The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-02-18


tent Of her folly ere they me, again, snc
then she was a wealthy belle aud he a pros
porous broker.
Now they stood band IN hond, and q
was "BertrAm" aud "Velina" rs OF old
The gir's heart throbbcd with stroug,
joy.
! "Nou will forgive nc, Il you have no, al
ready she said, in low tones
'Velma, why wcrs YOU 50 crucl?' u,
queried earnestly.
"Bortrain, why were YOU So hsrty?' sh,
asked, with sad smile.
You never loved me-"
| Those rsproachful tones, that ten lei
gaze broke down the barrier OF Vclma',
reserve.
ooh, you would moi Say that IL you could
read my heart Yet do not blame YOU;
sent you away with that belief. and lost
you. Forge. that time, Bertrsm, for, ola ! ]
have bitterly atoued. 'loved you then,
and | have never ceased - love you.
never will"
rs it indeed so?"
Bertram Ashcroft leaned nearer and but
for the shy dropping of her eyes, she ould
haye seen a look OH his face that would
have warned her.
You love mc?' he repeated
YES, Bertram, my heart Is yours. With.
out you have been miserable Oh, have
longed so to see your
Her voice was full OF pathos aud tender.
ness; happy smile was Oh her lips.
She thought the moment had come when
she would realize her hearts desire
She waited for him to speak. but no word
came; he dropped her hand. and when she
looked up his gaze startled her.
"BertramW
1T is well" )" he SAID coldly. "Your con.
feSsion compensstes me for all | endured
through your faithlessness. Now you may
know what IL is to suffer as did"
"|Fhat do YOU mean?'' she faltered, a
chillness creeping through her veins.
He caught her wrist and drew her nearer
the window.
Look, Velma Dawn!" he said harshly.
do you see that group of three yondel
just beyond the arch--that woman with
Eellow hair and a wreath OF forget Inc -notsf
She is my wife!"
Your wife"' cried Velma; and then she
turned from him, threw out her arms and
sank down like one bereft of life
Measure for measure" said Bcrtram
Ashcroft, and left her there.
How long she knelt there, with her face
buried in her hands, Velma did not know
She rallied at last, and went back to the
festive scene, only to leave 1t as soon as the
adieus could be spoken.
She met Bertram Ashcroft soon after, bu
they passed without word or glance. She
met his wife, teo-a- pretty, frivolous crea,
tnre without thought beyond her OWL
comfort and the pleasure of the hour.
These meetings were not without etfect
upon her, and at last she decided to leave
the place; life there was becoming uubear
able.
She stood on the piazza of the hotel, At
tired in her travelling suit, when friend
approached.
Have you heard the sad newSP" vas
the query. Mr.. Ashcroft and his wife
met with = serious accident while ont rid
ing. The horses ran away, and both were
thrown out"
Velma stood like one turned to stone.
"Dead?' she asked mechanically.
Mrs. Ashcroft was killed instantly, but
he still lives. They say it is only the ques
, ton of few hours"
Velma bowed her head and walked away
Her brain was Nhrling, her heart beating
madly; shs scarcely knew whittier hei
footsteps led,
, ''Bertram dying" was her constant
thought, and then she found herself at his
home, in company with his physician.
: Mr. Ashcroft is seriously injured" hC
said, in answer TO her questions "A
3 times he Is delirious, and calls constantly
= for some one. 'Voma' is the name.
~ am she," Velms answered, calmly
, ''Perhap. could quiet him.
III the fever abItet there would be
] chance Of recovery said the physician
1--WE will try your power"
4 So Velma went to him, and her presence
soothe the sufferer into slumber. lie knew
4 her when he awoke.
e "Velma," he said II have a confession
to make. did not marry for love, but
u thought you were false. love you still
L | can tell you this, uow she is dead and
= am ing. Measure for measure, said -
+ all so it is--of love. You will not forge
d me when am gomez
u "You shall live, Ber,ram, said Vslma
passona,ely. Death shall not part u
- now"
It was challenge, but for once he drea
|, Conqueror was kind. he yielded hiS prize
n and Life was victor
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