The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-05-02

dois by his apparent open trsnkness, and
assGmed courteousness soon won not only
the esteem of the man who regarded him
~ his son, but in q measure was regarded
by Claribel as q valuable and trusty
friend.
1t was part of his plan not to divulge
the full particulars of the infatuation of
Thurston, until they arrived at Rome.
Skillfnlly and treacherously he imbued the
maidens mind with false ideas, and
reasoning, dwelling on the most unfavor-
able characteristic of man, and causing
her pain and grief He invited her con-
fidence, but she was mostly reticent, for
her nature too fully venersted the sacred
ness Of love.
Three weeks passed in travelling toward
the destined goal, and when within fifty
miles Of Rome, q circumstance occurred,
which was little apprehended in its ulti-
mate results by all parties.
They had left the little village of LOrio
come miles behind them, and were cross
ing an irregular mOuntain-path in the
numbering deligence, when Mr.. Markham
discovered that he had, by some unac-
countable accident, left behind him his
pocket-bOok at the inn at which they had
renamed the night previous.
From their guide they sscertained that
at four in the afternoon they would meet a
diligence returning to the village, and Col
onel Markham determined to return in
this, rs he believed that his pocket book
had been left under his pillow, and Bur
dois and Claribel would 20 on to the next
village, and there await his return.
This plan being decided on, when they
met the diligence. Mr. Markham entered
it and left Claribel and Burdois to resume
the short journey to the next village alone,
and there await his coming on the follow
ing day.
Despite all his cOolness and bravadO, his
lnditierehce to emotion and contempt for
love-sick devQtees of the tender passion,
Burdols could not refrain from thrill of
pleasure as the evening shadows crept over
the mountains, throwing all nature into
sombre shadow, and finding him alone
with Claribel Markham. Love OF passion
it was no infatuation-but he felt an
emotion for the pure being by his side he
had never in all his wide experience en-
dured for any other woman. Strong minds
are feeble as those Of weaker mold under
the influence Of love, and at this moment
uAONCu Oy bAC huCCOAOA
Claribel had inspired him with from the
first, with the same characteristic unscru-
lousness and treschery which had signal
lied his whole life, would have sacrificed
the wealth and position he 50 envied, and
brsved the hate and vengeance of the i'm
passloned Countess Tutti.
Naturally the minds Of both reverted TO
the subject so often discussed by them
Clarence rhurston-the one endeavoring
to impress the other with a sense of his
unfaithfulness, and she, on her part, en-.
deavoring to find some excuse for the man
she loved.
- have refrsined from telling you all, >
said Burdois, insinuatingly, 3" lest you
should think | had some Interior object in
view. In the face of what | may have to
say to you In the future, perhaps, | should
have left it to some one else to tell you, or
for your own heart to discover, as | origin
ally intended. But you suffer even nov
from what little ! have told you. shall
tell you-can you bear to hear-the truth r
ClaribePs lips compressed more tightly.
"Yes," she said, with an effort, too
proud to let this man see that she was un-
able to bear any blow.
Then | tell you, solemnly and truth
fully, Clarence Thurston has forgotten you.
At this moment he is pledged to q lady in
Rome, for whom he has personally averred
to me, he feels love deeper than which
no other yet existed in his mind. He owns
that his engagement to yer was b1yish
fancy that he knew nothing of the world
of other women-when he met you.
Mr.. BurdOis, why did you not tellsune
this before p
Because wished to spare you 30 Bit
ter blow. Surely ! deserve no censure
for making the blow less hard to endure
by gradual exhibition of the truth T.
=" | thank you,' she said, simply and
sorrowfully. You are true friend, and
| thank you for your consideration. But
we must not 60 to Rome"
Not go to Rome !" exclaimed BurdOis
in consternatiOn.
"No, under the present state OF affairs,
he she could not speak Thurston's 8 name
-" and Others would think that / sought
to reclaim him. If he loves her better
than my poor self-if he can be happies-
God bless him Please do not talk to me,
she cried, suddenly, giving way to her
emotion, and sinking back upon the cush-
ion in tears.
Burdois wisely remained silent. As they
reached the village inn, and she left him,
sad and pale, for her room, she said
Z" ] shall keep my room until my father
comes. Please let me know the moment
he arrives
Burdois pressed her hand and looked
into her eyes with an expression which
startled her.
Better for his interests that that look
had never been given.
A sudden flush came to Claribel's face,
and she returned his gaze, which she fully
comprebended, earnestly and searchingly.
In his glance she read his soul, and for the
first time felt as strongly a. instinctively,
that he was acting part.
"You need not tell him will be down
to meet him." she said, quietly, and We
will resume our journey to Rome"
And from that moment she distrusted
Bernard Burdois. and firmly believed that
he was acting q treacherous part.
CHAPTER VIII.
THRICE Welded.