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

the praise and half decries &c; the lovely
kissable mouth, that would fain say,
tam I not good TO look at, dear, my
lover" yet breads 20 say II; the bent, yet
proud little head, the tender, longing
smile, all appeal 70 him. His hand closes
upon hers. She Is his at this moment,
whatever other forlorn times the years
may hold for him and her, and with the
eager hand clasp he leads her forward to
where the lamps shine clearcst-to where
all may see how fair his love can be.
He turns TO make some gay remark to
Millicent, still holding Madness hand,
but u glance at Miss Grey's face checks
him. She has grown positively livid.
She was full Of laughter Just q minute
ago, but now mirth has died from her and
her lips are ail set and stern, her color
CHASTITY.
Take her away-anywherc Into the
next rO0m," she says In tone Of sup
pressed but passionate command to Du-
ran. There Is no need for him to ask to
whom she alludes-hep eyes are rivcted
upon Madness neck, where the sapphire
pendant Is resting calmly. Duran, who
Is man quick TO understand, sccnting
danger In the air for her. he loves draws
Nadine aside and presently takes her out
Of the room. A little too late, however.
Mrs. Brand too had seen and recognized
the sapphircs!
The guests have all arrived, the ball Is
at Its height. Yet still the hero OF Il Is
absent. There IN, however, n midnight
train that will In NIL probability bring
him.
at must. lie has never failed me yet, I"
says Lady valworth, with rather wan
smile, who Is feeling hurt and disap-
pointed.
Milliccnt. who has been going about with
nervous distressed air all the night has
been regarded rs model fiancee by all
her world. Plainly, she In fretting for
her recreant lover. She has more feeling
than they had given her credit for. She
Is not the heartlcss, soullcss creature they
had imagined! Yet her thoughts have
never wandered TO Grant; they have
been conferred on the pretty, happy crca-
ture, who, with the stolen sapphires
lying on her bosom, has been blissfully
unconscious Of the gathering storm that
Is 80 soon to break upon her.
Duran had made Il first care to learn
the cause Of Miss Grcy's desire TO get rid
OF Nadine as soon ms her glance fell upon
told since by Aiiliiccnt had led him Mt once
to knowledge Of the truth. lie was al.
ready aware Of the suspicion about tho
diamond cross worn by Nadine the night
before. II Is now impossible to him to
disbclicvc but that this lover Of Nalinc's
this Paul Anncrlcy-had something to
do with the robbcrics both Of tho tlia-
monds from Valworth, and the famous
sapphires from Park lane. IL this be
true! II this be provedl He IL angry
with himself for the wild thrill OF joy
that rushes through every pulse. ms this
thought suggests itself and takes root
within his breast. II II prove true!
Why then Nadine will he free! This
man, Anncrlcy, will be compelled to tly
from the face Of the law. and she will lie
left behind for him-Duran-and for
Lowell
But then the shame to hcr' The
awakening to the sorrow OF her lovers
infamy. Sooner or later IL must he told
to her, but should the task be left to rude
tongues who had no love for her; A
thousand times no. BE the man falsely
suspected. or he he In reality the one
who has stolen the Jewels, II Is impossi-
bic that Nadine should be left tn learn OF
tho suspicion resting upon him from
strangers. Iic--will tell her.
He has led her into n small conscrvn-
tory leading of the tea room, which,
being rather public. has been deserted
by those DESTROYS " uttcring or hearing
tender passages. The upper end Of IL,
overlooking In daytime garden be.
meath, ~ quite removed from the gaze OF
those In the room outside, and Duran, rs
Nadine sinks upon low couch, seats
himself beside her.
A dim lamp, shaded to snb,.ued pink,
sheds warm but indistinct light
around. The perfume OF the dying roses
fills tho mir. From far away the music
comes TO thcm--rising, falling. swelling,
faintlng, until all the night seems full
Of It.
Nadine. STOPPING toward him, lays her
hani on his.
"You are troubled" she says. softly.
~ can see it In your eyes. Something is
making you sorry"
Her eyes, deep and brilliant rs stars,
are looking monrnfully into his. lie
possesses himself Of the hand she has
held ont to him. believing him In trouble,
and holds II fast.
at II true. There Is pcrp,cxity in my
heart, and suspicion Of coming sorrow,
but II is for you." he answers. gently.
"For me" a little startled look erccps
into her lovely face.
''Tcll me-tcll me exactly. says Duran.
leaning forward so that he can see her
face more clearly: "tcll me. for yorr own
sake. how yOu became the posscssor ut
that sapphire heart that lies upon your
neck
"What u strange question" cries she,
paling at was given met was pres
cnt from Paul Anncrlcy.
Sand the diamond cross you wore last
night-hc gave you TINT also;
eye: he gave me both. 81 has grown
very white. and her lnrge eyes ere filled
with n painful uncertainty. "Why do
you question me about thcm%" she says.
"ls II strange that ! should have such
pretty things. did not want thcm-I
dn not care for them. hut why Is II
stranger
"Thc strangeness does not lie In your
having Them" returns Duran. still hold.
ing her hand fast, though she had tried
10 take Il from him. at lies In the fact
that this Paul Annerlcy gave them to
you."
"whcrc did he get thcm''
an. cxpliun yOhrSeii' iihpio'ts she,
rising 10 her feet and drawing back from
him. "Yonr face. yonr voire. betray
you! There IL something terrible yet to
be said. Say it,
"Thcrc isihis, says Duran, rising also.
"Thc diamond cross you wore last night
was stolen from lady Nalworth; the sap
piircs you wear tonight ARE part Of the
sapphire set that was taken from Miss
Grey In Park lanc"'
CHAPTER XX.
A silence. intense. horror stricken, fol-
lows on his words. Miss Roche has fallen
hack from him, and Ii now leaning
against the wall. with her hands claspcd
upon her bosom. and her eyes, large and
afTrighfcd. fixed on his
"Stolcn" she says. the words coming
with difficulty through her white Inns.