The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-10-14

night in any case?"
Through food and fire. I"
"Then you UiR come? 1t is opera
night; mother and the girls are going
but can have headache and stay al
home for yOu. Oh, Grant, Fate is kind,
after all !"
Kind-well, she gives us a crumb
of comfort now and then. 1t is better
than nothing, Isuppose. But when you
are married."
4" shall always love you," says the
soft, thrilling voice. "I can never feel
for Warren as do for you. Oh, yes,
know he is good and lovely, but what
is the use2 l like him and respect
him he will be a splendid husband,
but I never mean to give you up as
long, dear, as you love me-"
"You make me so happy--happy %
murmured Hobart, while Ten Eyck,
lying white and still, clinched his fists
and set his teeth.
This was the man whom he had called
friend, and this was the woman who had
seemed an angel of truth and innocence,
whose air of virginia. purity had almost
chilled the ardor of his love at times
and awed it into calmness.
These two, his dearest upon earth,
had taken from him all that made
life dear, He felt an almost irresistible
impulse to rush upon Hobart and choke
back into his throat those lingering,
happy whispers of contented love.
Toward Helen he felt sort of trem-
bling horror, as if her fres hness and
beauty had been suddenly changed by
loathsome disease. And then, the ter
rible surprise of it all served to render
him powerless. He could not shape his
thoughts or intentions to any definite
end.
The moments that seemed like heavy
years dragged by and the words of ten
der, impassioned parting were softly
uttered, and at last Ten Eyck knew that
he was again alone. 1t was only for an
instant, however, but in that instant his
plans were made. Hobart came up al
most Immediately, and began whistling
over his pencils and putting aside his
canvases and easels for the night. In
the course of his work he stepped be-
hind the screen, and discovered Tom
Eyck, to all appearances in sound,
untroubled sleep. He started back with
spring, and then stood rooted to the
spot. His heart ceased beating; cold
drops of perspiration stood on his fore
head he leaned against the wall for
support. After moment, during
which he watched the calm face and
closed eyelids, and heard the long, reg
ular breathing of the quiet sleeper, the
color came back slowly, the warmth to
his frame, and smile of thanksgiving
rested on his lips. Thank God was
what he said inwardly. He thanked
the great Judge above that his perfdy
to his friend had not been discovered
Halo, my boy! Do you intend
to become second Rip Van Wlnkle ?'
And Ten Eyck rolled off the lounge,
passed his hands through his hair and
answered sleepily:
"Coniound it all how long have l
been here2 l had an appointment at
five. By Jove, quarter to six Let's
go to dinner,S
Warren Ten Eyck, having suffered at
one blow the loss of his dearest posses
sions, proceeded quietly to his revenge.
He had determined to jilt his fair afli-
anced, in the most gentlemanly manner
of which such an act is capable.
For week or two he visited her, and
behaved much as usual only with a
slightly perceptible languor and iudif-
ference. Gradually his calls became
less frequent, and each of shorter dura-
tion. He pleaded press of business, in
disposition, accidental obstacles, and
continued perfectly kind and courteous;
but TO Helen and to Helen's friends his
detection was plainly evident,
The preparations for the marriage
still went on. He sent her handsome
presents, now and then, in nonchalant
way, as il the engagement had suddenly
occurred to-him, but all the charming
petit soinS of love had ceased, and Helen
felt blankly and bitterly that her en-
pire was at an end. TO Grant Hobart
she said nothing. She shut her white
teeth over the cries of pain, and anger,
and humiliation that again and again
rose wildly to her lips, and held her
head up, facing the world with what
pride she might, and glOncing at the
future with shuddering fear. 1t was in
one of these moods of emotional excite
mont, not having seen Ten Eyck for
nearly two weeks, that she sat down and
wrote him the following note;
"Will you be frank with me, War
renp i ask nothing more Have cour-
age to speak truth to me. There has
crept into my mind "A fear, l feel it al-
most a certainty now, that / have lost
ynnr love. My henrt hrenka 10 write the