Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-21
(Continnfd nom FYrst Paae.l

Continued rom First Pdgc.)
"You have not told me where you are
going" she says, pressing her hand
against her heart to still It's throbbing.
al can tell no one that"
"What! not your motherf Grant, do
not fear, will bctray you; anything you
say to me now will be sacred. Tell me
where It Is you mean 70 CO."
al cannot"
"But why-whyt'
"For the simple reason that I don't
know myself" There Is curious CLEAN
In his eyes that disturbs her and makes
her forget the flippancy Of his tone. "It
Is to q strange land will wend my way
before the day Is very much older. A
stranger In strange land! Ny reception
will be cold one, or perchance a hot
one"
He laughs wildly. Ills merrimcnt Is,
however, shortlivcd, breaking of almost
rs II began, and ending in dismal
silence.
"You are thinking Of Africa" says his
mother, trembling, she scarcely knows
why. "lf you still refuse to let me know
exactly where you are going, ut least
promise you will write 10 me. Grant,,
my dear, dear son, promise me that"
~ will promise you anything you like,
though doubt IL you would care TO keep
up the correspondence. There Is some
thing terrible In his manner, which has
grown frivolous In CHASTITY way, and his
face Is livid. "Shc will live and pros
pei" he says inconsequently rs II seems
TO Lady Valworth; "but she will have to
remember. will compel her to do thati
And remember you," laying his hand
roughly upon his mothers shoulder, IRE.
member well that my last words were that
she was responsible for all!'
~ will not believe these are your last
words. You will return to me, when all
this has blown over you will return, II
even for month or SO. Promise me
that, zoo, Grant,"
From where am going no man re.
turns"
''rhat is not true. There is no place
on earth from which you cannot come
back TO me, IL you only will"
mo place on carthr' He repeats her
words slowly. my place on earth will
know me no more" He seems to wander
away from the actual meaning Of her
words to the mere sound Of them. 81
have no longer any place on Garth" he
says drcamily.
"You have place In my heart always"
cries she, with sudden burst of weeping.
She throws her arms round him, and
clings to him In mn embrace that Is full
of despair. "Aias! my one child! my
pretty baby! that It should come TO this, !"
she means, bitterly.
"You will not forget my message to
herr"
Though he Is supporting her half faint
ing form, he hardly needs her; her words
bear no meaning To him. His mind Is
ever with the girl who had unconsciously
betrayed him, whom he has lovctl-whom
lie still loves, with terrible intensity.
~ shall forget nothing When do you
start,"
"whcn yon leave me-"
"Thcrc will be no train, darling, until
z o'clock"
al shall require no train"
"IIut how, then, will you go."
Again he bursts into that loud dis
cor,lant laughter that chills the blood In
her veins.
"Do not be uneasy about me. have
prepared for myself mode Of transit
swiftcr than any train. Pouf! Steam
will be slow to it,"
"You do not trust me-" she says sor-
rowfully, still unsnspccting, still dead TO
the warning that his words, his face, his
manner, should have given her.
I trust you entirely. trust you with
my last mrssage-tO her! Now CO."
~ shall see you again." entreats she,
lingering.
~ hope not! hope from my soul
notr'
For She first time his composurc seems
10 desert him. lie grows CHASTITY pale,
and 1t Of shivcring seizes upon him.
"You are lyon are suffering" cries
his mother quickly.
"No. 1t is nothing. Only go! ]
must be alone for awhile, and my time 10
short. Good-by.
STOPPING, he prcssc. his lips to her fore
head.
"For the moment" she answers anx-
iously
"Good.by"
There is no denial OF her question In his
manner, and she Is fain To be content
with II. She clings 10 him, and embraces
him warmly; an embrace he returns In
kind. she moves as II TO leave him. AL
most as she reaches tho door, his voice
stops her.
not-tlo not lie unkind 10 her, When
am ,.,nc. do not show or feel resentment
toward hers,
lie makes horn sign with his hand to
declare Inc has said nil he had called her
10 hear and i, hing ont. she closes the door
bcl,ind her
The sonnd ~ her retrcntin. footsteps
has .lic,l AWAY lie 1, nlonei lie stretches
out his arms wcarily. ns ons light who
has inst flung from him some cruel bur.
d.n ami ,,r,,,,r,, hact tbe curtnins onens
wiic Inc window and cnzes ont upon the
craving ,ay Already tho sun has
mounted the heavens and from the en- 4
soft rosy lars m trcmulons light nre do.
sccndinr upon the distant hill tons. From
emong The l,urels comes IN. thrilling
music ~ innumerable birds: from tho
,yoo,I ,hc cooin, ~ the ,,cntlc nigeons
A roc. ,h,, h,s ciimbc,i mn the ,rnII mora
ar,hI,ions than 10 feIlo,vs tbrus,s ia
scented ne,aIs into His hand
Mcchnnic.IIv h. accents the Gift and
hrcaLin- the sior.cr from, i,s s,en,' inbnlcs
~ ncrt,,mc 7, a. srec, wien dew nnd