The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-09-01

out, perhaps, the brilliant coloring an
sumptuous outlines of Maud Branksome
but with a nameless charm all her own.
Suddenly she paused in her walk, an,
- put her hand in her pocket.
81 should have destroyed the Slip" sh
murmured.
my God have lost it,.
Her face grew slightly paler.
81 do not know why l am so nervous
Even If he learns the truth All. heav
ensl it would madden him and kill hi,
mother, and-they would hate me-per
haDs curse me-"
TAe evening shadows we're falling, and a
few minutes later Leigh Denver Joined her
Perhaps l only imagine It, she thought
"or is there change in his manner"
As the cleaning gathered, she excused
herself on the plea of headache, and il
was well for her peace of mind that she did
not see the expression that shot into his
eyes, though he simply bowed.
One hour later she stood at the old oak
in the grove, a handsome dark-eyed man
at her side.
She laid roll of bills in his hand.
''You will keep your promise, Regnald?"
she said. "You will go to some other land
and begin"
II said so, and-perhaps l mean so. If
l told Leigh Denver the truth, and he loves
you"
lie would scorn me-"
'If told him that
Hush! for Gods sake, hush What
good would it do youP He is proud
My God! Leigh"
With scornful smile on his lips, his
eyes dark with passion, Leigh Denver stood
before them, and at his side, her brilliant
face colorless, Maud Branksome
"Wlat is this man to you, Evelyn"
Leigh said. "What does this meanp"
Eyelyn's face had grown pallid.
"Answer me-" he said; 81 must know
the truth"
A shudder swept over her, but her pale
lips framed no answer.
81 will tell you," Maud Branksome said |
''He is her husband. saw them we'd"
A low cry rang from Evelyn's lips; the
man laughed aloud as Maud continued.
"Once another lady, two gentlemen and |
| sought shelter I'M church that stood con- |
Yeniently open, as If it knew a thunder |
storm would driYe us there. There was
marriage in the church at the time. dis |
tinctly saw the man coming down the aisle |
of the church where he had returned for
something forgotten; the woman or girl, for
she was only schoolgirl to all appearance,
did not see so plainly. In fact, | could
hardly judge which was she, for there were
two, and both had pale gold hair, were near
one size, slender and graceful; but enc of
them, could almost swear, was this lady
Evelyn Mannering."
sis this true?''
Passing Evelyn. Leigh faced the man.
SIS it true?" he repeated.
The man laughed.
81 never dispute ladYs word,' he said,
''You could not," Maud said slowly
You ,oere the man"
eyes, was the man. Have | denied
it?"
"And the woman was-,cho?" Leigh
said.
81 will leave that for Miss Mannering to
tell-or not, as she pleases," the man re-
piled.
Then without another word he turned
and left them.
Leigh sprung after him.
81 will choke the truth from you! he
said. II will know the worst"
"For Gods sakel let him gop' Evelyn
said, "for Gods sake and mine"
'For yours?" Leigh said, his voice un-
naturally calm, his face growing haggard in
the moonlight. ''For your sake, you ask
me to let him go? Evelyn, what is he to
you? Tell me this is all mad mistake,
and that he is nothing Make any ex-
planation you will and / will believe it,"
EYelyn's face was white as death.
"Can you do this?'' he said. "Can you
say he is nothing to you?"
God help me, nop' she answered.
God help you-no! Girl-grll do you
know what you have done? Wrecked a
amn's life, his hope, his faith in woman n
left his trust TO be trampled beneath his
feet. Evelyn, | have loyed you as woman
is seldom loved, anG yet pray to God l
may never look on your fair false face in
life again-you traitressp'
Then turning away he left hei.
A low, bitter cry rang from Evelyn's
lips, as she threw up her hands with pas
sion of despair, and fell unconscious at
Maud Branksome's feet