Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-12-04

him.
Even while he gazed as one who re-
CARDS a spirit, she entered swiftly, and
dropping on her knees, threw back her
heavy vail.
The face disclosed was beautiful, but
pale, and the large gray eyes we're full
of a hungering sorrow.
Extending her hands, she pleaded in
musical tones, "0h, Bertrand, look not
on me tlusl l am no spirit, but your
foolish erring wife, who at your feet
prsys for p irdon."
The words aroused him, Indignation
blended with scOrn in his expression.
Stepping back he exclaimed, Pardon!
Hence, woman. Since you left my root
it has been honest. will keep it So"
"Honestw she repeated, her large blue
eyes opening wide. Bertrand, may
nav, Heaven knows l have acted fool
ishly, wrOngfully toward you. But new
er have 1 been unfaithful in my love;
never have brought disgrace on your
name Or my own
He burst into low, hard laugh.
"Your witnesses, madam" he retort-
ed, bitterly. would you bring Captain
Lascellas as one? Pray, have you tired
of him, or he of you, that you are here?
"Bertrandp
She sprang to her feet, as if he had
struck her. Her pale cheek was flushed,
her eyes frightened; then, in trembling
accents, she added, "Oh, Heaveni truly
am punished more than / can bear,
Bertrand, Bertrandw and eagerly she
stretched forth her clasped hands-"you
snrely never believed, have never been
| living all this while under that cruel be-
lief of the wife you once loved. Foolish,
selfish have l been; never guiltyf'
He laughed again, but his glance wa
vered. The recollection of his passion
| for this woman before him began to
surge about his heart and brain.
Could she who had lain on his breast
could that pure face, those clear eyes,
meeting his in pain, not fear, really be-
long to such being as he had imagined
her?
Finding he did not answer, Alice Fer
moy proceeded more firmly: Bertrand,
not out of your love, for that probably is
dead, but out of your justice, L ask, L
mand of youto hear me. 1t is not in
your nature to judge me unheard.
81 would shut my ears, for women
have serpent tongues as well as hearts,
he answered, with a cruel bitterness,
that struck pain into himself must
listen"
| .'Oh, Bertrandw she murmured pite-
ously, Il have deserved much, but not
quite thisI"
He did not answer, only bowling his
head, for he began to fear his own weak
and dared not look at her.
She went on:
Bertrand, as you are aware, renoun-
ced family and home for your love,
which would have satisfied me, had j
not been of jealous disposition"
"Jealousp'
He threw his head up surprised.
Yes; was jealous of your studying
your discovery, which took you so much
from me- | got fretful in my solitude.
| mistrusted this discovery. | saw how
much better you might have made our
position had you acted as other doctors.
believed held second place in your
heart. The poverty l could have borne
with you by my side became hateful.
brooded until trifies grew to fierce griev-
ances. / began to think you were mad
in wasting your time; that something
should be done to save you. At this pc
riod, when irritation at your supposed
neglect possessed me, l met Captain La
cellas."
Bertrand Fermoy leaned quickly for
ward.
HE noted the change in my appear
ance He offered sympathy. Blindly
accepted it. l made him my confdant.
l found comfort in having an old friend
near me, who could talk of my late
| IN hax
Captain Lacellas threw off the mask. 1t
was the last straw on the camels back.
felt alone-helpless. To avoid this
man fled from you to my father, for
protection. l was wrong; but, Ber-
trand, were you wholly without blame? p
He did answer; only sharp spasm
contracted his face.
l found the hall closed: my father was
on the continent l followed, and ar
rived there to fall ill of fever. On re-
covery told my tale. My father wrote
to you. The letter was returned. You
had gone.
81 believed you were glad to have
been lid of a discontented wife. My
father, delighted to surround me with
every kindness, fostered the belief, and,
believing my love was dead, l accepted
my new life.
But" and Alice FermOy's tones now
trembled slightly-"again l had miSread
my heart. l soon found the poverty
and solitude had had with you were
never so hateful as the luxurious ease l
now enjoyed. craved, Bertrand, as a
wrecked sailor Graves for rescue, fol a
touch of your hand-to see your eyes
gaze upon me as they once did. To-
night l have succeeded. Bertrand, do
you believe what l have said? Will you
pardon-will you take me back home p
The struggle within the man was fierce
and long, but his sense of wrong con-
quered.
Homer he calculated, with a harsh
laugh, as he glanced around. Truly,
this looks suitable one for Squire Ken
dall's heiressw
Bertrand, it is not Squire Kendall's
heiress, but your wife, who pleads. Oh,
have you no pity?"
UnnOticed by either, the child had
risen from the bed. Now, extending his
tiny hands, he cried:
"Mamma-dear mammap
"Bertie, my boyp calculated Alice
FFermoy, in tones that thrilled the hus-
band.
Swiftly she darted to the bed. Kneel-
ing there, she had clasped the child to
her breast, pressing shower of kisses
on his fevered face.
"Great heavenT cried Bertrand Fer
moy, his whole love rekindled for his
wife in presence of danger. woman,
you know not what you dol a virulent
fever has been raging in this neighbor-
hood, and-and-the boy has itr'
A startled glance leaped into the glay
eyes raised to the speaker, but the child
was clasped closer yet.
''Our BERTHE i'll, and you would have
hidden him from me? Oh, Bertrandr'
she exclaimed, Heaven has been kind
in bringing me here at this timel A
mothers place is by her sick childw
"AliceT cried Bertrand FermOy ,hoarse-
ly, "this fever is feartully contagious
DIT dou-n ba hoy