Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-09
UNIoNl
SET In A SILVER SEA.
A ROMANCE BY B. L. FARJEON.
CHAPTER XXXyI.
HAROLD FINDS HIMSELF AN ourcAsr o

The story was told. Without reserva-
ton, but with a delicacy which could not
be surpassed, Harold related all that he
knew of Clarice from the time of her be-
trayal. Frequently was ne stopped in his
recital by Margarets tears and anguish,
and his heart was racked by the sight OF
her suffering. He knew he could do moth
ing to lessen it, and he did not attempt by
word to exculpate Mauvain or himself
from the wrong which lay at their door
but even in the midst of her own grief
Margaret recognized that the man who
stood before her with downcast head and
eyes suffused with tears was more sinned
against than shining. Nothing yet had
been said concerning EvangeIine her name
had not been uttered during the interview.
Harold seemed to be waiting for cue
from Margaret, and she did not give it
her mind was occupied only with the i'm
age of her beloved Clarice.
There is still something more, she
said "does my sister live ?"
&c 1 cannot tell you," replied Harold,
seeing an opportunity OF introducing Evan
geline's name. a year after the depart
ure of Ranf and Evangeline for the Silver
Isle-"
He purposely paused, and made no effort
to complete the sentence, and Margaret,
detecting hidden meaning in his tone,
gazed at him with new and suddenly
awakened interest.
'' Yes, yes-go on"
"a year after their departure your sister
suddenly disappeared"
You made an endeavor to find her
Y on did not leave her to worse fate than
had already befallen her -"
81 made every endeaver to discover
her for months l continued my inquiries
without success; could learn nothing of
her and believe am correct in affirming
that from that day Mauvain has never be-
held her."
''Then she is deadg" cried Margaret.
''No hope remains Not in this world
shall be able to obtain her forgiveness for
my cruel desertion of her"
Harold was silent; he had no consola-
ton to offer. He waited till this paroxysm
OF grief had passed away, and then said
&c You saw Evaugeline when she first ar
rived upon this isle, child"
Eyes; and my heart was drawn to her.
begged that she might be allowed to en-
ter my home as one of my family, and
the islanders consented to my SO receiving
her"
"a natural prompting you know that
Rant is not her father"
Rant himself informed me that she
was doubly orphaned.
Had you no suspicion-it is but con-
lecture on my part but it is in my mind
as an impression impossible to efface-that
she might be as rear to you in blood as she
is in affection ,"
"My God !" cries Margaret, seeing what
AC MAnuCu W COHNC}. IOQ
own suspicious All, if it be true, then
ia Evangeline doubly dear to me But the
proof-the proof 70
The proof is in her face; by hundred
signs too difficult to describe, am 1 con-
WINGED of it-as when first saw her, a
child, in the old land. 1 am unable to as
sist you further; but there is one who may
help you-the hunchback, who, in some
strange way, appears to hold the threads
of this mystery in his hands"
al thank you-I thank you. Rant is
our true friend 1 honor and love him. He
babe me be patient and silent, and to trust
in him. 1 have been neither patient nor
silent. How was it possible, suffering as I
have been suffering' At what are you
looking?"
She moved to Harold's side by the win
dow, through which he was looking into
the garden. By the soft light of the moon
they saw Evangeline and Joseph Sylvester
walking slowly to a wooden shed, on the
roof of which some dove-cores were built.
The Young mans arm was round the girls
waist, and she leant toward him tenderly,
.confdingly, her head almost touching his
breast. A sweet and wistful smile lowered
about Margaret's lips.
"There is consolation in those signs
They love each other, and 1 shall have my.
sisters child always with me. God be
thanked Already had she accepted it
as fact Evangeline was hers, of her
blood, and would soon be bound to her by
even closer ties of love and kinship. "How
wonderful are Gods ways 1t almost APP
pears rs if through all the years, and
amidst our deep unhappiness and deeper
wrong, he has been working to this end.
See Joseph is climbing the ladder to the
pigeon-house. Then a message has come
from Rant Yes-the bird is in his hand,
and he is descending with it. l must go to
them"
She was about to leave the room when
she turned to Harold, and said, holding
out her hand to him:
81 forgive you, and l believe in what
you have told me. 1t was not in your
power to help my beloved sister, or you
would have done SOL am sure you would
have done sc"
u would have laid down my life in her
cause" said Harold, in low sweet tone !;
you honor and comfort me by allowing
me to touch your hand"
When you leave here tonight, said
Margaret, do you go back to Mauvain :"
"No," replied Harold he had not told
her the personal particulars of his inter-
view with Mauvain, and she was not aware
that Harold had renowned his friend
ship; mo; it may be that I shall never
look upon his face again it must be that
be and / shall never more clasp hands in
f..-I.l.,.