The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-05-09
CHAPTER Nj.


If Rome was not ringing with the dis.
comfiture of Clarence Thurston and the
latest freak of its ii led belle, there were
at least few ears To which the story was
foreign.
Pau Rivers, long since separated from
his fellow artists company, had expected
even predicted-some such termination to
his intatuation, and with painful emotions
thought of the sorrow 1T would bring tO
Claribel Markham when she should hear
oI it, as she doubtless would. To Burdois
and Colonel Delevan the affair was most sat
isfactory, except that its termination III
Thurton's sudden meeting with the Mark
hams was most inopportune and undesira-
BILE.
These two were seated in the dining
room at the villa Of the Countess Blanca
Tutti, few days after the occurrence
which had terminated in the Markhams re-
manning at the convent of St. Ursula with
Thurston, who was receiving tender, so
fictitious nursing from his friends. Both
DeIevan and Burdois were engaged in
deep meditation, and it was some time be-
fore their conversation took course suf-
iciently definite to determine the object Of
their interview.
"And you say your stories and the af-
fair with the Countess has made no un-
favorable impression upon Miss Markham s
mind r. the Colonel inquired, arising and
pacing the floor, and thus alludIng to a
subject under discussion some moments
before, more to renew the conversation
than anything else.
Apparently not, replied Burdois.
Since that evening at the inn, after her
father returned to Loria for his pocket
book, she has been cold and reserved to
me. attempted to approach her last
evening. but she positively refused to dis
cuss the matter of Thurston's ataire de
coenr. recalled to her mind her promise
rather tactt agreement-~glven the night
have told you of on the mountains, that
she would allow me an opportunity to pre-
sent my suit.
"She took Inc by the hand impulsively,
and opened the door Of the little room
whereThurston was lying, raving and tos-
sing in delirium and fever.
You might rs well know first as last,
Mr. Burdois," she said, abruptly. 81
may have nisjudged you in believing you
A0NO oevoAAPeOA RASJuNA~O AAAO o6oAAAo'
my poor friend lying yonder. YoI have
been kind to us, and if yon are an honor
able man, you will accept my answer as
definite, and seek no further to injuire
Mr.. Thurston in my estimation, nor press
your suit You said he had forgotten me,
and was bound to a lady In Rome-is this
SO r
swear it y said.
And you think he will never think d
me again-always Of her-despite her
cruelty, which you told me was the
cause of his sickness r. she asked, sadly
nodded affirmatively.
Then listen to me, she said, solemn
ly, speaking low, for Fhurston became
suddenly quiet, and she evidently feare.
to disturb him. Broken spirited, ane
probably oken-hearted as yonder poo
friend is; much as he may think of any
other woman, | gave him my heart lons
ago, and it will always be his Him viii
love, now and forever and if he loveC
another woman a thousand times NOR
than myself, the memory Of what he ha
been to me shall leave no room in m.
heart for anyone else. You have my an
swer 70
'"God bless you forever" came in bro
ken tones, from the bed. swear to you
De.evan, that it was the first lucid momen
Thurston had known since that night