Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-07-02
hard to Danish.

yielded to its spell.
A vague feeling--could it be fearp-
haunted him, and FRANCHISES face ros
before him as he had seen it last. q
the bloom faded from it the stranp
passionate light in the beautiful ewes
| DE tried to Danish all memory OF
in the light of his darling's presence
in the joy of her smile, and the must
Of her voice.
He tried. and he succeeded, and hi
heart was light enough the day he drop
/ ped line to Mrs. King, telling her b
was bring Viviane to see her.
The morn OF the appointed day ros
fair and clear; not cloud dimmed th
azure OF the sky, and Viviane cam
down all smiles Tor har viaik feelfn,
sure she would like Mrs. King fronn
her lovers description.
Charles spirits were light as well
and any fears he had about Francois
he had put aside with firm will, ant
almost laughed at the forebodings tha
had hauxted him for some time.
Early in the afternoon the horse,
stood waiting, and soon Viviane cam,
down in her riding-habit to where hel
lover awaited her.
How proud he was of her, how rare
Jy fair she was, the deep blue of hel
close-fitting habit making the purity
of her complexion more noticeable, as
well as displaying her beautiful form
perfectly.
In his after life, when all hope was
dead. and living itself was bitter as
death, Charles Hamilton never forgot
that ride with his darling. Her words,
her smiles, her every attitude lived with
him forever.
Soon they reached the pretty seques.
tered home of Mrs. King.
AS they approached the door after
dismounting, their hostess met them
with out-stretched hands, welcoming
with smiles the beautiful cir, she was
prepared to love.
After they had spent about an hour
with Mrs. King messenger followed
them. V4yiane's uncle must see
Charles at once about something con-
cerning the mines. He could return in
an hour or two, if he pleased.
Mrs. King would not near of Vivianc
retnrning with him, and Viviane
seemed willinsenough to stay till his
return.
II will return rs quickly rs possible,
my Viviane," he said, with proud
possession in his tone that made Mrs.
King smile.
Half an hour after Charles rode
away. Viviane announced TO Mrs. King
that she was going up the cliff
"My head aches slightly" she said.
''and walk will do it good"
Il would accompany you," the elder
lady said, 'but for years have been
unable to walk any distance. But why
not wait till Charles returnp'
''He will beIate, | know" Viviane
answered, send l must have time to
drink in all she beauties of the scene. If
it is srSn as is described"
ner Wa 'nM er,st'as-.rNis ".s S..-
ing she reached the point where the
view was finest.
A low exclamation of deilgnu ie,s mel
lips, and then she became conscious
some one was behind her; and turning.
she looked into brilliant dark face,
with passionate cleaning eyes-the
beautiful face Of FRANCHISE, the Mexi-
can girl.
For moment the girls stood looking
at each other; then FRANCHISE spoke:
"You are the one he loves; l the one
he won with false promises and vows"
Something in The cleaning eyes
struck terror to Viviane's soul, but she
spoke calmly:
.Of whom do you speak?'
"Of yosr lover-Charles Hamilton"
"And he made love toyou?" Viviane
said, speaking mechanically. for she
could scarcely realize the truth.
Charles Hamilton had made love to
this dark faced girl while she, his be-
trothed wife, trusted him so perfectly.
Yes; made love to me. and taught
me to worship him. But | am going to
pay him back in way he little dreams
off,
Charles had not been detained any
length of time by Mr.. Wentworth. and
at this moment he was making his way
up the cliff. for he had stopped at Mrs.
Kings only long enough to leave his
horse, when he heard that Viyiane had
gone alone.
A terrible fear, which he could hard
ly account for, took possession Of him.
All, Heavens! how soon was ho to know
what the foreboding meant!
As FRANCHISE spoke the last words
she drew nearer to Viviane, and pointed
to the water.
..That would cool my brain," she
said; ''but told him l could never
rest while he lived for you, and so you
and will die together"
A shrek rang from Viviane's lips, q
shrek heard by her lover. who dashed
up the cliff. almost realizing the truth.
Another wild agonized shrek in his
ears, then turn in the cliff. and then
the two struggling forms on the top Of
it. 8
Then Francoise saw him. and . wild
laugh rang from her lips, aud then
oh, God! the cliff was empty.
Like = madman Charles dashed
along, intending to leap off the cliff
but suddenly hia foot struck q rock
and tho next moment he had falleT
forward, . ghastly wound in his fore
head--a wound that took away hi
senses for many day; but when CON
sciousness did come back, he onl.
wished he had died, for tho story the.
| told him wrecked his life forever.
FRANCHISE and Viviane had beel
washed ashore still claspcd in eacl
others arms, and the people, not know
ing the truth, had buried them togeth
er. to sleep till the last great day. whe
all will awake together.
! They told him how the two beautifr
faces had lain togethcr--thc lily-fal
one of his darling, the olive dark fac
of Francoise; the cloud OF bright hai
Of his love mingled with tho rave
tresses of the Mexican maiden; and h
spoke no word. For what could
say? His heart was buried in the grav
Of Yiviane and in tho grave OF Frai
coise as well.
Another woman he never wooed, q
other woman he never won--gre,,
haired and old before his time, he wi
20 down to the grave faithful TO her
whom his faithlessness for little Will
had brought the mystery OF death--tl
mystery Of life as well. in tho brigh
ness Of happy youth.