Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-21
mo"
"You are not. then, Paul Annerleyf'

Nadine staggcrs back from him, ana
presses her hands TO her forehead as II In
pain.
Sand what Of this, sir," demands Sir
Thomas, coming forward.
lie has lost all his pompousncss, his
magistcrinl air has deserted him. Ho looks
old. distressed, shocked. Every now and
then he glanccs bacf 80 where his wife Is
sitting, with her nryis thrown upon the
table near her and her head lying hum.
blcd upon them. lie has taken up the
sappnirc pendant. and holds 10 out 10
Grant Boyle upon shaking palm.
"You--did you give this 70 Afiss
Rochc,"
"Afiss Rocae has said no."
The tone Is contcmptuous; the glance
that accompanies Il rather more 20.
"And-I.ady valworth's diamond cross
that this young lady wore last night"
Sir Thomas voice is even more tremu-
lous now. Hc would gladly have spared
''my lady" (as he always fondly calls her)
this; but II Is better tho truth should bc
ct once known, II possible.
81 gave that also to Miss Roche"
There Is u pause, startling because Of
the intensity Of the silence that masks it.
II Is broken nt last by Grant, lie bursts
into laughter-light. reckless, defiant.
"The game Il up" he says. "Miss
Roche has forged the first link Of the
chain Of evidence against me; the rest
should DO easily made. shall save you
al trouble by giving you tho exact facts
gratis. took the diamonds. took also
the sapphires. 1ia! my pretty eousinr'
turning his handsome head to where MIL
hcent IL standing, and laughing gnyly.
GAS often IN you acted with me In private
theatricals, you little guessed how well
could sustain part, even difficult one,
if threw my whole will into It. must
apologize TO you for that handkerchief,
by the way. could have wished it were
Q finer one; but an actor must be perfect
even In the minor details, and burglar
should not be acquainted with cambric."
Here Massareene makes dash forward,
but Ia restrained by Duran.
"I.ct US hear him out, entreats the lat
Ter wisely.
"Don't waste your superfiuous energy
On me, Massareene," says Boyle, lightly.
"I'm not good enough"
"Kecp Il And after all am hardly q
rival. My charming cousin cared for me
rs cared for her. had no intontion
whatsoever Of depriving you Of her."
"You are q damned scoundrel" says
Massarccne. fiinging of Duran, and al.
vancing to Boyle. his face white with rage.
beyond doubt" replies tho other, with
q shrug.
"Stnnd bnck, Gerald. Why should you
handy words with such as himF' says Miss
Grey, In u cold, naughty tone. 4 step
places her between the two men.
$50. sir" shc says. addressing Grant,
st
with me, and declaring Il loudly TO the
worll, you were carrying On an intrigue
under u false nane-Of which this girl
was To lc the victim"'
Far from IT," replies her cousin coolly.
"You were to be- the victim! had no
intention whatsoever Of marrying you.
had-I havc--cycry intention Of marrying
Miss I.ochc!''
Na,linc starts violently.
Quick TO see and judge. he notices her
emotion. and turns to her.
~ have your promise" he goes on In
low tone full of meaning: then again lets
his glance fall upon Sir Thomas.
"well. how IL IL 10 be- hc asked rcck.
lcssly. "On which cOnnt am to bo first
arraigncd; The diamonds, Is my mother
to be the first Ia cast stOne' Il IL only
just. Scniorcs priorrs."
Lady Valworth lifts her hcad from her
arms and looks at him. Those who see
her face never aftcrward forget how Il
was then. The agony, the despair. the
deadly cold Of IL, all burn themselves into
the memory.
"Oh, Grant! Grant,! Grant,"
The mOurnful cry rises and rings
through the room. II Is u cry from o
broken heart!
Silence follows on II.
The gray head has Rgain fallen forward
upon the outstretched arms
II the son IL moved by this evidence Of
the cruelty Of his mothers grief, he gives
no sign of II. Witha face marble indeed,
and quite colUrless. and therefore impas.
sivc, he waits Ia receive mn answer To- his
question from Sir Thomas.
His stcpfathcr, now utterly unnerye ed,
motions To him to leave the room.
"Prosccution IL impossible. h9 says
hurricdly IAN that is left you IL TO quit
this house and this country with as little
delay as possible. This is the only kind
ness you can sh0w-hcr."
lie points to the motionlcss figure Of his
wife.
"a Kindness that will cost me little"
replies the young man with u callous
smile. ALREADY my plans are arranged
Ia leave I.nsland for foreign sill,
never, hope. ID return 10 IL. On the
twenty fourth Nadine and I sail for
Canada"
Nadine recoils from him.
"You must bc nal," she SAYS. "why
do you nuw link your name with minc"
1T is premature certainly. hut ON the
twrn;y.t.,ird II will be linked with mine
inrcvcr.''
"Ol, no.
This little affair has arrighted youy'
says Boyle, with u dark glance. "In
distant land, under different circum.
stances, you will readily forget it."
Forget this nighti'
And ali, and every one belonging 70
it,
"You hope too much"
"This hope II my lifci II shall not be
too muc.. You shrink now: your
woman's heart fails you; hut in tho time
Ia come there will bc no room for regret.
Joy shall iill your days. Come, take cour.
age"
mot for such cause rs this"
"a truce to follyr cries hs, with q flash
OF passion. IL tell you you are mine. and
shall follow me where go. Have you
ADAFNoetcu lpNt 'h'"t yOht
THAT promise was given Co Paul An.
nerley," returns she firmly.
THAT promise was given Co me! To
me--do you hear whether my name be-
Grant Boyle, or Paul Anncrlcy. @r-tht
devill Coincr' ioing nearer 10 her, he
grasps her hand, II cannot spc..k TO you
with all these gaping fools around; come
10 some other room"
lie drags her toward the door, not
brutally, but with determination. Duran,
going quickly up, by sudden sharp
wrench delivers her from him. He would
perhaps have done more, but that Natline's
agonized glance Of entrcnty Restraints him.
This glance fortunately Boyle fails to see.
"who are you 20 dare 10 intcrfcrci" he
cries savagely. glancing at Duran.
"kecp backi This matter Is between
me and Miss Roche"
Ills gaze returns 10 Nadine. and again
II rests upon her, his crime. his ruin, his
coming exilei
"Nadincr' he says, and his voice has
grown wonderfully soft.
'1.iluls. leiDvpll wnnlh vOli rnal