€"â€", .. _._ “That isjust the mystery," replied her motherâ€"“ a clever man like he is, accus- tomed to intelli eat and beautiful women. I shall never un eratepd i_t.:' uDo not try." said Valentine. calmly. " She is evidently nervous and sensitive. Imean to be a true friend to Ronald, mamme, I shall try to train and form his wife." unv- Poor Dora! She was already trained and formed, but no one would understand that. People do not expect the perfume o! the rose in a wild strawberry-blossom, or the fragrance of the heliotrope in a common blue-bell. Yet they wondered that in this simple girl. ignorant of the world and its ways, they did not find a cultivated mind, a graceful manner, and a dignified carriage. Their only thought was to train and form her, whereas nature and not art hadidone both. “Dora," said Ronald. as the carriage disappeared from view, “ try to like Lady Charterie and her daughter; they are so kindly disposed toward you. I shall be so pleased to see you good friends." :1 will 3153'." _ she replied. cheerfully. I3! mLAL fight-c.1331! me about her. You reniem- red hot fageexactly: should you remember “I will trim" 'ahe replied. cheerfully. ” How beautiful she is. Ronald! That 13 they lady _y9‘u cal-l Qyineve‘r'e in your iiine s8 well? -16 wus 113; first touch of jealousy stirring in “39 nipple lgving‘ 139mm“ ..\ , ,,,9|, " Far better,“ Veaid Ronald. with smile; and then be looked up in alarm. for Dore was weeping wiidlbfnq filinging to him. " Oh, fioneld." she said. “ for your sske I wish I wee like her. Shell you ever tire of me. or wish you had not married me?" Ronald soothed end comforted his wife, and did not return to his studio that ds , but est talking to her. telling her how noble sud good Vslentine Cherteris wee. GPAPTER XII. ‘ It is very seldom that s men of good dis-w Eoeition does wrong wilfully. Roneld srle would hsve felt indignant if sny hsd sceused him of dishonor or even neglect. He thought Dore enjoyed herself more st home then in society; consequently he left her there. Hsbits soon grow. The time come when he felt it wss the wiser course. He felt more st his case without her. If Dore by chsnce sccompsnied him. he wstehed her suxiousl '. fesrful lest others should discover an comment upon the little deficiencies she felt so scutely. The visit to Lady Chsrteris was duly ‘dâ€"s day thst Ronsld enjoyed. and re thought would never end. She could not feel st home with these fine ladiesâ€" slthough Lsdy Chsrteris wee kind to her and \‘slentine lsid herself out to please-â€" not even when V’slentine. pitying her shy, timid msnner sud evident constrsint. took her out into the srden end tried herd to win her con deuce. Don‘s heart seemed to close sgsinst the besutifnl, hrillisntlsd who knewher husbsnd sud sllhis fries so well. A fierce hot breath M 90 I thought Love wu most charming. But in hh not caush‘ My one was Alumina. A tyrant is Love. And he hold. ul while dying, Mgofirwightioldl t3. doivo; ' I l an un cry us. At 16 u the chance. Pox such as would dunes. Amupomqnt‘and laughter wuwuov - __V ,fifi" Boilinod ac my marriage. But I cuned soon after bliss to dllpcrage . Win: c husband on grumbling And imps bowling tree, "1"“ bewildering cud bumbling; Could the dance than suit. me At 15 is the chance. For such a would dcuce. A Won-Ir- Avon-l. of of jealousy stirred tne simple nature. Ronald talked to Miss Charteris of manual all unknown to her;they seemed to have} the same thoughts and feelings. while she‘ was outside the charmed circle, and could never enter it. She watched the growing admiration on Ronald's face when Valen- tine played and ash , and her restless heart grew weary an faint. She had never ielt jealous before. When Countess Rosali talked and laughed with her hus- band. treating him sometimes as a captive and again as a victor. Dora never cared; but every smile on this fair woman’s face pained herâ€"she hardly knew whv. ‘ When Miss Charteris. under pretence of ; showingher favorite flowers.toek Dora away ‘irom the others. and condescended to her as she had never done to any other, actually caressing the anxious little face and offering herself to he Mrs. Earle‘s true friend. Dora’s heart closed against her. She only replied hy faint monosyllables. and never raised her dark eyes to the face turned so kindly upon her: u . s A, L:_ _--.-_.. m:'n nluuu: u When Ehnald had taken his young wife away. Lady Charteria sat. with her daughter in unbroken silence. “Poor boy." said the elder lady, at length, “and poor Dora! This is one more added to the list of unhappy mar. riages. How will it end?" As she watched the sun set in the golden west Valentine asked herself the sage queetiogâ€"ffii‘qwnwill it end? " "A -L _ __-.. :-..‘I.u‘n nusuu \ uvu-gvâ€" .. If any one had told Dora she was jealous she would have denied it indignantly, although Valentine was seldom out of her mind. From pure kindness Lady Charteris wished Ronald to paint her daughter's portrait; it was to be a large picture they could take back to Greenoke. He was pleased With the commission. and began to work at it eagerly. Lady Charteris came with Valentine, and remained with her during the long sittings, doing everything in her power to please and win the artist's timid wife. you. ...v. The fair face. in its calm.Grecian beauty. grew upon the canvas. Many a long hour. when Ronald was absent. Dora lingered over it. The portrait had a strange fascina- tion for her. She dwelt upon every feature until. it the lips had opened and smiled a mocking smile at her. she would not have been greatly surprised. It was less a pic. ture to her than a livxng. breathing reality. She would watch Ronald as he worked at it, eager and enthusiastic; then, looking up and finding her dark eyes riveted upon him with so strange an expression, he would call her to see what progress he had made, and. never dreaming of the growingjealousy in Dora's heart. speak with an artist’s delight of the peerless features. ~l A__._ J‘-. uv.-b_- v- -._v r ___________ Without any great or sudden change, day by day Dora grew more silent and reserved. She was learning to hide her thoughts. to keep her little troubles in her own heart and ponder them. The time was past when she would throw herself into Ronald’s arms and weep out her sorrow there. Ronald did not notice the change. Home seemed very dull. It was a. great pleasure to leave the solitary little villa and sit in the brilliant salon of Lady Charteris' well- appointed house. It was pleasant to exchange the dull monotony for sparkling conversationAand gay society, “ ,,,, Valentine had inany admirers. Every one knew the Prince di Borgezi would gladly have laid his fortune and title at her feet; but she cared for neither. Ronald often watched her. as noble and learned men offered their homage to her. She smiled brightly. spoke well and gracefully; but he never saw in her face the look that he once remembered there. Lady Charterie de lored her daughter's obetxneoy. She too Ronald into her oonfidence.and confided to himher annoyâ€" ance when one suitor after another was dismissed. Ronald was not particularly vain. Like most men. he had a pleasing consciousness of his own worth; but he could not help occasionally remembering his mother's assurance that Valentine cared for him. Could it have been true ? Was there ever a time when that beautiful girl, so indifl’erent to all homage, cared for him ? Could there ever have been a time when the prize for which others sighed in vain was within his grasp, and heslighted it? He did not dwell upon these thoughts, but they would come into his mind. It was seldom that a day assed without his calling at the pretty house where Lady Charteris always welcomed him kindly. She was sorry for him. He was never dc trap with her. Occasionally. too. she drove onttosee his wife; but the visits were rather more of duty than of pleasure. rather more of duty than 0! leasure. Then Dora‘s health fail . She grew week and languidâ€"irritable at timesâ€"as unlike the smiling. blushing girl Ronald had met in Earleseourt gardens as it was possible for her to be. He wrote to tell his mother that at length there was hope of an heir to their ancient house. He was very kind and patientto his ailing. delicate wife, giving up parties and soirees to sit with her. yet never able to guess why Dora‘s dark eyes looked so strangely upon him. Lady Charteris had planned an excursion to some picturesque turn that had pleased her daughter. who wished to make aeketch of it. Ronald was asked to join them, and he had been looking forward for many days to e few pleasant hours away from all care and anxiety-out in the beautiful country with Valentine. But when the morning came Dora looked pale and ill. She did not ask him to stay with her. but he read the wish in her face. " I will not go. Dora,“ said her husband, " I will not leave you. I shall send a note 0! exouee to Lady Charteria. and take care of you' all day." "Is Miss Charterie going?" she asked. quietly. " Yes: and eeveral others.“ he replied. " Then never mind me.“ said Dora; " do not give up a day'a pleaenre for‘ my." Ronald migb: hnve eased there wee aomethin wrong from ewne ofhervoice. bu‘ Ron d wee not of a suspicious nature. " Now. Don." he said. gently. "y ou know I would give up every pleuure in the wotld‘lor you.“ _ 1°99“?! He bent over her. and klased the pale little hoe. Time had been when the simple heart would b." thrilled with htppiness at his words; but Don grew cold uni hardt “"1t naeâ€"ti u; be dwaya no.“ she thought. " before she came win: her hunky and took him from me." How much misery would have been averted hsd the cold Rondd of her jedoua thought: sad (an! H. never Inspected in the them. When he returned home. looking hnght and happy, she would ask hun. “Have you seen Miss Charterie today?" and be. glad of her interest in his friends. would reply that he had been In her mother's house.e.nd tell her of munie he bed heard or peeple he had met. or of Valentine's messages to her. So Doreted the dark. bitter jealousy that hedorept into her heart. ' ‘ ' ‘ 777 3-“ I-.. "DI. uvua Us It was a groud but anxious day for Ronald when e wrote to tell his mother that he was now the father 0! little twin daughters.two retty fair babes. in place of the long-look -for heir of Earleeoourt. Lady Charteris was very kind to the lonely young motherâ€"so kind that. had she borne any other name. Dora must have loved her. A glimpse of the old hep iness came back. for Ronald was pron and pleased with the little twin sisters. One bright morning, when Dora had been taken down into the pretty room where the infants lay sleeping. Lady Charteris and her daughter came in; Ronald joined them. and there was a long discussion as to the names. .I l ,,,,,,, _ n uonvuwevu u... .- vâ€". ._..___v “You must have an eye to the future." said Valentine. smiling. "These little ladies will be very grand personages some day. It wouldbe a nice com liment to Lady Earle if on called one He ena." “ I have m e my choice." said Dora. in aclear ringing voice. “ I shall call this little one with the fair hair Lillian, the other Beatrice.” A faint flush rose to her face as she spoke. She would allow no interference here. This smiling beauty should not give names to her children. ‘ " I admire your choice.” said Lady Char- A -â€"__â€".__-LL-. teris; uBeatrice and Lillian are verypreuy names." When Valentine bent over the cradle and kissed the children before taking leave, Dora said. “ I have had my own way. you see, Miss Charteris. with my little ones. Mr. Earle did not oppose me." Valentine thought the words harsh and strange ; she had no olew to their meaning. She could not have imagined Dora jealous of her. She made some laughing reply. and passed on. Dora was not lonely now, the care of the little ones occupying her whole time; but far from their binding Ronald to his home, he became more es- tranged from it than ever. The pretty picturesque Villa was very‘ small ; there was no room available for a nursery. Wherever Dora sat, there must the little ones he; and although they were very charming tothe mother and the nurse, the continued cries and noxse irritated Ronald greatly. Then he grew vexed. Dora cried. and said that he did not love them, and so the barrier grew day by daybetweeu those who should have been all in all to each other. guy.- ‘5 The children grew. Little Beatrice gave promise of great beauty. She had the Earle in her face, Ronald said. Lillian ween. fair. sweet babe, too gentle. her mother thought, to live. Neither of them resembled her. and at times Dore wished it had been otherwise. Perhaps in all Ronald Earle's troubled life, he never spent a more unsettled or wretched year than this. " It isimpossible to paint," he said to himself, “ when dis- turbed by crying babies." So the greater part of his time was spent away from home. Some hours of every day were passed with Valentine; he never stopped to ask himself what impulse led him to seek her society ; the calm repose of her fair presence contrasted so pleasantly with the petty troubles and small miseries of home. When Miss Charteris rode out he accompanied her; he liked to meet her at parties and balls. He would have thought a day sad and dark wherein he did not see her. uvnn When the little ones reached their first birthday. Valentine with her usual kind thought, purchased a grand assortment of toys, and drove over quite unexpectedly to the villa. It was not a very oheerfulaoene that met her gaze. Ronald was busily engaged in writing. Dora, flushed and worn. was vainly trying to stop the cries of one child. while the other pulled at her dress. The anxious. dreary face struck Valentine with pain. She laid the parcel of toys down. and shook haudewith Ronald, who looked somewhat ashamed of the upect of afiaire. Then turning to Dora she took the child from her arms. and little Beatrice, lookingatherwith wondering eyes, forgot to cry. ,,,_L fi-__ 4.. nv-n â€" 'v ‘- “iou arernot strong enough. Dora. to nurse this heavy child,” said Miss Char- ;eris. “Why do you not find somebody to help you ?" " We cannot afford it." said Ronald, gloomily. “ We spend too much in gloves and horses.“ added Dora. bitterly; but no sooner were the words spoken than she would have siren the world to recall them. gcvn,, "vu-u uâ€"uvv n"'â€" .â€" onnld made no irenlgfl and Valentine anxious to avert the storm she had unwittingly mined. drew attention to the W U. {Vhen Valentine left them, Dora and Ronald had their first quarrelâ€"long and bitter; he could ill brook the insult her words impliedâ€"spoken before Velentine. too l- and she for the first time showed him how an undieciplinedmntrained nature can throw 03‘ the restraint of good manners and good breeding. It was a quarrel never to be forgotten. when Ronald in the height of his rage yiehed thet he had never , _L__.1 AL- _:..h llcnfiuv v. u... -.â€",. -.._._v_ _ seen Dore. an dehe re-echoed the wish. When such e quarrel takes place between men and wife. the bloom end freshness ere gone from love. They me be reconciled. but they will never again to each other what they onoewere. A strong barrier is broken down. and nothing can be put in its place. The angry. passionate words. spoken by Ronald, almost the first he had ever uttered, eoon faded from his mind. but they renkled like poisoned arrows in Dorn'e heart. She believed them. Before evening her huebend re nted of hie anger. and called himeel e eowerd for hevin scolded Dore. He went up to her an raised her {eceto hie. I‘Littlo wife.“ he nid "we have both been wron 1 mm very sorryâ€"let us make Men 3.“ There wss just o an: icion of oullennm in Don‘s nature. ond t. showed incl! in full force now. “ fl is no matter." she repliedmoolly; “I know long go 93» you were tire}! of n30." "1136a? Would “’07" unmet. lest they thould quuml admbut he thought to CHAPTER XIII. himself thut porhupa she was not far wrong. From that de the breech between them widened. In it tor yous Dore sew how much she was to bleme. She understood then how distasteful her uiet. sullen re- serve must hsve been to e igh bred. lasti- dious men like Ronald. She did not see it then, but nursed in her been im inery wrongs end injuries; and. shove e1 . she yielded m I. wild. fierce jealousy of Valentine Cherterie. ‘ 7 77 v~â€"- v--._. For some weeks Miss Charteris saw the cloud deepening on Ronald's face. He grew silent, and lost the flow of spirits that had once seemed never to fail ; and during the few weeks that followed. a strong resolution grew in her mind. She was his true friend. and she would try_ to restore peace and harmony between him and his wife. She waited for some days. but at her mother‘s house it was impossible to see him alone. Yet she honestly believed that. if she oould talk to him. remind him of his first love for Dora. of her simplicity and many virtues, she might restore peace and harmony to her old friend's home. She thought Ronald to blame. He had volun- tarily taken active duties upon himself. and to her clearly. rightly judging mind there was no earthly reason why he should not fulfil them. H9, would not feel hurt at her speaking. she felt sure. for he had voluntarily sought her aid years ago. So Valentine waited day after day, hoping to find a chance for those few words she thought would do so much good: but, as no opportunit came she resolved to make one._ Taking er little jeweled pencil. she wrote the following lines that were in after time a death warrant: “DEAR Ms. Emmaâ€"I wish to speak to you particularly and privately. I shall be in our grounds toangrrovg morning about ,A- _~.L-_ ton; letur'neieee you there before you enter the house. Your sincere friend. me'nxa Cum-rams." All the world might have read the note â€"-there was nothing wrong in it-â€"â€"good in- tentions and a kindly heart dictated it, but it worked fatal mischief. When Roneld was leaving her mofliér’s house, Miss ghaateria openly placed the letter in his an s; “That. is the first. note I heve ever written to you," she said with a smile. “You must. not refuse the request it contains." whimâ€"u- " I will send him home happy to-morrow," sheithgghtâ€"f' he_is “filly ihfluenced for ,, 3,A~A~_J $0.131“: gust 1:13.12; 11157153 misunderstand- ing with his pretty little wifeâ€"neither 0! them looks happy." Ronald did [1.3 open the letter until he reached home. Then he read it with a half- eonsciousnees of what Valentine wanted him for. u _, . _ ” 81;; is a noble woman," he thought. “ Her words made me brave beforeâ€"they will do me good again." He left the folded paper upon the table In his studio; and jealous little Dora, gomg in search of some work she had left. found it there. She read it word by word, the color dying slowly out of her face as she did so, and a. bitter. deadly jealousy piercing her heart like a two edged sword. it confirmed her worst fears. her darkest doubts. How dared this brilliant, beautiful woman lursRousld from her ? How dare she rob her of his love? -‘dv â€"..- vâ€" ._-_ -_ Ronald looked aghast at his wife’s face when she re-entered the sitting-room. He had been playing with the children, and had forgotten for the time both Valentine and her note. He cried out in alarm as she turned her white, wild face to him in dumb. silent‘despair. .‘ p... ‘ p_3 “um-r. u-.v_- â€"vâ€"r.â€"_. “ What is the matter. Dora? " he cried. “Are you ill, or frightened? You look likga ghosy.” ‘ S L-.. L..-L-..J u..- .. 6..---. She made no reply, and her husband, thinking she had relapsed into one of her little fits of temper, sighed heavily, and bade her .gogd;night. :A-I__-.. L---‘ n‘nn narrow- Poor, foolish. jealous heartâ€"she never lay down to rest! She had quite resolved she would go and meet the husband who was tired of her and the woman who had lured him astray. She would listen to all they had to say. and then confront them. No thought of the dishonor of such a proceeding struck her. Poor Dora was not gifted with great refinement of feelingâ€" she looked upon the step she contemplated rather as a trium h over an enemy than a degradation to erself. She knew the place in the grounds where they would be sure to meet. Miss Charteris called it her bower: it was a thick cluster of trees under the shade of which stood a pretty rustic seat: and Dora thought that, if she placed herself behind the trees, she wouid be able to hear all unseen. Before Ronald parmok of breakfast Dora had quitted the house on her foolish errand. She knew the way to the house and the entrance to the garden. She had no fear; even were she discovered there, no one could surmise more than that she was resting on her way to the house. She crouched behind the trees and waited. It was wrong. weak, and wicked; but there was something so pitiful in the white face full of anguish that one Would hardly know whether to pity or blame her. “The sunshine reached her. the birds were singing in the trees, the flowers were all bloomingâ€"she. in her sorrow and desolation. heeded nothing. At length she saw themâ€"Valentine in her white morning dress.her beautiful face fullof deep. earnest emotion. and Ronald by her side. As she surmised they walked straight to the trees, and Valentine signed to Ronald to take a seat by her si e. Sweetly and clearl every word she uttered sounded to Rona] . but they fell like drops of molten lead on the jealous heart of Ronald's wife. "You must try.” Valentine was us ing: ” I used to think you would be 5 etc. You are proving yourself 3 very week and enjng man.“ _ A ‘97.. -,2,\_ “__-|J'_ Doga could not distinguish Ronald‘s words so plainly : ho said something about “ life and its miatakoa."_ “ I told you once." mid Velentine,“ that the mu: who could endure so hrnvely the consequence of his own actions wee a true hero. Grant the wontâ€"that you have mode a mistake. You must mnke the beet you can of it. and you ere not doing thlt now.“ “No." he said. gnvely. "I an very unhnp yoâ€"more so thnn you cm im° no. anentme. Life seems toblveloot I] its chum: for me. I Ind such great hope: 01:00.)“ they no “14°!“ "9'31. A. .. L vuw‘ war “It, â€".v â€"- "You ere too yoxlnâ€"gwtl) ”shy um.“ she replied; " 3 little courage. I little patience. And ell will be well. I! it oomlone you to know_tlnat my warmest. deepest sympathy new.- 'â€" Velentine Cherberie never finished her sentence; a pale. angry lace and dark, gleaming eyes full of pension suddenly fleshed below her. “You me e eyour pity, Mien Cher- terie.” on a curse voiue. “ Why have you mad: my husband diuetiefied with me? Whyheve you taken his love {tom me? Why do you write notes asking him to meet you. that you may both speak evil gndAwrpng _o_t_l_1ie levy-born yife? " is with ypuâ€"iâ€"f" “ Huâ€"alirffa‘aid Ronald. uteruly. grupiu her arm. “ Stop these wild words. Dora Are you mud? " "No. not yet." she cried; “but this {also woman will drive me so 1 " A Then Miss Cbarteris rose, her calm, grand face unruflledâ€"not a quiver on her prong lips; - A: . u , ,,,_,__-_L Y ‘ "‘ 85% Miss Chart/aria, one moment. I p111 you." said Ronald. “while my wife apo 9g_iuq_fqr he: fol_ly_."_‘ .. nu ,Â¥,.,_L_ Harlicirérkll true," oriéd Dora. "Showrote and gskeqyoqy} mqet lger 139m." “ Dora." said lie: husband. gravely, “ did you read the letter Miss Charter-is wrote to me? " “1 did, " she rep lied. “And you deliberately came here to listen to what she had to say to me? " he continued. “You deliberately listened to wig-st you were never intended to hear ? " "7‘“- ‘ VV, , His grave. stern dignity calmed be: angry passion. and she looked half-fright- enedr into his quipg white gee. . . n “Answer me!" he said. “Have you crouched behind those trees deliberawa and _purp_oaely to listen? " v ,,l1 1‘ A- “"Tfééffélié' Said; 7“ and I would do so again if any one tried to take my husband from me." “ Then may I be forgiven for the dis- honorI have brought to my name and race!" said Ronald. “ May I be forgiven for thinking such a woman fit to be my Wife! Hear me," he continued, and the passion in his voice changed to contempt. “Miss Charteris is your friend; she asked me to meet her here that she might plead your cause, Doraâ€"that she might advise me to remain more at home with you, to go less into society. to look more at the bright Side of our married life, and be a. better husband than I have been lately; it was for that she summoned me here.” “Iâ€"I do not believe it," sobbed his wife. "That 13 at your option," he replied, coolly. " Miss Charteris. I would kneel to ask your pardon for the insults you have received. If a. man had uttered them I would avenge them. The woman who spoke them bears my name. I entrant your purdon." ‘ - .. u I- 1 ..1r____ J"' r """" “ It is granted." she replied. “Your wife must have been mad, or she would have known I was her friend. I deeply regret that my good intentions have resulted so unheppily. Forget rn‘y annoy- £312.31? ifiié,‘ kind forg'i've 150m; 3130 could not. have known what she was “ I forgive her,"seid Ronald; “but Inever wish to look upon her face again. I see nothing but dishonor there. My love died a violent death ten minutes since. The woman so dead to all delicacy, all honor. as to listen and suspect. will never more be wife of mine." “Be pitiful," said Valentine, for Dora. was weeping bitterly now; all her fire and passion. all her angry jealousy. had faded before his wrath. “I am pitiful,” he replied. “Heaven knows I pity her. I pity myself. We Eel-lea love honorable women when we love at all. I will escort you toy_our house, Miss Charterin and then Mrs. Earle and myself will make our arrangements.” In her sweet, womanly pity Valentine bent down and kissed the despairing face: - uU-‘n _‘r -â€"-_°_- -fi, , , They spoke no word as they passed through the pretty grounds. Valentine was full of pity for her companion. and of regret for her own share in that fatal morning! worif. ____ e 1 .I ,‘,,,A___RA_-_.. “ Try to believe that you are wrong and mistaken, Mrs. Earle," she said gently. " I had no thought save 30 be your friend}: \Vhen, Ronald reached the clueterof trees again Dore. was not there. Just at that moment he cared little whither she had gone. Hie vention and sorrow seemed almost greater than he could bear. CHAPTER XIV. The passion and despair of that undisci- filined heart were something pitiful to see. eason. sense. and honor, for a. time, were all dead. If Dora. could have stamped out the calm beauty: of Valentine's magnificent face, she would have done so. Ronald‘s anger. his bitter contempt. stung her until her whole heart and soul were in angry revolt. until bitter thoughts raged like a wild tempest within her. She could not see much harm in what she had done; she did not quite see why reading her own husband‘s letter or listening to a private conversation of his was a breach of honor. She thought but little at that time of what she had done; her heart was full of anger against Ronald and Valentine. She clasped her hands angrily after Miss Charteris had kissed her. crying out that she was take. and had lured Ronald from her. Any one passing her on the high road would have thought her mad. seeing the white face.:the jdal’k‘ gleaming eyes, ‘the . rigid lips. only , ,_ al_-a _..._.....I “a ------ o 'J"-"â€"~*~r .- 7 opening for moan and cries thut marred the sweetsummer silence. He should keep his word ; neverâ€"come what mightâ€"never should he look upon her (we againâ€"the face he had canessed so often and thought. 50 fair. She would go swayâ€"he was uite tired of her, 3nd 0! her children. too. hey should tease him and intrude upon him no more. Let him go to the fair Inlse woman wh_o hug p_retanded to pity hot. ‘.___I.. -Annnn‘ uuv unu- -v-..â€"..__ _ The litae nummufiidir a; simple peasant girl. looked on in mute amazement when her mistress entered the room where the children were. vâ€"o-u-vu u v-‘-. "Marie,“ she said. “I em going home, over the new to England. Will you go with me?” Theon‘lythin poor Doro. had learned duringlbnvq 1. years was 3 moderate ehmntlfll 3‘ The voung nurse looked up in {undue Vibe herd voice. usually no“. u the Jul {8? firing dQY"; “:713irfiigiWEinedZ' .. it the aignom fill an map II 10‘" none behind me that ova." .' p: . " _ _ ‘ ‘ :- uvvvv With trem’fl - peeeionnte bends and white. atom feed; to packed her trunks and boneâ€"the children's little werdrobe and her own, throwing fer {tom her every preeenteither of dress 0‘: toys the: Velen- tine bed brought. She never deleyed to loo Continued on eeventh we.