Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1888-01-14

Sne, Win bucn IOfiOfn ginnce nb once
more reduces him to q forgetfulpess Of
self, and t6 the old passionate regret for
her.
"It Is kind. II my cruelty can rescue
you from the Slough Of Despond into
which you now are drifting II Is more
than kind. What! will you live out all
your fresh young life without joy-all
hopei Nadine, impl0rc you to pause"
sit Is too late" She lays her palms
:spOn her bosom and regards him with
blanclied cheeks "Oh! II had only met
you sooner; hut now-now''-
"Your worls sre an Acknowledgements Of
your love for me" cries he, eating his
arms about her. "I will surrender you
TO no man. Nadine! Belovedi do not
shrink from iie-tlo not seek TO unioosc
my arms"
IL must" soba she vchcmently.
"Iiave not told you that oil this comes
too late, IL am to be married In fort
night"
/ IL Is his turn 20 shrink, to pale. He
opens his arms instinctivcly, and let's her
draw back from him with quivering lips,
and trembling limbs that almost refuse 70
support her.
II will not believe IT," he says at Inst
hoarscly. "a fortnight To give your
self body and soul to one for whom you
are caring nothing-in q fortnight
Child! Darling! Say II Is not true.''
~ canHotv' She has buried her facc
In her hands.
"And that Is woman's honor-a
woman's honesty" says he, pacing to
and fro upon the mossy sward with n
disturbed brow, and lips storm and COM
pressed. DO you think this man will
thank you for the empty caskct you are
offering him! The body without the soul
would be to me worthless. Who shall
say he does not think as dor Come
stopping short before her and gazing at
her fxedly-"tell me the name Of this
city clerk who stands between us: n
you will do nothing toward the untying
Of knot that ma: ruin three lives,
will"
"Paul Annerley"
'But do not pursue this matter" she
says eagerly, going step or two nearer
to him and laying her hand upon his
arm. ''Do not, implore you!'
~ shall pursue It until the iniquitons
words are said that will bind you 10 him
for life," replies he doggedly. Nay"
grasping her hand rs she turns hopclcssly
away from him, ''do not think me un-
kind, my love; II Is for your happiness rs
for my own strive"
"lf indeed, you desire my happiness. ="
cries she, risking all things In her long.
ing to save him from vengeance that
some instructive knowledge teaches her
will be deadly, "abstain from interven.
ton OF any sort. Do not seek Paul An
me marry him. Believe me. there Is no
hope!"
He might perhaps have misjudgcd her.
and have believed her already welded in
heart 10 Annerley, but for her cOnclud-
ing words. But these, and the mclan-
choly light in her large eyes, rcassure
him OF the truth that In reality she il al
together his. There is, however, so keen
sense OF wcarincss In her attitude and
expression that he resolves on rcfraining
from further argument.
"well," he says, with an attempt nt
lightncss that does not deceive her Two
have said enough for to-day, and yOu look
tired. Come, let me take you home.
Remember there will be large addition
to our party tonight, and OF course you
will like TO look your best"
az will go back TO the house when y0u
have promised mo one thing" returns
she steadily; "that you will not seek
Paul Annerlcy for four days from this.
Give me these four days"
She is trembling with excitement, and
!cr eyes ARE full OF tears that will not be
rcprcssc,l. Four dayI To.dny--to- NOR
row; these two cannot bc avoided. Were
she 10 leave now, before to-ni.ht's din.
ner-that Is but q herald Of tomorrow
nights ball, when Capt Boyle IL cx.
pected, 10 grace his own birthday enter
tainment-it would DO regarded as moth.
ing less than an act OF discourtesy by her
kindly hostess. but the day after she
might leave; Paul by that time will
surely he returned to town-and her lbit-
ter thought 9-and she can easily ~ man
age rs TO prevent meeting between him
and Mr.. Duran.
The four days you crave ARE yours, "
replies Duran gravcly, noting the fever
in her eyes. "Sow. In turn, conccdc me
u qualification. Let me accompany you
back to the park"