Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-09-29

anguish. Put me out OF your thoughts
give me no place in your heart" she re-
sumed, after space of silence. 81 dc
not want you to hate me, hut you mus
forget me. And let this interview be o,il
last meeting" she added, in broker
voice. Then giving ono quick, depreca
tory glance into his face, which pain and
trouble were beginning to darken, Marion
stole from the room.
".
Avoiding the drawing-room, with its
cheerful atmosphere of talk and music
Mr.. North chose to pass the evening OF
that momcntous day alone in tho library
an apartment little affected by any mem
Der of that unstudious household. Long
he sat there immersed in thought, re-
viewing the events of tho afternoon.
sanguine man by nature, and desperately
anxious for success in this matter, he was
very 10th to give up the hope of winning
Marion Lockhart for his wife vet the
conviction would force itself upon his
mind that her refusal was, as she had de-
clared, final
| An interruption came Mt length in the
shape of light Mt the door, starting
North in the midst of his gloomy reilcc-
TONS
"Comc in he called out patiently.
Thercupon the handle of the door was
softly turned the door itself was next
pushed wide open and carefully again,
closed and latched ; and then North
raised his eyes to sec who the intruder
upon his sad solitude might be. Imme-
diately great change came over his
countenance and n smile sprang to his
| lips.
His visitor was his own fair beloved,
looking lovelier even than her wont rs
she advanced with IL slight flush of Grim
| son upon each check and her slender fin
gers interlacing themselves III palpable
embarrassment. Observing her express
sion and hesitation, Mr.. North came to n
happy conclusion i'll his own mind, aud
going forward took her tenderly by the
hand. She made no resistance but,
whatever the saying she had come to de-
liver it did not seem easy of utterancc,
for, although her lips parted once or twice,
no sound came from them.
"You mistook your feelings this morn
ling, cried North at length in the face of
her silence, his voice subdued, Joy thrill
ing in every tone. "You have come to
tell me that you are going to bless me
with some morsel of hope"
81 should hardly come to tell you that, I"
answered Marion, giving faint smile
under the sense of amusement that some
trifle will often furnish in the midst of
deep suffering.
II beg your pardon thought that
perhaps of your goodness you wished to
bestow criimb of comfort upon me be-
fore went away" said North, with the
mcekness of great love.
"No it is nothing OF that nature" Miss
Leckhart made reply, sinking into the
chair that North placed for her. But /
have come to inform you of fact, be-
cause to do SO is the only atonement can
make you. And pray" added she, mo-
mentarily lifting her sad eyes to heaven,
81 pray that the confession may undo the
consequences Of my sin. have nothing
else left to hope and pray for.
"What have you to tell me ?" demand
ed North, hoarsely.
But the blow had virtually fallen
North already knew from her countenance
and her words, by some sure instinct he
felt that Marion Lockhart's mission, be it
what it might, was of nature to sepa-
rate them wide as the east is from the
west.
81 am married; that is what l came to
say" said Marion and as soon rs she
had spoken she hid her face in her hand
kerchief without waiting to see the effect
OF the communication upon her lover.
what !" shouted he. "What do you
tell me?"
II am already married, repeated Mar
ion in broken voice of infinite WEAKNESS
and sadness.
Talbot North grasped her by the shout
der ; he almost shook her in his bewilder-
ment.
"Do you know what you are saying
You tell me that You are married ?"
ut is tho simple truth l was married
some years ago"
"Good heavens all is indeed over"
groaned North.
After that there was pause. The
young man was wrestling with the mn
guish of his wound in absolute stiffness
while Marion only stirred at intervals to
wipe the tears that were coursing down
her cheeks
The suspense was becoming intolerable
to Marion, and at last she rose to end the
interview. But her movement aroused
North, who had hitherto remained, his
head supported on his arm, motionless
"b"'ip' 'i' DIV liu't ltohtu
for some harsh speech, words of con-
tempt, hatred but the face that he now
turned toward her was n severer punish
ment than any reproach his lips could
have uttered. She gazed at him in strck-
en- amazement it seemed as though years
of suffering must have passed over his
head to have altered his features 30 great
ly.
"Why did never know this before ?"
asked he huskily. "Why have You kept
it secret ?"
mime is very unhappy story" an
swered Marion withquiverng lips. "When
was very yonng l made a most unfor-
tunate marriage my husband proved
utterly unkind, unworthy ; and after a
very few months left him. Wishing to |
put it out of his power to trace me, | took |
my second name, that of Lockhart. |
hive never seen or heard of him since"
SIS my sister aware OF these circum-
stances?'
"She knows nothing" answered Ma
ion, n streak of crimson flashing across
he pallor of her cheeks. Sometimes,
while Mrs. Montngu has treated me with
uch confidence and kindness, have felt
myself kind of impOstor But oftener