Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-03
CHAPTER XXI.


 CHAPTER XXI.
 Duran is at her side in an instant He has encircled her with his arms. Her head has fallen upon her breast He looks at Boyle as though prepared to dis pute him for her to the death; but there is no occasion for him to be on the defen- sive. When that cry, when the word Maurice" has rushed from her lips, Granit, as though he had received a mor- tai wound, had loosed his hold of her, and now stands apart from them, staring vacantly at the half unconscious girl. This he had never suspected. That her heart was not his, he knew; that it was in the keeping of another bursts upon him now for the first time, without a mo- ment's warning, and crushes out of him his last hope.
 There is something terrible in the glance he has bent upon her. He has apparent ly given no thought to Duran, though in him he finds his rival; all his thoughts are centered on Nadine. As if she feels the terrible concentration of his regard, she shivers in Duran's arms, and slowly lifts her head. Her eyes met Boyle's.
 "Sor' he says, and no more.
 There is such 8 cruel meaning in the one word he has uttered that Nadine, freeing herself from Duran's restraining grasp, goes forward as if to refute in per son whatsoever he may dare to insist upon. Yet, as she draws near to him, the ex- treme agony of his expression touches, and forbids her to say anything that may hurt or wound.
 "Stand backl" says Boyle in low tone. will not answer for myself. Probably I shall kill you.''
 sPaull''
 She has forgotten everything save the despair that she has brought to him, and that stands marked upon his pallid face.
 "I warn you to keep away" repeats he in the same dull, methodical tone as be- fore. elf you spoke forever you could not tell me more than know now. 1t is too late to cajole or deceive me further. You must be satisfied with the old vic- tory"
 'If you would but isten''-
 ''To believe again-to be again undone9 Be warnedr' cries he with a sudden &C., cess of violent passion.
 'n you approach me one step nearer, if your treacherous voice sounds once more upon my ear, I will dash your false brains against that wall oppositel' He draws his breath f1ercely, and his hands work together in Q convulsive frenzy. "Trait- ress!' he whispers, cold fury in his tone; Chow has it been between us? I gave you all-my love, my life, my hopes. You gave me a serpent's smile and glances false Gs hell! With desire in your heart for another, you held out a hand to me, and swore you knew not the meaning of the strange word lovel Stand back, I tell you, if life is still of value to you! Nay, not word! Treacherous devil that you are, would still spare your'
 ''If you would only let me tell you howl
 She has placed her hand appeahngly upon his. With a sudden cry, wild as though coming from beast hurt unto death, he seizes her, and finging her far from him, sends her with crash against the furthest wall. She drops like stone to the ground. Duran, holding her to his heart, looks round. Boyle is no longer to be seen. Without waiting to learn the consequences of his fury, he had rushed from the room. ' ssWel, at last my duty is at an end; my final guest has departed. can now rest my weary limbs,' says Miss Grey some hours later, sinking into chair ss she speaks.
 "You look awfully done, D returns Mas sareene with deep solicitude.
 "I am tired. Iconfess it. With all this anxiety upon my mind, to be obliged to go about among the guests and apologize to them for po$ ' Lady Valworth' s absence, was more trying than knew. Auntie was of no help at all. She was thorough ly upset herself, and for the first hour nn- | presentable. Then she rallied little, but to hardly any purpose. Oh, Geraldi what terrible evening this has been" - -''.-
 ''1t has had it's good side, however. You are free"
 "Free-yes."
 '"To let me love you"
 "I have had no time to think of that. l" She regards him earnestly for moment. l "You will compel me to believe you sell fish, l" she says slowly.
 s'Is 1t selfish to consider above every thing the welfare of the one best beloved? If so, plead guilty. tell you have l thought of nothing gince-since Boyle's expose-but the fact that you have been delivered out of the hands of such man" !"
 ttOne must think of Nadine.'' l "How is she now?'' 'Well, but still terrified. His violence did her no bodily harm, but she is oppressed by nervous horror, and will not consent to remain alone for even moment. E She is now in the morning room with MT. Duran and auntie."
 "YOu were surprised about Duran?' Weren't you? When she called out to him that time, and when he caught her in his arms could hardly believe my
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