Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-12-09
CHAPTER TX.

After a time i grew uneasy. knew that
Sir Adrian was the soul Of honor, and that
had the key of the buhl cabinet but what II
by any accident those papers should be scent
1t would be easy for me to give up the comfort
and luxury Of the grand old mansion; but l
could not bear the thought Of his doing So
Yet, II be had the faintest notion Of what the
papers contained, knew he would see justice
done.
The more dwelt on the idea Of nv sacrifice
the better 1t pleased me- Now indeed could
give proof Of my love, although It was known
only to Heaven Now II was not merely a
phantom love that ! III Dee in my own
mind; hCrt was a tangible proof Of how dear
ly loved him. What greater sacrifice could
a woman makel
My love should never leave Heron's Nest for
me. He should live here with his beautiful
young wife and children, while went out
alone into the cold world. For him should be
the pleasure, for me the pain; for him the
bright happiness of life, for me the unutter-
able woe; for him the wine, for me the lees
and he would never know what he owed to
me. Perhaps when was on my death-bed
might tell him. But no; that would spoil all
My sacrifice must be complete. On my grave
stone | would have only the one word
''Gracia," even as my mother had simply the
word "Isola." NY heart was on fire with the
desire of self-sacrlfice; and / even loved the
pain felt, because It was for his good.
But must have the papers, whether 1t was
dlshonorsble or not He trusted me; but
must break his trust and let him think what
he would. must get those documents and
destroy them, come what might. How was It
to be donei Lady Caryl spent a great deal of
her time In her own room; but, when darkness
set in, and while she was In the drawing-r room
listening 10 Lady Aditha's singing, might
steal into the boudoir and take them sway.
Then, when ] had made away with them,
would go 10 Sir Adrian, tell him that had
betrayed his trust, that the packet was gone,
and give him back the key.
But the night would not grow dark the hsr-
vest-moon shone brightly, and lovely sub
dued light fingered in the sky. My every
pulse thrilled with Impotence What II Lady
Caryl should be seized with a sudden caprice
TO zee for herself what the papers contalnedi
My plan Of self-sacrifce would be vain then.
All, no, my Lowell would rather be buried
alive with the packet IN my armsl
1 listened, with my heart throbbing pain
sthyt oh WIG Hiduu oeaiIth,Ct Whttt otOSN -
marble statue Of the goddess Flora with q
basket OF roses at her feet There was no
sound, except Of music from the drawing
room, where Lady Adiths was singing. The
servants seemed to be all In their own part OF
the house; there was no one 10 see or TO hear
The moonlight streamed through the windows
Of the hall, and lay In great white patches on
the staircase; II silvered the roses at the god
dess's feet; aud by lie light I crept slowly,
J quietly down stairs, thinking rs went of the
night when had followed the light Of the
Christmas star EE.f hHg F91f
Preached Lady Caryps boudoir. There was
no light, except that Of the moon, which fell
silver white across the bull cabinet. With a
quickly beating heart l unlocked the door.
There the papers lay, untouched In silence
took them away
What should do with the precious pscketl
II must be destroyed; but II was not an easy
thing TO do Even II tore the letters into
sbreds there would stin be the remnants.
| There was no Are In any Of the rooms 10 which