Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1881-09-17

rose wildly to her lips, and held her
head up, facing the world with what
pride she might, and glancing at the
future with shuddering fear. 1t was in
one of these moods of emotional excite
ment, 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
rem? ask nothing more. Have cour-
age to speak truth to me. There has
crept into my mind fear, 1 feel it al
most certainty now, that 1 have lost
your love. My heart breaks to write the
words. for, more than ever, more Chan
ever, adore you. What will become Of
me if we must be parted? am not
demonstrative. It is hard for me to ex-
press the depths of feeling in words; but
you must k'sow that with my undivided
heart l toce you-you, and you alone
Sometimes | feel convinced that you
would be glad to be free of the bond
that holds you? Oh, forgive me if
wrong you-you, so noble, SO honor
albeit is not possible you could ever
forsake the poor girl whose only treas
nre is your love. Ask your own heart,
Warren, and tell me, once for all, the
truth.
Your own faithful HELEN"
With this note in his waistcoat pocket,
but with no definite intention in partic-
ular, Ten Eyck lounged into his friends
studio, late at night, and found Hobart
smoking by the open window.
Broadway was almost quiet at this
hour, and the star-lighted sky above
was very quiet, indeed, with the peace
not known to mortal life.
On Ten Eyck, Hobart's personal charm
was potent as ever. The habit of friend
ship is wonderfully strong in some
natures. These two had been comrades
since boyhood, had played, studied,
travelled, planned, executed, enjoyed
and suffered together, and, to his sur
prise, Ten Eyck discovered that the fact
of Hobart's treachery had not uprooted
his old clinging affection for the man.
After the first fierce uprising of in
dignation came deep and settled sor-
row. He knew the time of his associa-
tion with Hobart must now be short,
but meanwhile their intercourse should
be the same as ever. ~ s-ss r
He could not do without the support
of this nature that had been SO long the
counterpart of his own.
AS he entered the studio and saw
Hobart sitting alone and thoughtful,
there was positive stirring of tender
ness in his heart toward the man who
had wronged him.
"Hello |" was the comprehensive
greeting exchanged, as Ten Eyck
dragged chair forward and lit his
cigar, throwing his hat behind him on
the floor. 81 was wondering if should
find you in or awake. What cigars are
these? Not the same old Irvings, are
they?"
1.-THE very same. 1 Think they i'm
prove on acquaintance. Odd you should
come in at this moment, Warren. Twas
just sitting here, remembering the day
at Milford, when you fished me out of
SINNERS Pond. I was going over the
whole thing. You hung your life on
thread for me that day, my boy"
II think my mode of rescue was rather
peculiar. know I dragged half your
clothes off in the struggle. 1 made
havoc of your wardrobe, whatever else
I did,"
"You clutched me back from DEATH
I shall never forget the moment your
arm came around me. Warren, from
my heart I wish you had let me go un-
der-I wish to God you had Pc.
swell, why, in heavens name? But,
of course, you don't mean what you say I"
"Yes, mean it, indeed. See here,
Warren, there is something that has
got to be spoken between us. Before
you came in I had made up my mind
that it must be spoken, and then you
appeared as if in answer to my very
thought. Warren, you have always
trusted me. You have given me your
confidence full and free. You have re-
lied perfectly on my truth and friend
ship. Is it not SO ?"
"Need you ask that question, Grant ?'
"Well-your confidence was mis-
placed. have deceived and betrayed
you. l am unworthy of the trust you
have bestowed. am scoundrel, War
ren."
"You have betrayed me?" repeated
Ten Eyck, quietly. ''In what manner ?
How was it possible you should betray
me?"
"You must not ask me that I tell
you that am not worthy of your friend
ship, that I am disloyal- Good God
when you come here and hold out your
hand to me, and look at me with your
honest eyes, feel that my place is in