The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-24

do yOu uo501NouS S&ttl6u0u I'LL uoc
scruples, and you are to go to her this
very evening, and the day after to-mor-
row you will sail for Italy"
The lovely, fower-ike face, dropping
beneath her words, as from cruel
blow, stirred no thrOb of pity in Hilda's
false heart, though her voice assumed
more tender tone as she continued:
$50 you must cheer up, dear, and
look life bravely in the face again.
Once away from this horrid city, with
it's thousand cruel tongues, you will for
get your trouble, and, with your beauty
and pride, you will win the heart of
some rich foreigner or other. Good
by"
And the traitress stopped and kissed
her.
Christine took the situation offered
her, and entered on her duties with an
aching heart, at the very hour when
Godfrey, his breast burning with ten
der love, was fastening toward her
humble home, determined to put his
fate to the test, and ask her to be his
wife.
Urgent business had taken. him from
town Immediately after his interview
with Hilda, and she had time to mature
her plan, and to see it accomplished, be-
fore his return.
His surprise and chagrin may. be i'm
agined when he found her gone, and all
his inquiries could elicit no information
about her. 49,. a
At last, in DESPAIR. he resorted to
Hilda. a.. ... -.i .t..ElE H.
"Do you know what has become OF
Miss Verne?" ,...a .a.a
She arched her brows. .'s
"How should I, not having your in
terest in her welfare? Should repeat
what rumor says, 7 should almost fear
you would STAY me-" and she shrugged
her graceful shoulders provokingly.
Tell me what you have heard" he
said sternly, with compressed lips.
only that she and Signor Ruccini,
her old music master, who was always
such an ardent admirer of hers, in spite
of pretty little Mistress Ruccini and
the three babies, disappeared from the
city on the same day, and some gentle.
man, who is nameless, saw two persons,
bearing striking resemblance to the
runaways, walking, arm-in-arm, in a
most confidential manner, in Brighton,
yesterday morning."
"A foul, base SANDER! Who was the
man who dared say this thing? He shall
retract his false words, or die!''
Hi]da laughed unsteady.
1 said he was nameless. As I have
told you all know on the subject, sup
pose we select a more pleasant theme Of
conversation. Did you have pleasant
trip to Manchester?
And all of Geofrey's inquiries could
elicit no further information about the
woman he loved. At last he fell into q
settled gloom, and went abroad to seek
relief in change and travel.
And Miss Verne, the governess, after
the first strangeness of her position
wore of, took up the burden of life
again with . brave spirit. Her little
charges soon learned to love her, and,
being true woman, her loving heart
went out to them in deep tenderness,
and she daily thanked Hilda De Vere's
kindness in obtaining for her the posi-
ton she occupied. rs
But there was one drop of NORWOOD
which time seemed powerless to soften.
That Godfrey Brandon, the man to
whom she had given her heart in those
dear old days-whose look, tone and
manner had so often told her she was
beloved of him--should have turned
against her in her sore distress and
trouble, should even have doubted her
honesty, was blow hard to bear.
Doubtless, ere this, dear Hilda was
his wife, and even the pain of his cruel
treachery grew less sharp as the months
rolled away in beautiful Italy, and she
was permitted to bask in the glory of
that wonderful land.
Until, one day, in a picture gallery in
Rome, she met him face to face.
She tried to escape him, but his
eager gaze had fastened upon her love.
~ features in very rapture of delight
ed surprise, and, unmindful of the two
children by her side, he caught her
hands and asked, in that thrilling tone
she so we'll remembered:
Miss Vernel Christine! How hap
Ply I am to find you! Where have you
hidden .s yourself all these weary
He would have drawn her arm
through his, but she drew herself
haughtily away, and answered, icily:
Thank you, Mr.. Brandon. I have
pnrposely kept my residence mys-
terry from one whose doubts of my in
tegrity convinced me that he could
have no possible interest in my welfare.
Good-byl"
She turned away, but he caught her
hand.
Christine, what does this mean +?
Do you not know that love you better
than life? Did you not read the truth
in the old sweet time, when nothing
but the fear of my own unworthiness
kept the avowal from my lips? Dear
est, dearest, do not turn away! Mine,
at least has been the one loyal heart
Surely such love as mine deserves a
better response than scorn!"
And, in spite of the two curious
children, and the stray visitors that
fitted through the gallery, the truth
came out at last, and Godfrey learned
the perfdy of Hilda De Vere's heart,