Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-02-09

The deSpicable meanneSS of his low trick
cry, treachery, deceit and villainy appeared
In so violent a contrast with the nobleness,
simplicity and purity of this guileless
creature that his now thoroughly awakened
sense of honor positively forbade his taking
advantage of the opportunity fortune had
flung at his feet.
AS to Fairfax, so to Natalie, with the
revelation of her love, had come an accom-
panying revela,i on-but of a far-different
character.
When she pushed aside the curtain, she
paused, not only because surprised at the
sudden transformation in her friend; but
because his bent head, worried and woefully
sad face and his figure, with the hands
clasped behind the back, reminded her
forcibly of some event or person that she
felt convinced had entered into some of her
recent experiences.
She had no time to remember what or who
it was; for her interest and distress as to
FairfaXs Sorrowful demeanor drove all
other thoughts from her mind. When, how
ever, he glanced up and that great wave of
color had crossed his face, the resemblance
again struck her SO forcibly that she put
her hand TO her forehead with the words:
Did dream ita Where have seen him
before! Surely, have-seen-ah,1 remem-
Der, now! The old chateau, the Marchioness
and the ball that evening""
Like flash, the scene appeared before
her, with the clearness of inspiration. Again
she saw Lydia at the foot of the staircase,
the young American standing dejectedly be-
side her, his head bent down, listening to
her conversation; again she saw his look of
surprise and flush of embarrassment, when
he caught sight of her, as she came slowly
down the steps with the old Marquis.
A horrible suspicion arose in her mind.
Could this apparently innocent, noble-heart-
ed fellow (whom, for the first time, she now
realized she loved) have been playing fast
and loose with hera Acting the role of a
hypocrite? 1t could not, mast not be true.
Yet, sick at heart, faint under the burden
of the suspicion, she stepped forward, with
the eagerness of despair that knows the
hour of doom is at hand, but seeks to fiatter
itself into a belief to the contrary. Clasp
ing her hands and gazing earnestly into his
face, she exclaimed:
''You are not Mons. Fairfax whom saw
at the ball that cveninga OH say that you
are not the man who has done this. Tell
me that you are what believed you-hon-
orable truei"
Fairfax slowly lifted up his head. All the
light was gone out of his eyes; shame and
self-conviction had taken its place. Quietly
he replied:
81 can not lie to you.'
She sank back into chair and put her
hands before her face to conceal her tears
and look of bitter disappointment and
proach; and with such Ineffable sadness
that Fairfax was completely overwhelmed
with remorse She said, between the sobs
that she bravely tried to stihe:
Sand trusted you soi''
Suddenly she arose, flung aside her tears
and disappointment and stood erect;
naughty, cold and commanding. Any other
but Fairfax would have flinched under the
keen, contemptuous gaze.
"This must ceaser' and, as she spoke,
the words fell in hard, unnatural metallic
tones
Her cheeks flushed with indignation, her
lip curled in scorn and command, her eyes
cleaned with fire, and she looked every
inch the child of royal race.
Fairfax forgot every thing totally, and
gazed in wrapt ADJ iration at this glorious
being.
This must cease You stand confessed
that you are the man through whose arts 1
am here. command you to release and re-
turn me-"
"Whatr' she continued, as Fairfax stood
silently devouring her as it were, with his
eyes, you refuse to heed! Know you not
that the word of the Princess Radziwill even
with her peers, is law; and do you, an infe-
rior, dare to hold her prisonerl Col" she
said, imperiously, her face now pallid with
the strong emotion that rent her. "Go!
Tomorrow you will provide way for my
RETURN
Fairfax, regaining his composure, with .
coolness, dispassionateness and gentleman
ly courtesy, by which even Natalie could not
help being affected, replied in those slow,
calculating, colorless, measured tones that
he could adopt at will:
''The Princess Natalie forgets that she is
entirely in my control; that she has given
me her written promise even to mediate no
escape, while freedom is allowed her 1 do
not deny that abducted you; stole you from
your home; that l imperiled your life, my
life. your happiness, my own happiness and
that OF your family; that risked all; threw
every thing into The balance, including my
own moral perceptions of right and wrong,
my training the son of a Christian gem
tienar, overbore my conscientious scruples
all to succeed in my plans. That love
you, you know. But that have loved you
ever since that blessed hour when first
Oeheld you at the waysiae pool in Brittany,