The Portland daily press., 1876-02-19

not bear it. He went home and shut him.
self up in his chamber. After all, Richard
son had been true. How bitterly he had
been wronged! Annie would repent, and
love him more than ever, if she knew the in
Justice she had done him. That was wom-
ans nature. She atones for wrong by giving
love. And what if an reimbursement should
be brought about? Etheredge felt faint and
sick. The future shut down dark and blank.
And only an hour before he had dared to In
dulge such glowing visions. He saw MS du-
ty clearly enough, but it is not always easy
to DO ones duty. There was little struggle
between his heart and his conscience.
hundred times the temptation beset nun 10
keep his knowledge to himself, and win An
ME for his own. She would never ; Snow . ,o
Richardson was blameless, and MS great love
might make her happy. At last he knelt
down and PRAYED over 1t. He always prayed
over those things which were too hard for
him. After that he rose and sat down by the
window-felt the west wind on his forehead
saw the pale wintry sunshine gid the long
rows of buildings opposite. For him there
was no more hesitation. If he could make
Annie happy what matter to him how it was
accomplished?
He went down to the sitting room about
sunset He knew he should find Annie there.
Mrs. Etheredge was at society meeting.
Annie was sewing by shaded lamp. She
did not like the glare of the gas. There was
rich color on her cheek, over which the
loose hair dropped low. Milton Etherege's
heart leaped at sight of her, but he stilled it
down and took seat beside her.
"Annie," he said, 81 am an old friend, and
l think you will not be offended If ask you
a few questions. Not because am curious,
any earthly thing"
She looked up in wonderment, noticing the
strange unsteadiness of his voice and the
tremor of the hand he laid on hers.
"Ofended-with you, Mr.. EtheredgeP' she
said reproachfully; ''never that. Go OIL
am listening"
'Annie, you wer once engaged to Leigh
Richardson ?' :
Her heart dropped lower; the crimson came
and went in ter cheeks.
81 was," she said in low voice.
"You loved him and he loved you-was it
not so, my childs"
''We called it love-"
Sand you thought him false?"
"As satan himselfp'
sWhat if you knew that he was not false
that he was true to you always-that the con-
temptable letter which you read, purporting
to have been written by him was vile for
gery-what then %
She was looking at him in mute surprise.
She drew long breath.
'sWas it forgery?"
"It was. have just heard the history of
1t. An ilEnatured acquaintance of Richard
sons, to crafty a petty reveng, wrote the
letter and dropped it where you would be
sure to find it. Leigh Richardson was leal
and true"
She sat very still before him, not line of
her face changing. He waited for her to
speak, but she oiG not seem disposed to do so.
nh; deIno I - r.
Richardson about this mistake p"
"If you please, I would like him to know
thrt he is clear in my eyes. think he would
be glad to know it. Tell him just how it was,
and ask him to forgive me it I was harsh
wife him.'
"Is that all T'
"That is all.'
"Anniep'
"Mr. Etheredgew
"Pardon me for pursuing the subject, but,
ifyou still care for him, you will want to
speak to him on the matter YOURSELF
'But do not care for him."
you do not? Why, may askp"
She blushed as red as rose. Etheredge
put the blush and the portrait he had seen
her kiss together. A sharp pang pierced
him.
SIS it because you love another9''
Eyes," she said quietly, sit is because I
love another"
sAnd that other?"
She rose abruptly and flung off the detain-
ing hand he laid on her arm.
you have no right so ask me thatr' she
said, hoarsely. LET me go! You torture
mep'
II torture you, Annie? I?' What pos
sessed him he did not know-perhaps some
thing her eyes said to him made him bold.
He put his arm around her and drew her to
his side.
"Annie, if you love another, must give
you to him. Your happiness shall be secured
to you, thoughimine be shipwrecked. did
not mean to tell you, darling; but love you
so it almost kills me to think of loosing you.
0, Annie !my little, lost Anniev'
Her face grew rosy as the morning. She
put her arm around his neck.
''Not lost, but found" she said softly.
"Annie," he cried, breathlessly, edo not de-
ceive me! What of the picture saw you
kissing?"
She laughed little, and crimson with con-
fusion drew the locket from her bosom, and
held it up to him. He saw his face.
Forgive me, Milton. got it of the artist,
and have worn it these two. years. Leigh
Richardson is nothing to me-you are ALL"