Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-11-05

A "
"Eugenia, look at me and say you lore
me-"
His dark eyes charmed and compelled
her.
Il love Won, Hove vour' she murmnrei
Her words sati-fici him: moreover, she let
the Land he gra-pei remain III his, perhaps
even returning tn pressure OF ms own. So
;hev stood Tor more Than an hour. while
Gerald talked ol tie future and the fame he
meant to w,n-t,lAei "a one VINO has the
fullest Mi ence III his own powers and di
rectilg genus.
Presently they saw Mr. Herbert walking
through the tw light toward them. Gerald's
Lund tiyhtele. on the girls SO as TO causc
her Is tive pain.
'R member" he whispered. Life o.
deathl Think Of it while we are apart.
Your love means m; ms life or death!'
Many lover has said an equally extrava
CANT thing, but Eugenia Herbert knew that
his words were not those of poetical
imagery, and as she re-entered the house
sha trembled at the passion she had aroused
What If time and opposition should work q
change in her feelingsl She tried to re-
assure herself by thinking that if she did
not love HIM in the same blind, reckless
way, at any rate she would never meet
another man whom she could love as she
loved Gerald Leigh.
The sculptor went back to Paris-to bis
art and his dreams Of love and fame. Two
years slipped by without any event of serious
import happening to the persons about
whom We are concerned. Then came a
great change
Mr.. Herbert died so suddenly that neither
doctor nor lawyer could be summoned in
time either to aid him to live or to carry
out his last wishes. HIS will gave Eugenia
GO 600 and an estate he owned in Glouces-
misunderstanding else to his son. Up-
fortunately, some six months before hs had
sold the Worcestershire property, and, with
cuipable negligence. had not made fresh
will. Therefore, the small money beQuest
was all that his daughter could claim. How.
| ever, this seemed of little moment, as her
brother at once announced his intention Of
settling upon her the amount to which she
was equitably entitled He had given his
solicitors instructions to prepare the deed.
James Herbert Eugenia's brother was
unmarried, and at present had no intention
Of settling down to the life of q country
gentleman. Six weeks after Mr.. Herbert's
death the greater number Of the servants
were paid off, and Acton Hall was prac-
tically shut up. Eugenia, after spending
some weeks with friends in the north Of
England, came to London to live for an in
definite time with her mothers sister, Mrs.
Cathcart
Since her fathers death, Gerald Leigh had
written to her several times-letters full Of
passionate love, and penned as if the writer
felt sure OF her constancy and wish to keep
her promise. He, too, was coming to Lon
don. Had she wished it, he would at once
have come to her side; but, as it was he
would take up his quarters in town about
the same time Eugenia arrived there.
The hour was at hand-the hour to which
Miss Herbert had for two years locked for
ward with strangely mingled feelings
when her friends must be told that shs in.
tended to marry the young, and as yet un-
known, sculptor, Gerald Leigh, the son OF
her fathers late tenant farmer. Abraham.
She loved him still. She felt sure Of that
much. If time a1l absence had somewhat
weakened the spell he had thrown over her
proud nature, she knew that, unless the man
was greatly changed, the magic Of his words
and looks would sway her as irresistibly as
before. She loved him. yet rebelled against
| her fate.
Her father had died ignorant Of what had
passed between his daughter and the 5oung
artist. Many time Eugenia had tried to
bring herself to confess the truth to him
She now regretted she had not done so. Mr.
Herberts approval, or disapproval, would
have boon at least staff by which to guide
her steps. He had suspected nothing The
few letters which passed between the lovers
had been unnoticed. Their love was. as
yet. secret known only to themselves.
| She loved him, but why had he dared "a
make her love hint Or, why was he not
wellborn and wealthy Could she find
strength to face, for his sake, the scorn Of
her friendsa
| She must decide at once. She is sitting
and thinking all these things in her own
| room at Mrs. Cathcart's, and in front of her
lies letter in which Gerald announces his
intention Ct calling upon her tomorrow.
She knows that if she receives him she will
be bound to proclaim herself his affianced
wife.
He called. She saw him. Mrs Cathcart
was out, so Eugenia was alone when the
servant announced Mr.. Leigh. She started
and turned pale. She trembled in every
limb as he crossed the room to where she
stood. He took her hand and looked into
her face He spoke, and his rich, musical
voice thrilled her.
| "Eugenia-is it life or deathf'
| She could not answer. She could not turn
her eyes from his. She saw the intensity Of
their expression deepen, saw q fierce, yearn.
ing look come into them, a look which star.
tied her.
It's it life or deathf he repeated.
His love conquered.
Gerald. it is ife," she said.
| Drunk with joy, he tire W his arms around
| her and kissed her until the blushe, Owed
her cheeks. He stayed with her as LONG as
she would allow, but his delight was toe
delicious to permit him to say much about
bus plans Tor the future. When, at last, she
made him leave her, he gave her the mum.
Der Of studio at Chelsea, which be had
taken, and she promised to write and LEI
him know when he might call again.
They parted. Eugenia walked to the win.
dow and for long time looked ont ON the
gay thoroughfare now full Of carriages
going to and returning from the park. OF
course, she loved Gerald dearly-that was
now beyond doubt. But what would she
have to 90 through when the engagement
was announced-what had she to look FOR
ward to Is his wifel Must love and worldly
misery be synonymousl
The current Of her thoughts was in sr.
rupted by the arrival Of another visitor
her brother. James Herbert was a tall
young man, faultlesly dressed, and bear
ing a general look Of what is termed hich
breeding. He bore Likeness to his father
but the Likeness was but an outward one
By this time he was a cold, cynical man Of
the world. He had not lived the best of
lives, but, being no fool, had gained ex.
perience and caution. He was clever
enough to study human nature with view
OF turning his knowledge to account,
Eugenia had some pride Of birth; her
brother had, or affected, a great deal more.
He was by no means unpopular; few men
could make themselves more agreeable and
fascinating than James Herbert when it
was worth his while to do So In his way
be was fond Of his sister; certainly proud Of
her beauty; and she, who knew nothing of
his true nature, thought him as perfect as
brother can be.
He kissed her, complimented her on her
good looks, then sat down and made himself
nlaaSanr- She anSworo1 his rap,ariv, ,o.-..