Bridgeton pioneer., 1885-06-11

story tonight. but will wait to hear il
until you are quite strong and resteC
after a nights sleep. But" swiftly
you will tell me tomorrow"
Il will tell you now" he answered
rising also. "Give me your hand. DC
you believe thatit was from no wish to
hide anything that did not tell you be.
fore?"
She did not answer in words, but
neither did she take her hand from his
This afternoon" he went on. 81 made
mp my mind to go, and then" He
! hestated. Il thought at first | need say
was the only one who need suffer-"
But this afternoon" she interposed,
"you thought that | should suffer too
is it not so?-and therefore you made
up your mind to tell me. 1t was better,
/ kinder" she added slowly clasping both
/ hands about his. 1T is foolish. wrong
/ perhaps, to say so, but do not reproach
| yourself; never shall. Even if you go,
and never see you again. | shall re-
member how happy | have been. did
not understand it before. but now l do.
| understood it. | think, this afternoon.
and now"-the steady voice faltered-
/ now | have only to learn how to live
/ without YOU"
He turned away, drawing his hands
from hers, and sat down again, his eyes
! turned toward the dark. silent garden.
Il can say nOthing"-and his voice
sounded hoarse and difficult; but if
regain nv freedom, NAV | come back?"
She clasped and unclasped her hands.
as if she were in pain, and it was mo-
ment before she spoke.
Perhaps it would be better not to
think of it." she answered. 1T has been
mistake. There will be difficulties and
pain anyway. 1t will, | dare say. come
right for you-" And then. breaking
off, and her tones growing quick and
passionate. Il cannot say it, | cannot"
coming a step nearer to him. and laying
her hand on his shoulder. "Oh. Esme,
| cannot live without you Do not
leave me. l love you, love you."
At the sound of the passionate words
he half turned. holding out his arms.
but. recovering herself, Sydney stepped
back.
Forgive me-" she began. 81 am un-
happy. L did not mean to speak like
that. want to ask you other things.
Tell me-" her voice falling. who is she?
Have you-have you known her long?"
"The greater part of my life. She is
a ward of my fathers"
Tell me more" as he paused, "do not
fear to talk to me. You see for YOUR
self | am quite calm again, and l should
like to know everything. Oh, it will
come right again. never fear.-for YOU.
| mean. when you go home. if YOU have
known her and loved her so long. This
will then seem an interlude"
He turned his eyes, full of pain. to-
ward her. where she stood above him.
Il can say nothing" he said. as hehad
said once before; and, as the words had
touched her then, so they touched her
now.
''Do not mind me-" she cried. quickly
do not heed my words. l am jealous.
you see, that she should have been so
much to you, and for so long, and that
| should only have known you for
Ousy. But, ESme. she would forgive
me, l think, even if she learns all this
in the future-if she knew. also. how
much have suffered tonight"
And | too. You know that. do you
not? And it is all my fault. Ny suffer-
ing, and yours, and-all the previous
mistake-tbere is no one to be blamed
but myself"
ut was a mistake" she repeated.
drearily. "Ah, why do men make such
mistakes? Tell me"-speaking low and
breathlessly-"did you love her? What
am | saying? Of course you did! You
have told her so hundreds of times
and-only month ago."
She was standing in the embrasure of
the window. and she wrung her hands
together with certain despairing gest-
ure, born of her pain and her despair.
Hearing her, Count Lindenheim stood
up. and, coming near, put his arm about
hlr II q ca toll hot Lo III
her thus in his firm hold she was power
less to move.
Listen" he said, in clear, determin-
ate tones. and with one burning hand
over her clasped ones. you shall hear
me once, and you shall believe me. Do
not taunt me with the past; it was
mistake. shall go back to her, shall
tell her so. She is good woman; she
Will give me back my freedom, If she
does"-his arm was now clasped more
tightly about her-'I will come back.
and l will remind you of to-night-of
your tender words, your tender looks"
And if she will not?" 1t was Syd-
ney's voice that asked the question
Sydney's voice, so low that he had to
bend his head to hear what she said.
She felt the clasp of his hand tighten.
but his voice was steady as he answer
ed, linen In some happy future you
must forget me-" But his voice faltered
as he spoke.
Il cannot, I cannot" she cried, and
he felt the quickened heartbeats. the
passionate vibration of her voice. "Oh,
come back to mel"
When come back" he answered. II
will say all to you that l am forbidden
to say tonight. When 1 come back"
his voice losing it's determination and
growing tender and loving, Il will ask
for the kiss that will not take tonight.
Now, will only" putting her at lit
tie distance from him-"I will only look
at you once more, and ask you to trust
me. 1t will not be for very long, but
trust me until you see me again. Will
you promise%
Il PROMISE" she answered. "Do not
believe me except when / say that l
trust you, and will trust you until 1 see
you again"
He shivered little after her words,
and it served to remind her of what she
had wellnigh forgotten.
"You ought not to be here" she said.
tenderly. "You know you promised
that, if would listen to what you had
to say, you would take care of yourself
afterward. And it is not taking care
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