The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-03-06

pdbutu III Vue warm, BlOWllB nueS OF sunset |
Judith stood in the same position she had |
maintained throughout the scene, curiously
still and deadly white, unable to raise her
shamed eyes to meet Stephen'a She had
no intention Of spariny herself She meant
to make confession, full and free, but for
the moment she felt incapable of speech.
What-what would he think of herl The
next moment she felt his warm hands in
hers.
judith, what is the matterl Do you
think you are blamable for thisl Do not
grieve for me; L"
II know that am to blame,n she cried,
raising her stormy eyes 10 his "Oh,
Stephen, you will hate me, 1 know l de
serve it, but ] basely betrayed you. Oh,
the fortunes have suffered since that dayl'
betrayed mel l do not understand" he
said, in puzzled tones
"Do you remember the day asked you il
you loved Miss Kendricn her voice falling
to a low key, her head bent down
YES quietly.
"And you said, Yes"
"Did Igp
Have you forgotten itlD with touch of
passionate bitterness.
Il remember now" he said, with curious,
quick throb of his pulses, some of her agita-
ton communicating itself to him
well" and now she stepped back from
him, drawing deep, shuddering breath
las l went up stairs to my room, Aunt Jane
called me, asked me who passed. and told
her all-that she was your sweetheart-that
you loved herr
"How could you do that, JudithYp
II felt reckless, mad am wicked,
hayward creature. l ruined your pros
poets, betrayed and robbed you, and 1
have been justly punished. Stephen
Stephen, take back this money, it is yours,
and it will crush me, kill me, if keep it n
She shook like a leaf in storm, her i'm
ploring eyes and pale face appraised to his.
What could it all meant A fiery thrill set
his heart afame
He caught her hands, and drew her nearer
him
why did you feel so hurt and angry at
my idle words, Judithl7 he said, softly 1t
was cruel question, but men are not apt to
spare, or pass over an advantage
She wrenched herself out of his grasp, her
face and throat afame, her eyes sinking be.
fore his
"Ah, have mercy have suffered
enoughl'
ut was all a mistake 1 ought to have
explained Miss Kendric is engaged to a
friend of mine, and love her only as we
love our friends"
She had no reply ready for him; she only
put her hand to her throat with gasping
sign. So, after all, she could not have the
poor comfort of giving him up entirely
we will not talk any longer now" she
said, at length, in faint, husky tones
Tomorrow, then; must see you to-mor-
row. he said, nor reckoned how many to-
morrows would pass before his eyes rested
on that proud, shamed face again
Eyes, tomorrow" she assented, family.
and then he went away, forgetting Miss
Renevil's unjust will; forgetting everything
unpleasant in the certainty that Judith
loved him.
But while he walked down the street with
head erect and eyes afire, she sat in that
dark, silent room, suffering agonies of shame
and humiliation. She knew he must un-
derstand now that she had given her heart
unasked and undesired, and she thought he
pitied her
"Ah, what punishment-what punish
mentlD
A servant entered the room 10 light the
lamps, and she started up, feeling the neces-
sity of immediate action, il she would sue
cessfully carry out the resolve that had
come to her
In the hall she met the housekeeper who
! IL
there were any special orders about tea.
She stared at the woman.
"Why do you come to mel7
you are the mistress now with a smile,
and another courtesy.
What sickening mockery it seemed
DO as you please, l do not want any
thing, she said, with a gesture Of loathing,
and mounted the stairs YEARLY.
Half an hour later she came down in an
outdoor dress, and with satchel in her
hand She rang for the housekeeper, and
gave her note to be delivered to Mr.. Bry-
ant the next morning
"But Miss Judith cried the berwildered
woman, "what is the mattera7
a am going away" said the girl, quietly,
| pulling ON her gloves
"To-nightn
"Yes, to-night-at once, and leave every
thing here in your carer and then with the
simplest of farewells, closed the door of her
house behind her. She had renowned all
claim to Miss Renevils money.
Stephen Terrell had just looked at his
watch for the third time, wondering that
the morning passed so slowly, when the
lawyer entered his room in a high state Of
excitement
See here, Terrell
WELL
"a strange, most astounding thing has
happened. Miss Aston has voluntarily
| given up her fortune and gone away
what" cried Terrell, springing up.
"True as gospel Here is a note from her,
in which she declares the will to be an lin-
just one, and that you must take possession
of your rightful inheritance
Terrill listened in stunned silence. The
money had become a secondary considera-
ton with him. He understood now how in
tsnsely she must have suffered to take such
a step.
1--WE must convince her how impossible
that is, he said, finally, rather pale and
grave.
HBut finding her is the thing. She has
gone away, leaving no trace behind herr
Stephen read her brief, simple note, and
flushed it between his fingers with a half
groan. Was ever such thing heard of he
Tore! What rash and generous creature!
What a short-sighted fool he had been, not
TO guard against this step on her partl He
told himself, in kind of rage, that he
might have known this, if he wouldn't
surely it would be an easy matter to find
harl
So they searched far and near, but fruit
lessly. Failure-failure met them at every
| turn.
81 will find herr said Stephen, doggedly,
ono morning when he and Lawyer Bryant
met for a consultation
He looked anxious and haggard, his gray
eyes cleaning, and his mouth set in deter
mined lines,
swell, ] feel that we have done our duty"
said the lawyer, mildly "and advise you
to accept things as they are, and take
charge of the property"
"Do you think l will touch penny of
it" he demanded, quickly.
Il see no reason why you should not In
a fit Of pique your aunt leaves it to this
young girl and she, declining to accept it,
runs away and hides herself so well she can
not be foundn
very well; you will hold it in your trust
! for her until she returns.
/ "Bnt whit will Won dnlr innnired tho