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‘x 4k 5% g-» u. .., not read the story those wondrous dark eyes, half hidden by their curling lashes, told him; ‘thaat he did not notice, if by accident his hand touched against hers, how her little hand trembled, how her cheeks flushed, and paled at the sound of his voice, and her heart beat at thc sound of his approaching footstep. There was something pitiful in her great love for him. * <I \ - _-:n- Luna ” He must have been blind that he bl‘ ILL lvvv -v- --â€"__- “'ere the senator and his wife blind. l too, that they (lid not notice the girl's‘ wild. idolatrous love for their handsome son? Ah! so it seemed, or they would have parted them at once. It would have been a deed of mercy. As for Rutledge Chester, he plunged recklessly in the mad whirlpool of social life, to forget, as far as was in his power. the fair-faced girl whose loss had made the world desolate for him. He turned for sympathy to Uldene, and in this way they were thrown into each other's society more than before. It happened that long before Verlie’a departure cards had been sent out for a. grand ball, (to be given by Mrs. Chester. Tableaux were to be the main feature of the entertainmentand Verlie had rehears- ed with Rutledge to enact that beautiful tragic love-poem, "The Parting of the Lovers.” . - Rutledge would have given much (C have been able to resign his pant, but those having the tableaux in charge would not hear of it. Uldene could take the absen-tee‘s place, they declared. and so they settled it. There was no help for it, so Rutledge manfully crushed out the throb of de- spair in his heart caused by the bitter- sweet memory of a fair face lost to him forever, and went on with the rehearsal. These rehearsals but fed the flame of hapless l'ldeue's love. They were as dangerous as an intoxicating draught, or a sweet, honeyed poison. “The Parting of the Lovers" was one of the sweetest and saddest love poems ever written. The scene which they yr»- were to enact, and from which the poem took its name, was sublime. It repre- sented a lovely, dark-eyed girl and her lover, who had met upon the sands at midnight .to take a last, tearful farewell of each other. A strangely cruel fate parted them. A dying rfather’s curse, it they two wedded, had torn their hearts asunder. The scene is sublime. The white stretch of beach, and the dark, curling waters at their feet, lighted up by the tender, pitying light of the moon; the two figures standing out against the dark background: the girl's beautiful an: ,chgluuuu. w... a.-. _. __“,, ‘ awhite arms clasping him, while the tragic Borrow on her lovely face, reveals but too eloquently that it is for the last time. The dread moment has come. Her lover must unclasp her arms, whenâ€"ah! how shall I picture it?â€"â€"o’he finds that the bright young life of his beautiful love has gone out with the last, fervent caress, and, maddened with despair, grief and horror, the desperate, heart- broken lover clasps his darling closer in his arms. and leaps far out into hte waves with her, and they are never seen again. They would have been parted in life; but they have gone down into the ‘dark abyss of death clasped heart to heart. ‘ -- - ALA..- ‘L 3193:3313 nearly bctrnyod the secret dene would have died rather than re- veal. “'hen she saw the expression of car- nest, almost adoring love that Rutiedge tried so 'hard to represent. a crims'm flush seemed to scorch her cheek and brow. It was “only acting” on his part, but it was all strangely real to her. She lulled herself with sweet dreams that were fatal to her. A wild, longing wish came to her that the rehearsals might go on forever. They seemed a part of her existence. Under the able superin- tendence of those who had taken the af- fair in hand, the drawingq'ooms were most effectively arranged for the tab- leaux. The inner and smaller one was divided from the large room by a long, sweeping curtain of rich crimson silk: 0 very neat stage had been erected; and in the large room the chairs for the guests were arranged in a circle. Soon after eight the roll of carriages begun, and burden after burden was deposited at the Chester mansion. “Charades and tableaux at nine.” So read the dainty satin program. “Dancing at ten.” u. -\_.__ \\ hen the silver clock rang out in musical (.himcs the hour of nine the lghts in the room were Sll‘.bdlle(l there w: 15 a soft sound of mus c. and the rose- cmlored snlk curtain was drawn up on one of the prettiest tableaux ever sr‘ ra ngod. It was a. scene from “The Jailer's ]):1ughtor”â€"a scene where a jailer‘s (laughter, wflw had fallen in love with I handsome prisoner, steals the key from beneath her stem old father's pillow, and throws open the door of her lover’s prison and sets him free. .1:- I. l’-~â€"vv-- -V, -_ v The next was :1 scene from “Cupid at School"â€"-a merry, fun-loving romp at lmrding-school, who had fallen in love with the young French dzungimz-master, and who was detected at midnight being let down from the dormitory Window in a clothes basket by ‘her schoolmates to keep her tryst with her impatient lover. The anger depicted upon the grim face of the Virago of a principal, who had come unexpectedly upon the scene, brougth warm applause and shouts of laughter. _ __ u s -n Then, at the tinkl'ing of the silver bell, the lights were turned low again. This Was to be the last tableau and the hit of the evening. The softest and sudd ax! strains of music floated through the mom. There was a hush. and as the silken curtain went up again, a murmur of. admiration and surprise rang through the drawing-room. The tableaux was the panting of m lovers by the sea-shore. The white waves seemed to dimp'e and sparkle in the moonlight whidu fell upon the faces of me two lovers clasped tor the last much each other’s arms. littla wonder that those te- Lt was little wonder peopie now their breath as they gazed upon the hand- some face of Rutledge Chester as the impassioned lover. There was something almost sublime in the adoring love that lighted up his dark, grave, kingly face. as he bent over his love. “If this was aoting, what could the reality be!" they asked themselves. hit as they gazed upon the face of the _] girl he held clasped in his arms, their 111‘ wonder grew. ho Her long, dark curling hair fell around no her lovely face like a black veil. Was 13' it fancy, or did the wondrous face of ' Uldene Sefton really whiten under their to‘ gaze. and her lips grow ashen pale. 91' “'as it love or terror that shone in the h" dark, upraised eyes? “" The. scene held the vast audience spell- bound, an'd frightened them as they y( gazed until the silken curtain shut out to ‘ the Scene from their sight . ; And at that instant quite a scene was bi ‘ transpiring back of the curtain. 01 In stepping back from the narrow platform which had served as a stage, m one of the planks beneath the Brus- 5‘ sels rug gave way. and Rutledge 'as 0* precipitated to the floor belowâ€"a dis- 3" tance of ten feet or moreâ€"{his head Pl striking one of the pillars that supported the groined root as he fell. 9 A wild cry burst from Uldene's white 5‘ lips. In an instant she was kneeling be- “ side the bleeding. unconscious form. She raised his head in her white arms. at- 5 tempting .to staunch the blood that flow- 0 ed from a wound on his temple. with : sobs and bitter cries pitiful to hear. "Leave me with him until the doc. tor :~i:d his mother come," she whisper- ed. motioning.r them all away. Silently they quitted the apartment. closing the door softly after them; - nd the gay strains of the dance music that struck up in the grand ball-room stifled the sound of her wailing cries. "Rutledge! my love! oh, my love! if you die, Heaven must let me die, too." she sobbed. wildly. covering the white. unconscious face, the closed eyes. and the matted hair with passionate kisses in her terrible grief. ”What would life he to me without you?" she moaned. “Oh. Rutledge. my love. you will never know hcw well I loved you. I would give my life for yours. I Would meet death to sme you one pan-g." She clasped the unconscious form still closer in her white arms, caressing him with piteous agony. and muuuuring broken words of love over him. Unconscious, did I say? It was not quite that. For a few moments the force if the fall stunned and bewildered Rutledge Chester. but the action of the cold water with which Uldcne bathed his face brought back his dazed senses at once. lie felt the clasp of the clinging a'ms about him. The paxsioiiate. wailing. broken words of love that were SUbb'Nl In» ~AA_aAr-n it r, out over him fell like a shock upon hi4 t- startled ears. Sheer amazment and con- :r sternation chained his dazed Senses. te Should he open his eyes and falter: ln “l*‘or;:ive me, Uldene; l have uncon- in sciously disCovered your love for me?" it- It would be. worse than death to the to girl’s proud nature: the shock. the cruel embarrassment would prostrate her. Yet 13- it was equally embarrassing tn him to ll- receive the assurances of her wild. idola- 'e' trons love, with closed eyes. she b:- licving him to be unconscious. Rutledge (‘hester was a gentleman and a man of honor in the strictest sense of the Word; yet between duty and de- lieaey he scarcely knew which way to Rutlmlgt- (‘hoster was a gentleman and a man of humor in the strictest #01153 of the wnrd: yet bvtwoon duty and do- limwy he scarcely knew whidI way to tum. Fortunately the doctor's quick foot- sh ”s n-liovcd him in his strangely try- ing dilemma. .o _‘A_A ---..J'.“l. “If. UAI\ Au ...... The usual mstomtivos were :mnIEe-I: then ho Elan-d opt-n his Gym. Uldvne stood beside him with a white. scar-1] face. ‘ ' ‘ ‘Q 7 1,.._- “0h, (loctwr, tell meâ€"«is he badly hrrr or nut? I~I (-zxmmt hear sms‘pense," ht heard her say. p'tmmsly. “Badly ‘hm't'.’ Oh. no. my dear." r-‘~ plied the doctor. elwerl‘ullv “I am g'rfl no say Mr. Chester nas mm a miracul- ous escape. He has had a bad fullâ€":1 slight scalp Woundâ€"and was stuunel. that's all. I’ll venture to say he will be all right in a day or so.” Rutledge Chester looked up into her face, his own flushing painfully. His heart smote him with a strange pity. The great, dark, velvety eyes that fell so quickly under his gaze were wet C II.\ I‘TER XII. THE FULFILLMENT 01" A TERRIBLE CUESE. The secret he had discovered in so struznge a manner puzzled and troubled Rut'lvdgc Clu-stur not a little. â€"4 n1‘nn‘t‘ lilll‘lt‘ugl’ Llll'fill‘l nu. ... -_--_-, lie was amazed that any one should love him so mllt’llâ€"Lhflt it was of snrh vitnl importunve -to any one whether he lived or died. His heart was touched; he was greatly perplexed. If his heart had not been given to an- other it might have turned then to U12 dune. He felt so sorry for her. He was a thorough gentleman, and the ques- tion which agitated him was, \ 'lzat would he do? He admired Uldene excewlinfly. She was the most beautiful girl he had me: soon; but admiration was one 'cmiment, love quite another. He came to the conclusion that the best course to pursue would be to g» \ away at once. It would be kinder to Uldene than to stay, knowing her p tifnl secret. - V_L Lin- 31: I L' L- ln time she would learn to {O‘gct him. She was only a romping, nwrry madcap of a‘ schoul girlâ€"â€"a availed. indulged child. \\'ith absence she Would be sun: to tux-get this httle romance, he assured himself. - - , _.-'_.. \\ hen he made known his de'ermina' Eon at the breakfast table, two days later, Mrs. Chestgr was greatly disturbâ€" ed. and Uldonc grow pale as deith.‘ .‘_ cu. uuu WW“ bu‘" ,W ~ mile of unuttemble joy lit up hm u ' v . r._.r r a‘vu on mt l)? 8 ”1:11;“? airbag: #3132413 {Veek The unthey rested upon Rutledge gf :VO‘rdsLsounded like a death-knoll to bag»- Is mt true that I am dyuuz. less Uldene. “'hut should she do w thi “'bisncrml- minuv. “mar. mat is u tears. ho bndiy hrrr slwpmxsv," ht ner nre after ne wem: uwuy ; r..- ..... u ; the brightness 0 her life would'be obscured in pitiful . She arose and left the table, with a. forced smile on her hips, and a steady step; but when the door of the breakfast room was closed between Rutâ€" ledge Chester and herself the wildest sub that was ever heard broke from her lips, and she groped her way through the marble corridor like one striker) bl ind. ‘ , 7L If...â€" nL,__‘L_ U1 Lu‘u. On the stairway she met Mrs‘ er’s maid hurrying toward the br room with a telegram; but the did not interest [herâ€"nothing in hm- save that which concerned ] Ch ester. â€"- n1 ,WA__ __“ uncouth An hour later Mrs. Chester came into her boud-oir in a flutter of excitement. "I am called away hurriedly by a teiegmm I have just received, Uldene,” she said. “I shall be back Thursday at latest. Do you think you will mind staying here a day or so in charge of the servants, dear?” she asked anxious- ly. “Rutledge will be here, you know, when he is not at his club-room." “I shall not mind,” answered the girl. If Mrs. Chester had not been so flur- ried and excited she would have noticed how white Uldene’s lovely face was, and how hopeless and forlorn was her usua- ly guy, sprightly manner. An hour later, the senator and his wife took their hurried departure. Mrs. Clustâ€" er‘s last words. as she took her plare beside her husband in the family coach, “'(‘1‘0 2 I'\ AL. "I may have a startling surprise for you when I roturn; still 1 must not be too sanguine." Then the coach door closed with a bang. and an instant later whirled out of sight. ‘ ‘ 7 __V2Al-. ..5 “You will be very lonely W'lUlOllt mother the few days she will be gone," said Rutledge, thoughtfully, as he tum- ed to Uldeue. “1 should suggest that you invite some 01' your girl friend» to pass the time with you.” “No," replied Uldene. “Iâ€"I could not endure their chatter and their laughter." she muttered below [her breath. “lt Would drive me mad.” lflllone swxnod to forget that she was‘ standing on the- (‘old marble stops, wi'h only the crimson silk Scarf wramwal loosely around her dark, curly head: but Rutledge remembered. “The carriage is out of sight," ho saizl, taking her cold little .hand to lead her back to the library. “Come into the house, Uldeno." The magic touch of his hand soomod to unnerve hor. Quick as a flash, she snatchod it from his grasp and swan-,5 into the vestibule, but are she had take: another step forward she suddvnly sway- ed to and fro like a loaf in the tompvst- tossml wind, and would have fallen to the floor, it Rutledge had not sprung Human] and quickly caught her in 1115 l arms. “I'ldene!” he cried in alarm. I She did not answer. She had sunk lmek in his arms in a dead {n.int. Rutledge bore the slender form quick- ly tn the library, and rang the bell with such a resounding pea] for the house- keeper that mo-t-herly Mrs. l‘ierCe was "51:: rtled clean out of her wits," as she :1 ft erwurds expressed it. In at few Wurds Rutledge explained what had happened. “See tihut she is removed to her room at once, and give her your kindly at- tention." he said, thoughtfully anda gm \‘ely. ‘ ‘ -U 4,_A__.. -.. on blind that he (-annot see the girl is n n- ing away for love of him," thought Mrs. l'ieree, eoxnpassionately, as she sm othe'l bat-k the long, lovely dark curls that strayed over the pillow, and caressed the girl's little burning hands. “Wm. any one can see she has not been thes same since Master Rutledge anmuaeed that he was going abroad. But, then, men are proverbially biintl." An hour later L'ldene had grown so much worse that. a doctor was sum- moned in all haste. \Vas it chance. or the strange complication of fate most eruel'Zâ€"Jthe physician called in was young lloetor Keith, the same physieian who played such a prominent part in one of our previous chapters. Dr. Keith looked gravely at the beau- tiful patient .he had been called to at- tend. “She is stiffening from nervous pros- tration, and an intense mental sh wk,”1 he said. "If it turns to brain fever be- tween this and midnight, saving her will be something else than a miracle.” This was the startling word Mrs. l‘ieree carried down to Rutledge (‘l‘e ter in the library. :‘ml which caused him to send the follow-in).r telegram flashin: southward over the wires to Mark Sefton: “ 74m you come on at once? Udeue tlv\I_-. “I wonder that young master is so ind that he cannot soc the girl is n'n- 5: away for luve of him," thought Mrs. Lnâ€"m. mnnvmssinnnlolv. as SIH‘ sm Gib”! is very $11." 111 Mrs. Chester's hurriod and unox- [meted departure, she had quite forgot~ ton to mention he: destination, and. therefore, at this critical hour she could not be recalled. lIVL try Ay\“--‘ .â€" The matter was all the more alnrnr ing when the young dm-tm- culled Rut- ledge Chester to Uldvnc‘s bedside an hour later, asking that three docltnrs be oallvd .in for the purpose of (-on‘ sultm‘ion. uu nun-v». “1 11: we done all in my power for hor,’ ho said, cmnpassimmtoly. “I should like to lune the opinions of other p11) sic ans as :1. last resort." 'l‘hree sleilt’ul. Imminent physie'ans were summoned without delay.’ Each promptly concurred in the opinion of young Dr. Keith. There was an acute mentul trouble preying upon the heart of the lovely, hapless patient. Iler strange symptoms baffled and puzzled them, sk-i'lfnl as they were. She Was sinkingâ€"dying before their eyes; hum In skill seemed of little avail; all their ef- forts to arrest the scythe of the dread destroyer, Demth, seemed futile. it xx as their opinion that when the tide drified out at midnight the life of beautiful Uldene would drift out with it. The doctors, together with Rutledge Chester and Mrs. Pierce, the house- keeper, sat by the couch. awaiting in the solemn hush the pitiful end. Out' side the door the servants knelt. weep- ing and wailing. The dying girl, who had brought sunshine and joy to the quiet old mansion, had been dearly le- loved by one and all. Now they were kneeling, praying outside the door. awaL- ing with averted face for the. breath 0‘ life to leave its beautiful tenement of c ny. Mark Sefton would comeâ€"come late. When he arrived all would be over with dark-eyed Uldene. A little before midnight she had opexr ed her great dark, wistful eyes. and a smile of unutte'mble joy lit, up her face as they rested upon Rutledge Chestnr. fter ne We'm: away .' 1m: Worm r so lonely; the brightness 01 would'be obscured in pitiful She arose and left the table, orced smile on her lips, and a «m. but when the door of the "way she met Mrs. Chest- 'i.ng toward the breakfast- tedegram; but the matter st {herâ€"nothing intcvresced which concerned Rutledge lonely without mm is it truci'c that I am.” How could they look 'into her face and answer her falsely. “Tell me, Rutledge, is it true?” s‘he H ...,.‘.w_ _ w- 119 controlled himself with a mighty effort, and bent over her, taking her poor, fluttering little hand in his. - 1'1: 1 00 I. _ _..:A - v merod. f “If one great Wish in my heart cod‘d' be fulfilled, Iâ€"â€"-I could die happier,” she. fulterod, in pitmful quivorfimg gasp< “If there is anything I can do for you, rest assured that you have only to ask and. I will grant it, if it be in my powvr, Uldono,” he answered, thuskily, little drmmfiang what the great wish in her hmntt was. “I cannot tell you. Rutledge. I w‘ll w his'pt‘r it to Mrs. Pierce, and she will ml] you,’ she murmured. “Remember, Rutledge, I would never ask it if I were not guing to (law->0 soonâ€"yes, so soon." "vâ€" rv "You shall tell Mrs. Pierce,” he an- sworcd guzxtly. And yet no thought came to him what it was she wished in this her dying hour. The doctor and Rutledge withdrew to the other mu] 0! the apartmvnt, and the dying girl was left with the sobbing housekeeper quite alone. "I wishâ€"hut, oh, it could not be,” sighed Uldvue, faintlyâ€"“I wishâ€"fliat 1-â€" could he Rutledge Chester's bride. I lovod him so in life with all my heart, with all my soul. I should like to br- long to him on mirth, and wait for him‘ inside “he gates of heaven. I should like his hands to (-12:51) mo as my life drifts out. I would like his voice to be 1he last sad music I should hear on earth: and tho \vonlsâ€"â€"a-h, if I could hurt hour him say: ‘IHdonoâ€"my Uldonoâ€"my bride? I vâ€"oh. than I could die happyâ€"+0 happy.” “\Qould it be hard for him to grant mo my dying wish. do you ‘tihink'f" sho whisxmu-d, still fainter. “Ronwmher, it would be for :1 fmv brief nmuu-Msâ€"â€": n)‘ a few flooring mnmvntsâ€"«qvh-ilo I hover hotwoen this wnrld and the grout un- known world I am going to. Toll him quickly. Mrs. I’iorvo. Tell him how I love him. I lovo him SO “'0”, that if. aflvr I am dmd. ho 'ume and km-lt Upon my tomb. parted the long grass, and wh'ifimrod my name, I slmuld hour 313.3 voice in my grave. Romomlwr, ho shoulzl never haw- knuwu of my love if I wvrv not dyinn." Subbing like a ohihl, the old house kwm-r culled Rutlvdgo (,‘hostor aside. and imparted 1n him the startiing mis- sion upon whivh the dying girl had sent her. That was the bittorost hour of Rut- ledge Chostor's life. He started back with a low. hoarse cry. 110 fought one of the strnngvst battles with his own thoughts that mnrtal man was ever c.111- od upon tn face. not aecewe me. 1â€"1 knowâ€"1 to. “Rvnwmln-r. mustn't. it is but for a few brief mumonts the poor child would hear your name.” nrgml mp housokoopvr. “She Wuuld not last thv huur uut that Would s01- lu-r your brido. Sho is so ynungâ€"â€"a thnnghtlcss child-«and she 10 vos you sh." 110 was tum-119d to tho dupihs of him soul; the strugglv in his hvnrt was and. 9d. 110 tnrm-d in the old housvkvopcr with a gmu'. wlxin- raw. ‘1 “ill grunt tho pour (-lxild's dying wish,” he said. hunrsvly. “Svhv >2!an 1w my hrido! God grant that it may make her last momvnts happier." A minister was hastily summoned. and l in the hour of midnight. whilv tho wild wind moaned and subbml nutsido, and the whirling snowfinlu‘s witlmnt wrnpp 'd the mirth in a cold. white. fruzvn shroud. the fatal marriage-that man Could uvvor break. and Ih-uvcu “'nuld not anâ€" nul-wns solmnnizvd. In tfho solemn hnm‘ of «lmth I'ldone lay back upon hot pillow-â€" Rutlvdzv (‘lmfitor's bride. “'llilo hm‘ming «:n tho brink of eternity she had lpruvml tho fatal warming that hung like :1 onrsn OTCI‘ her bountiful. hnplvs‘s lwnd-that Soll‘llln warning: “She must new: love, for she must nvvor marry." \V “\th‘c am 1'!" sho guspnu, mm “\ud “hu me you?" Black Hagar showed her ixorivs i blond grin. "lse Vuur nurse, Chile.” 5.110 -1' \m'o td .0 V .1 ‘ .A an the pusson who jcs 11ft 4...: yer doctor." ‘I u ‘v “Have I been ill?" whispered Verilc incrmlnlously. ' ”Yer ankle war sprained, honey, an the doctor war l‘otchod to sot it." Vll‘. \ ------ “Oh. I ronmmber! l ronwmbcrl" shriokod Vex-lie, in terror. "'1 he duvlâ€" andâ€"all that happened after it! If this is your house I pray you to lut me gu 4‘- . ' § at once," she sobbml, clinging to the old woman's skirts in a trauspmt o.‘ grief pitiful to behold. “'1 Ihusv who lovc me are searching for nm in ungumh that 1;.» “- -7 is more bittur to bear than death. 1 have a darling sister whose hvu'rt must have broken when she mun-nod to the 8pm; whore she left me lying um-un Scions and found moâ€"gmwl I dare nal picture it! ()‘h, Uldmw! L'Mouv!" In .\ ..I.‘_A‘ 1 l""’“"‘ “And there is :mothvr!" :thc sobbe‘l“ pitcouslyâ€""another who loves me. mum who had only that evening askml 11.0 to be his bride! 011! what must hv be sufâ€" fering, my handsonw, nublv low. \thM I love so dearly, :Is the hurriblv hours drag their slow lengths by! How he must have scan-110d for me! 110 W“ go through tire and fined, smrvh L-nc whole world through, bum wimt hp w.“ find me; and those who have drtaland mp here will feel the full force of his vengeance. “0h, Rutledge? my lov* my low!" moaned Verlie. "llacven grant that you may find me soon!" 1 “It's many a long day afox-v yer lov :- Would think 0' findin’ yer hu'ur, hon y,’ laughed Black Hagar. "Oh, it I could but pewsuade you to help me to got away from here!" leub-cl Verlde. "He who mourns my loss so keenly would reward you Wish plenty of gold if you would but help me." “Chile, I wouldn't dare‘ tcr do it,” d *- (:13er Black Hagar. “lse nowcrlfial CIIA PTICR XIII. 0N1. "151).‘d, faintly 1mm 01 me Cup 11. ue am a, rcg‘xzn' dobbil. He bruzng yer sha‘zu' hissvzlf, an’ says the, when he left de mom, ‘Hagzu-fl lse gwine tar leave dat gal under yer eye, an’ ef 1 don't find she am na’ar when I cum back, I wouldn't giev mud) for yer ole black hide; you min' my words!’ So you see, honey, I wouldn’t dare ter. Why, ohdale, he'd murder me! He am none ter good terr do it.” “Oh. heaven! what awfuvl fate has conspired against me?” sobbed Verlie, wringing her little hands. “I cannot _. . . -|| 1“...) ‘A {1th rfifv “VA-"“'- WV wringing her little hands. “I cannot see where all this will lead to. Oh. pity me, Hagar! If you will not see me free, kill] me! Better dead than that I Show” fall into the hands of the man “ho brought me here.” . -. . .. _-_ ”n. In,“ that DI‘OUgJu. MIC n»; "1101', Chile, don’t yer talk like that Old Hagar wouldnt (och one ha’ :1.r 0 yer golden head for all Manse Cap'us 111 "mien gold. Guess not! But let me "ive yer a; bit 0’ advise, honey. 1101' (i=- "ood Ixor’s sake, ohile, don t go for to riLin’ of brim up. Yer dont know 11: mm‘n like I do. ’Mombcr ole Hagar ll‘lt 'LA us). 4 vâ€"- "I know full well that I have forfeit (1 your respect by what you have sw-n and hmrd." he said. in an agitated Whir‘p -r, “but there is this much honor about me -I must warn you of the fatal coir soqmmces your discox'vry. and your per- sistt-nt assertions that you Would brim: the officers of the law upon us the tint moment we set you frcv, has brought upon you. - ‘ .,_t-_...M hag l" “The men’s solemn conference nas ended. They intend to show you no mercy. The sentence they have pass-d 2mm) you is imprisonnwut for life with In these walls. and that would be worse than death {or you. Aye, deuh Would be a thousand times more merciful than mo among these lawless men. Even if be a thousand times more merciful mm Life among those lawless men. Even if you did consem to an oath of s'Jeu.-e wow, it Would be too late." Vorlie did not faint: she did not cry out, or utter any moan; the horror of his words held hvr spellâ€"hound. She w; I mung and bravoâ€"life seemed sweet to her. She realiZL-d that “tot he said was perfectly true. Those outlaws, who «mild thus defy the laws 0! mon. wou'd have no sample in dvfyimr the law of God; even if they made away with her, the world would be none tho w'sor. “'l‘horo is but one oscnpo for you.” whispered hvr cantor, “and that is, to hi-(umo my brido. I am a cookkss. dc- tinnt man. Miss Softon: but your benu‘y won my honzrt n-t filSI sight. The ab- nnrrmwo in your beautiful eyes awoke mm to a. sense of my downfall from the ranks of honorable men. Be my wife. and you shall leave this place forever. A wife could give no evidence against hur lmslmnd: you wouldâ€"" “Sum!" cried \‘erlie; “I will not liston." “I beg you will take time to cons'de:," he said. earnestly. “I mood no time to consider," replied Vorlio, with ringing: scorn. “Do you think that freedom or life itself is Worth purl-basing at the cost of be- coming your wife?" cried the gixl. with missionuio vohomonce. “Do you think I could clasp the hand a: the almr that was stuinml with blood?" cavern door winced under me scathing words. A strange gleam shot into his eyes; a fearful panumum passed an- stautuumusly before his mvmal vLsion. He could Imagine a lust sun] gaz'ng 1mm the deep abyss of Hades into the to ivity and jny of Moan-n. fully realizing that all hope for him was lost forevvr. 110 bog 1111 tu H‘fll‘lt’ that a dark (hnsm y.1\\1u-d gbomuou Inna-If and this fair girl; a fatal line streaked his hand. which “'11qu former shadow the grasp of :1 purer one. It :is :1 mistake to suppose that crimp steeped hands cannot low. The bus-wt criminal, strange as it may soon), can love as intensely, flan-ugh nut as purely or unsoltishly. ;as («ho noblest hero. From the moment his oyos had witod upon the beautiful girl. who had dun-d dol‘y him so brandy and :xuduviously. 1110 W511 came to this bad man that he had livod a dilforem life that he might hme Woood and, in- time, won her. A mo-\ mom he hesitated. ‘ “Do you lovo any one else? \Yill you answer me that, Miss Salton?" "Yes." came the quivering reply. in a. choked, girlish voice, “I do. If you had not detudnod me hero I shmld now be the botmthvd bridu of a good and noble man, one who could now-r stoop to :1 dishonorable action. and whom I loxe with all my heart. Oh. sir. won d it he of :my use to plead with you to restore us to each other? Mr. Ruzvlodzv C‘lmstor would reward you well for aiding me, I am sure." ’I.he mam started back as though an arrow had suddenly pierced his heart. "What!" he cnied, fiercely, “is Rut- lodm‘ (.‘hostur the man you Iovowtimt mun, above all other mun, whom I have mason to hate so hittm‘lyâ€"â€"the man that made me what I am, drove me from the ranks of honorable man by exposing me. and made me a hunted criminal on the fame of the onnth? Restore you to him! I would see you dead at my feet first! “'11)“. his very mime muses a very demon in my lwart! And to thin-k that he should have crossed my path again-â€" that he, of 311 others. should have won the lure of the only being I have em met whom I could care fez. It is mad during! . solemn conference has V ”1 voWed once that I Woul (1 back, at a fitter cost, for W-h m" In: at hail edinflnepast. Iseeawayme ‘9!» very end. I bided my time Vo't? ‘ 0‘ shall never go free. save as m? ““7“ own “ho-nonna- ¢A IAN “fife! “We are preparing to leave jib in the course of a month for a voyage, but you go with us. Re I would rather see you dead at n in all your youth and your {3,5 beautyâ€"than see you Rutledge ( bride!" He stood away from the (300,. hi; handsome face fairgy 15de with Satanic rage; but his last wands had fallen “M (1251 ears. Vedie had fairm-d, “u Wen tt ,, ” h? mu “am. table féte’mugmche. imexowds 'of Ins by - en e en - W 'n2 n; _ 15h _ tw loves Rutledge Chester." cmsn 35511)); THE ROADSIDE LAY rm. 1(0ch GIRL. In the intense darkness of the on he did not see the slim. girlish fiem. that had followed him «loseâ€" tu the at: and listened with, baled brvuth :mdf ' pale as death. to every word 1113.: 1:; been uttered. “He cares for this beautiful stung she muttered, with a dry, hard “Oh, what a rude awakming from my dream. I thought he loved me. 5‘ ey said so even though his lips did not. I might one day have been his bride if this galden-haired girl had not come between us with hm pth (we. on, fatal day for me that she Va: brought here!" er," not. Going around by anothr'r (mum not! passing through Hugur‘g 3%“QO the found herself in \‘erlle‘s pmnc’ With s‘vift step-t She (3:0 and stood, with darkening down upon the prostmm swingmg lamp dimly rew 6‘ Ah, the stranger was more beau than any poet’s dream, with her w. damatdy-chiseled face, framed in sheen of 11th golden hair, am, to the dim light. A bitter pang of jealousy 811012 girl's heart. as she “3,2"d' As if attractod by um: maznenc m Verlée s whine aye-lids fitm «rod mom and she looks up in dismay» inn, the has bending over her. The next mornent she has stx'ugmled to her knees. c'jng; : to tile girl's skirts, with an agony of a- treaty puirui to behold. lessl)’. “And that." repeatod the girl. in I hurriul whisper, “is that yuu use an oath of silence never to reflux} this reâ€" float, and never to mention to a living being what you have soon or hear} from £119 fatal hour you Chan/«i to witness (hat duel to this. I have a father was brother hem. and one whom I love 59(- ter than life. For their sake I must (:3 act a solemn vow of seen-('3'. or 1 dm not aid you. Don't you see?” understand the situaa'on. and tor from the truth. that you wow I with a sprained sake. and :akem (-3 untii you were able to be abona. that. being delirious. your friends not be communicated with. You make haste if you would else-m 9181“.” the girl went on. wizh a :1 thriil of excitement in her mice, it is almost daylig. t an." -1'. She silenced the J" lips by saying huskil “You must wear broad 11:11. You on 9: leave them a: the u “And mix?” whispered Vex-lie. mar beneath the tall 0- 1'5 11w: own. There is but «11.0 leads thmugh :1 nmm it be: of men are umzwxr trust to Your own brziv through that trying on fraught with "routes: C one should cui ox to ,w‘: make some on: <e. ll unlike mine." She threw her own cloak over Vex-lie. who slim hands tum-110d hvr led, and how death-co] At last, Vozlic. quivc pressed exciwmvm. stood KiW‘n her sdvum 91145.5 her nescuur rumin-d. “You will gch me F‘x whispered, ‘fithnt I ma.“ bless you for what )‘U'J me thus night." “You must know an that is what they cm; you are home with y» you are hippy with hi: you will sometinws thin not?” she askcd. “A think of Kellie. {myvz Think of her kindly, Go now", she addml. cold hand from \‘orlic‘ that winding can-m I Will be to freedom. l God speed you." She threw the door like a storm-damn; s“ n} four at evury sn p. \ cf narrow. subterranean. 1110311. Yodie’s heart seemed sudden fear. She du-mi and a few feet mon‘ ' abreast of them. If 1110: identity, all was lost. She nerved hex-sou ordeal. One of the men tum saw her. â€"For cotS. C” room suites go to ““hy, Kelpie. " he saw her, “what in the World before daybreak? \\ hat ~ 2-3"? Some mimfllhicf Ill CHAPTER XIV 833d Vex-139. 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