The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-08-14
itatively, her proud face as colorless as
The flowers she held.

Pardon!' returned the girl; "but
must you break hearts as the only pas
time that will ease your trouble. See,
your sister-for you have called me sis
ter my mistress. many times, kneels to
you and begs you to give back her An
tome, her lover DIS
The little maid was on her knees, and
her dark curls trembling from out her
pretty cap, half hid the round, infantile
face that Redeemed and paled swiftly as
she pleaded for him who had ignored
her.
Get up your silly child,' commanded
her beautiful mistress sternly; "docs
Mr.. Chariot know of your presence here =
mo, madame" answered Ninon humb
ly as she rose F" but you will tell him to-
day. will you not--to-day when you mee'
him by the sea p,
Certainly il you desire it, Ninon,
responded Mrs. Kenwick smiling. And
now bring me my wraps, hear him ask.
ing for me in the hall below"
Presently the maid returned bringing
a shawl of some misty, palerose fabric
that she wound in oriental fashion about
the royalty graceful form OF her mistress
who Immediately went down to meet An.
tome Chariot.
He was handsome man of that dark
fascinating sort OF beauty occasionally
seen in old Spanish portraits. In form
feature and bearing, he WAS at once grave
aud poetic, fastidious, passionate aud wei
bred.
"Ah, NJ. Chariot! 90 early p observ
ed Camilla, giving him her delicate, rosy
finger tips.
How could l be late" he responded
in the purest English, "When l enjoy
so much our hours by the sweet, swee
sea. Will you come down to the beach
with me2 The sunset is charming"
She smiled as she went with him, bu
her heart was heavy and fearful in hel
bosom. She was nervously apprehensivt
OF the denouement of her summer pass
time.
mot there, Camilla" said her admir-.
er IS she would have drawn him among
the ranks Of promenaders, but here, In
this sweet green nook, for l have some
thing to say to you"
He seated her on messy boulder In
the shadow OF q steep cliff grown thickly
over with sweet brier and pink wild roses
I can guess what it is, my friend,
she replied serenely, but with . keen in
ward thrill that was half vanity "yol
have heard something Of the tableaux w
we are to have In honor Of my husband
coming. You wish to help me-you are
very kind
Z" Your husband, Camillaw he cried
"who but l who love you can ever be
that ?"
Surely you should have known ] m
married." responded the woman, hei
heart heavy with dread. her cheeks blsz
ing, as she held forth one dainty hand on
which glittercd her wedding ring
For monochrome ominous moment
he gazed at her steadily, searchingly
aud then his reproaches burst forth In 9
hurricane Of fierce, scathing words.
IL see how it it," no exclaimed; "you
have made me your dupe-my love the
toy of your idleness and amusement
The stain of murder is on your fair, false
hands, and all the waters Of yonder ses
can never wash it away. To wish you
future happiness would be mockery
and blasphemy. FAREWELL"
He dashed up tho cliff with madness
on his livid visage.
She heard him crashing through thu
thorny wild rose bushes, then above the
plash Of the sunset sea, she heard dull
plunging sound and great agonized cry
There was brief confusion among the
promenaders on the silvery beach, there
were inquiries and unsatisfactory expla
nations, and futile attempt at rescue.
In vain! The hungry undertow mus,
have borne away its prey.
And whittier than the face of the drown
ed could ever be, we're the cheeks of Mrs
Camilla kenwick as she vent back alone
to Wild Rose Villa
She called Ninon and told her of what
had happened.
Don't touch me-" cried the girl
aghast; there Is blood on your hands
madame"
That night her maid could not be found
and the next morning Ralph KenwicA
came. ..llt
Camilla was alone In her room-he,
attituge that Of utter misery-her eyes
fixed mournfully on the Sea. What was 10
her heart only Heaven could know.
"She is grieving over our quarrel"
thought her husband, with thrill OF
tenderest pity. Dear soul! was q
wretch to talk to her as Ibid Camilla y
She turned her beautiful head toward
him with q dreary movement, aud her
piteous, unsmiling face seemed aged and
haggard.
"You have come" she said in slow
and bitter tone; "you have come. l sup
pose, to tell me that You have arranged
everything for our final separation.
Have you found your month Of freedom
80 sweet?"
"Heaven forbid. my dear wifsl' he
answered earnestly. what you are
pleased to call - m onth of freedom has
been month Of wrstched loneliness and
remorse for the hasty. angry words that
hurt you SO, and that l never mesnt.
And, Camilla, l should sooner contem-
plate suicide than . final separation
from you. Both are impossible, what
ever l may have said"
The fair woman shuddered. remember
ing him who lay in his suicidal sleep be.
meath the smiling summers sea.
You said that you had ceased to love