The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-08-12
Nella, did he know"

Don't question me now, dear" she
said, TREMENDOUSLY.
"You have confded in me, but l
cannot tell you my story yet"
When she was alone she fell upon
her knees and broke into bitter weep
ing,
"Why, why did come?" she moan
ed. "Yet, perhaps, the hand OF fate
guided him here. And he is going
away / must see him before he goes
Il must know the truth "a s..
The dinner hour came and passed.
Terry Raleigh was the life OF the
party, gay and sportive.
He offered his regrets that he must
absent himself that evening; but a
matter Of Importance urged his pres
ence elsewhere, and standing arm in
arm on the stone steps, the two girls
watched him ride away through the
gathering gloom with that gay smile
on his handsome, boyish face, and up
lifted hand waving his velvet cap to
them as he went
At ten o'clock Lisa found herself
alone in her own room.
She extinguished the light and sat
down near the open window with a
Thoughtful face turned toward the out
world.
The moon appeared above the tree
tops and flooded the gardens with its
silvery light, and in its path dark
figure walked and disappeared among
the shrubery.
One moment Lisa hesitated, then
winding light scarf over her head,
she crept quietly down to the silent
garden, and they came face to face in
the moonlight-Madison Raleigh and
the girl he had last seen under the
Italian skies.
elisa he cried hoarsely, and then
he drew himself up coldly, and his
face took on look not pleasant to
see.
81 had hoped to avoid a meeting
he said. "You have heard my story
why do you not shrink from me?"
Eyes, have heard your story" she
answered steadily. answer me one
question-is that why you never wrote,
never"
"That is why / have been silent
these three years." he said "Youl
condemnation would have been more
than could have borne"
care you sure l would have con
demned?"
"Lisa-Lisa Marvin-are you sin
cere, or are you but playing with a
mans tortured heart? he said, almost
sternly. Do you believe in me, trust
me? God if | dared to hope
"Do you believe in me-love me
still?" he added, hoarsely, while hi
breath came in quick gasps. "Wo
man, you have given me hope-yot
shall answer me. Prove it, prove ito
Forgive me, Lisa, know no
what | say. Your words have fren
zied me. Go-go and leave me-"
He fell back, and his arms dropped
heavily to his side his head hung
upon his breast; he started as though
deprived OF live.
| Oh, that awful suspense, that mo
ment Of doubt Two liyes were wait
ing sentence. II they parted now i
5 would be forever.
A low, bitter exclamation fell iron
; his lips, and the sound reused Lis
from her seeming lethargy.
Madison" she said, "I do believ
in you. Put me to the test"
He never stirred from where h
5 stood, but raised his head slowly an,
I looked into her appraised face.
! "Will you link your life with mine?
he asked solemnly.
: "Yes."
s 1t was low, whispered word. bu
he heard, and the next instant sh
was clasped to his heart and he wa
e pressing passionate kisses on ckee'
e and brow and lips
"God bless YOU" he cried, but ther
e was the sound Of despair in his tones
e and then he thrust her aside an
averted his face.
|, "Go, Lisa-do not tempt me-" h
n said. 81 cannot accept the sacrifice
I will not let the curse of my life sha(
ow your bright existence. Go, go"
Ere she could speak, a flying iguI
n rushed between them, and they sa
3, Nella, with her yellow hair unboun
:. and her face blanched and Mortified.
n "Madisonl Lisa" she cried. 40
IS come, come quickly Terry is dyin
> he was thrown from his horse, an
IT they just brought him home, OF
n Terry, Terry--can we not see hin
s Come, Gomez
y They followed her to the roo
where PROSTATE form lay and alreat
z the presence Of death seemed to ha,
chilled the air