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

you to myself for five precious minutes.
1 expect you to pity, forgive and love
me. deserve it all.
"Poor, dear darling There, and
there, and there 1 would kiss away all
your worries and your troubles if 1
could. Dear old pet, what has happened
to vex and tire him SOP"
"I did not see my hearts delight for
whole week. Is not that sufficient !?
And now she scolds me-"
Because she adores you too much
But would you have come to me to-
night in any case?"
Through food and fire !"
"Then you piN come It is opera
night mother and the girls are going,
but can have headache and stay at
home for you. Oh, Grant, Fate is kind,
after all p
Kind-well, she gives us crumb
of comfort now and then. It is better
than nothing, Isuppose. But when you
are married."
Il 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 use? I like him and respect
him he will be splendid husband.
but l never mean to give you up as
long, dear, as you love me-"
"You make me so happy-happy 7"
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
-leathaonae- 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 aud 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
a 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 leeper, 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 a second Rip Van Winkle ?"
And Ten Eyck rolled off the lounge,
passed his hands through his hair, and
answered sleepily
"Confound it all how long have
been here? 1 had an appointment at
five. By Jove, quarter to six! Let's
g.. to dinner"
Warren Ten Eyck, having suffered at
one blow the loss of his dearest possess
sions, proceeded quietly to his revenge.
He had determined to iilt his fair affi-
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 indif-
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 a nonchalant
way, as if the engagement had suddenly
occurred to him, but all the charming