The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-06-11

me 70 say more
She cringed Us though every word had beer
la blow OAce she even stretched out hei
hands with little inarticulate cry He sa
with his head fallen, and did not even hear it
Then silence fell between them.
1t was strange beginning for a honey
moon, but the weeks that followed were strang
or still After travelling over France and
Switzerland they went to Italy. Hugh was
Invariably polite, attentive and courteous in
the presence of others, but at other times he
treated her like stranger, never offering a
tender word or loving carress.
Murie was glad at first to be left so entirely
to herself; but there came time when her
heart hungered with an unutterable longing
Anything would have been relief that broke
this icy reserve.
One hot, sultry afternoon at Rome she came
and stood before him like ghost, one slender
hand clenched upon her breast
Hugh" she SAID, this life is killing me.
| can bear It no longer"
| a CLEAN of pity came into his eyes as they
rested upon her face. She was very pale, and
wasted almost to u shadow.
"What shall do?" he said "Do you wish
to go home?"
you have only to express a wish, and 1t
shall be gratifed"
ed. She stood painting and trembling a mo-
ment; then, with a strange cry Of voICeIess
misery, rushed from the room.
| The next day Murel went alone to one of
the famous old picture galleries. She was SIT
ting listlessly on a bench IN one of the alcoveS
when familiar foOtstep echoed along the
marble floor Yielding 10 an uncomfortable
impulse, she sprang forward with a loud scream
as man appeared in the archway.
Edgar! Is it really you in this far-away
place:'
Fllnglng his arms about her the young man
drew her closely to his heart
"Murel! On, my lover' he cried in a hol
low voice II have suffered torment since you
went away. Fool that was, why did | lei
you go' Forgive me-this pam and hunger
became uncomfortable and | followed you.
Nothing shall ever part US again"
She did not speak, She felt dizzy and he
numbed. Making feeble effort to release
herself from the arms that held her fast, she
suddenly became conscious that she was not
alone. Her husband stood behind them, pale
as n ghost, and his forehead covered with
heavy drops
Hugh! lTughr she cried, and lettering
forward few steps, she fell at his feet insen
sible.
The wrctched mans eyes met those Of Edgar
Thornton AS he STOPPED to ralse her.
Leave u.s." he said, IN a strange, husky
voice. II do not wish to kill you here, in her
presence We will meet again later IN the
day"
Hours elapsed before Muriel fully recover.
ed and all that night she lay weak and mo-
tioness looking at her husband wIstfuly
when he came, at rare intervals, to bend over
the couch, but never speaking word.
Some time the next morning she missed
him. A horrible misgiving seized her, she
knew no; why. Calling for the maid, she
rose, dressed herself with teverish haste, and
went below.
"Where is Mr. DEUEL. ?" she said to the as
tonished landlord. Il must see him at odce, 5"
Alas signora-"
Tell me where to find him." she fiercely
interrupted.
"He ordered carriage halt an hour ago,
Madame, and drove down to the Old Mill"
Muriel knew the place, just outside of the.
city. Ii was no time to hesitate. Five MIN
utes later she had gwen her orders, and was
being driven at mad gallop toward the spot.
Her feet touched the ground the instant the
carriage stopped. Like one IN dream She
beheld two figures sternly confronting each
other. There came IA loud report and her
husband fell His own weapon had not even
been discharged.
With shrek of agony she ran forward and
raised his head in her arms. Edgar came up
at the same instant
81 am exceedingly sorry for this" he falter
ed. But he was determined to have meet
ing do not understand why he did not fire
at me-"
Mure thought she did, and waved the man
away with a fierce gesture of repuIsion.
That was the last recollection Hugh Denzil
had-her CHASTITY face bending above HIM, and
A. 50 III ,.,hi oh CHI
PEELED the man who had once been her favored
lover.
For many days the wounded man lowered
between life and death, unconscious of all
around. But at last there came time when
he opened his eyes with the clear light of lea
son IN their depths.
Some one was sitting patiently beside the
couch-his wife. At the first moment she was
on her feet, looking down at HIM with gaze
full of unutterable anguish and remorse.
Hugh husband" she cried. Tell me
that you hear me, and understand perfectly
all | am saying to you now"
81 hear and understand YOU he fceby re-
piled.
There Is something | must tell you. |
have longed to do so for many weeks, but you
seemed 50 cold, so indifferent thought al
love for me had died utterly from out of your
heart"
She paused.
"Go on" he said, in a whisper,
do you believe | will care for that wretch
who nearly murdered yody" she pessiona;oiyI
exclaimed. NO no! My love for him died
a violent death long before that meeting in the
gallery. 1t could not survive the knowledge
of his weakness and utter selfishness. | have
gradually come to understand his character
more perfectly than at first He was link
that bound me to the old lie-that was why,
for moment, felt glad to see HIM again. II
you had only waited"
What would have discovered ~ he asked
TREMENDOUSLY, with white lips.
THAT love you, and you alone!"
With these words she threw herself down
beside the couch, and hid her face IN the Gov
orr ILcrn canAn incrnLn lnn. crL--l Ion. ]