The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-04-02

ANulUllk tue UldNlng- WIN IT'S CUttIlNi AT
mosphere Of talk and music, Mr.. North chose to pass
the evening of that mOmentous day alone In the
library, an apartment little affected 10y any memher of
that unstudouS household Long he sat there I'M
mei-od In thought, reviewing the events Of the after
noon. A sangnne man by nature, and desperately
anxious for In this matter he very 10th To
give mp the hone Of winning Marion LocEhart for his
wife, yet the conviction would force Itself upon his
mind that her refusal was as she hal declared final
An interruption came NJ length III the shape of u
Hight tap at the door startling North In the midst of
his gloomy reflections.
- Come In, - he called out mpatiently.
Thereupon the handle OF the door was softly turnei
the door Itself next pushed wide and carefully
eyes to who the intruder upon his sad solitude
mic ht he. Immediately great change came over his
| countenance and smile sprang to his lips
His visitor was his own fair beloved, looking love-
lier than her wont she advanced with slight
| flush of crimson upon each cheek and her slender
hngcrs ncfacing themselves In palpablc embarIass-
meut. Observing her expression and hesitation, Mr..
North came to happy conclusion III his own nina,
aud going forward took her tenderly by the hand.
She made resistance: but whatever the saying she
had come to deliver 1t did not seem easy of utterance
for although her lips parted once or twice, no sound
lyon mistook your own feelings this morning, -
cried North at length in the face of her silence his
voice subdued, JOY thrilling In every tone. - You
have come to tell me that yon going to with
some mOrsel of hope. -
al should hardly come To tell you that, " answered
Marion, giving faint smile under the sense Of
amusement that some tribe viii often furnish In the
midst of deep suffering,
~ beg Your pardon; thought that perhaps of
your goodness You wished To bestow crumb of COM
fort upon me before went away - said North, with
| the meekness OF great love.
No, II Is nothing of that nature ~ Miss LoCkhart
made reply sinking into the chair that North placed
| for her "But have come to inform you OF fact,
because TO do so is the only at0nement can make
you. Ana pray, ~ added she, momentuIy lifting
her sad eyes to Heaven, 81 pray that the confession
may undo the consequences of my sin. have moth
| ing else left to hope and pray for.''
''What have you to ,cil me? '' demanded North,
| hoarsey.
| But the blow had virtually fallen. North already
| knew from her countenancc and her words by some
sure instinct he felt that Marion Lockhart's mission,
he 1t what 1t might was OF nature to separate them
wide as the east III from the west.
81 am married; that is what came to say, - said
Marion; and as soon as she had spoken she hid her
face in hor handkerchief without waiting To see the
| effect Of the communication upon her lover.
What, shouted he What do yoa tell me -
| broken voice of infinite wea'iness and sadness
Talbot North grasped her by the shoulder he al
most shook her ia his bewilderment.
''Do you know what you saying? You tell me
| that you are married ~
| 1t is the simple truth; was married some years
| ago.
Good heayensl all is indeed over, - groaned
North
| After that there was a pause. The young man was
| wrestling with the anguish of his wound in absolute
stiffness, while Marion only stirred at Intervals to
wipe the tears that cOursing down her checks.
| The suspense was becoming intoerable to Marion,
and at last she rose to end the interview. But her
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT North who had hitherto remained,
his head supported on his arm mOtiOness against the
| mantepece. She had looked for some harsh Speech
words of contempt, hatred but the face that lie now
turned toward her was SeYercr punishment than any
reproac his lips could have uttered She ga2ed at him
in stricken amazement; 1t seemed though years of
suffering must have passed his head to have al
| tered his features greatly.
| "Why did never know this before2' asked he
| huskily. ''Why have you kept IL seCret?''
| milne Is very unhappy story. - answered Mar
ion with quverlng Inns. "When was very young |
made most unfortunate marIiage my husband
proved utterly unkind, unworthy: and after few
months left him. wishing to put 1t ont of his
power 10 trace me, took my second name, that oi
Lockhart have never seen or heard of him since
| els my sister aware of these circumstances 2''
80 She knows nothing, ~ answered Marion streal;
Of crimson flashing across the palor Of her cheek.
with such confidence and kindness have felt myself
| kink of impoStOr. But Oftener fOrget-perhaps
you can hardly believe it-but forget that have any
other name than that of Lockhart | have been very
happy here, - she added with sigh.
80 Poor child ~ brJathed Mr.. North softIy
| "Shall you inform Mrs. Montagu of this2 WIN il
he right TO do so? ' asked Marion little anSously
after pause of silence and of painful reflection on
| the part of both.
s'What sort OF a man do you take me to be No
yonr secret Is safe, so far as am concerned
| 90 Have / done very wrong?'' Inquired Marion
| again after q brief hesitation.
| 90 We are not able to be Judges one OF another
answered North, a certain genteness tempering tn,
gravity of his manner and words a. But you hav,
done harm. DO you not see, child that your putin,
yourself In false position works evil by putting
like myself In a false position also ~
"Wll You forgive me?n she asked timldly.
"And will yOu not forget me?''
81 forgive You; forget you ! never can. 1t mus
be my lot TO love you while life lasts.
| ON, hush l am too greatly punished. But IL 4
not true happiness may yet be in store for you-''
"say nothing Of that kind. never breathed tn
| word love to any woman before ana | never shall
again. loved you aud must continue now to low
you to the end