Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-07

her brain.
"No. It IN not ono Of my days, butt
She Is so astonishcd at seeing him hero
in Mrs. Brands house, that she finds n
difficulty in speaking quickly or freely.
"You arc going, interrupts he, shortly,
$50 am !. Come"
He opens the hall door as he speaks,
and motions to her to preccdc him. II Is
all done In moment. II he had meant
TO get her out OF the house with speed
that admitted Of no delay, hc could not
have done II more promptly. Still de-
vourcd with surprise at his presence In
upon this, even In her thoughts, until
long aftcrward
As they leave Mrs. BrCnd's house be-
hind them Anncrlcy's manner undergocs
q change II loses its briskness, and re-
turns to its usual calm habit.
"But you-perhaps you did not want TO
come away so soon," says Nadine, in n
low bewildered tone.
What could q city clerk want in Mrs.
Brands house ut that houri
"Ycs; was quito ready. My business
was finished" returns he, steadily.
"Your business' business with Mrs.
Brandt"
"And very serious business! SO Sc
rious that It is conducted as secretly rs
possible"
at has to do with your-your-flrmi"
asks she, in IN awed tone.
"With-my flrm' Yes. I was sorry
| you met me here. It Is Of the utmost
consequence that my comings and goings
at that house should be kept dark"
He glanccs at her keenly rs he speaks.
"You need not be afraid" says Nadine,
| quietly. ~ shall say nothing Of Il.
shall not mention having met you. You
may be at rest about that. But confess
| am amazcd--nstonishctlr'
"Comc In here. II Is n fine evening.
A walk will do you good, and-I have
something 10 say TO YOU"
Entering the principal entrance 10 the
park, they stroll together In silence
pass the row, the drive, the last touch Of
and nursery maids, until they find them
selves In dull, out Of the way spot, and
virtually speaking alone.
"Ycs; am moro surprised than can
tell you," says Nadine again, pausIng TO
look into his face. ITO meet you there!
And this secret busincss-I hope II means
no harm to Milliccnt-Niiss Grcy.''
"Nonc at all, assure YOU" He
laughs easily. II shall not harm Miss
Grey. Ny business, so far rs she Is con-
cerncd, will very soon be at an end"
"Then she IL mixed up with it,"
"well. yes"
paul" says Nadine, leaning forward
and speaking In u low tone, II think I
have guessed II. lit has something to
do with-hcr sapphircs."
An extraordinary CLEAN flashes across
Nr n 10 .
airy, but brilliant. Fear, suspicion and
something stronger still ARE blended in II.
II may be that hc is disconnected at hav-
ing his Cuisines" with Mrs. Brand thus
publicly put into words. To be discov-
cred, no matter how innocent the oircnsc,
is disagrccablc &c most.
"You are not pleased that have found
II out," suggests Nadine, timidly. But
do not let IL distress you. | shall bury
the knowledge In my heart. No one shall
be the wiser for it,"
"You will do well TO do so," says An
ncrlcy, recovering himself with an effort.
lyon will take care also not to let IL he
known by word or glance That you met
me tonight ut Mrs Brands. Much de-
ponds upon your faithfulncss in this
matter"
.'Thcn you have found clcw TO the
thief You arc on his track" asks she,
breathlcssly.
"Yes; there Is n clcw." lie pauscs
moment, looking down into her eyes as
though he would read her very soul.
"Swcar TO me you will not mention hay.
ing met me tonight. he says mt last, in a
low, vehement tone
His intensity frightcns her.
"Thcre is no need for it. have prom
Used; but II you wish it, ycs-l swear not
TO reveal our having met" she answers,
ncrvously. "Was it this you wished TO
say 10 me, pault'
''This-and something else. But
flrst"-
lie breaks OF abruptly, and laying his
hands upon her shoulders, turns her so
he can see her better. lie has been gaZ-
ing at her intenily, and the extreme
beauty OF her flower like face, enhanced
by the touch 81 tlmi,lity his stern voice
and manner have brought into IL. hns
set on fire the love that already burns
brightly In his bosom. She is the one
solitary thing on earth that he cares for
the one human creature he a,lorcs with
n passion, wild, ungovernablc. that some
times from the very strength Of II makes
even him tremblc. II he should lose her!
The very idea makes the blood rush tu-
multuousiy 10 his head. And there IL
that TO be said 10 her Tonight that
But she will not fail him--shc shah not!
"Nadine" cNclaims he. In n suppressed
tonc-low, vehement. Tell me that you
love mel have loved you so we'll that
will not believe you have given me no
return. All my hcgrt--nay, my very
soul, Is yours 20 save or ruin, MS you
will. Is such devotion To go unrcwardcdy
See! ] am Notwithstanding before You
rs the vcricst leaf that grows. lest your
word fail me. Does not this touch YOU,
Are you inscnsiblc, hear;less' Well, then!
II you cannot from your heart say that
you love me, ut least tell me that your
heart IL cmpty-that you arr indifferent
10 all the world"
lie waited brcathlcssly. But rs the
Waiting lcngihcns dark frown gathers
ON his brow, and savage expression
curves his lips. Nadine. faint, terrified,
and still with that terrible numbness
overpowcring her, draws back u step or
two and presses her hand convulsivcly
against her face. Annclley, laying his
hands upon her shoulders. gives her
violent shake. \ low cry escapes her
This cry releases her from the nervous
bondage In which she has been held.
Speak, girl" cries he roughly. 1T
Is true you never yet told me that you
love me- Am now 10 learn that you
have made that confession 10 another
man,
"Oh. no, no." The assurance falls
from her with fcrvor which ho places
10 u wrong account. With n passionate
thanLfulncss she tells herself that she
can 1T least answer this last question
with truth. To no man Inns she said
II love you"
"Ah" says Anncrlcy. drawing long
breath III eager relief, that is well Tor
my rival had h. existed. "
There Is such subducd fcrocity IN his
tone that Nadine shiyers.
'lic content" she says, calmly. lyon
have no rival. There is no one can
marry"--
Except me. That IL MS Il should he"
II" sishS heavily. mud still regards her