Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-01-19

CHAPTER XXI.--CoNTrNurn.
Tho dcspicablc moanneos Of his low trick.
oTy, trcachoiy, deceit and villainy appeared
IN so violent contrast with the nobieness,
simplicity and purity Of this guilcloss
creature that his now thoroughly awakened
sense Of honor positively forbade his taking
advantage Of tho opportunity fortune had
flung at his feet
IA TO Fairfax, so to Natalie, with tho
revelation OF her love, had come an accom-
panying revela ion-but of far-didcrcnt
character
Whom she pushed aside the curtain, sho
paused, not only because surprised at tho
sudden transformation in her friend: but
because his bent head, worried and wocfully
sad face and his figure, with the hands
claspod behind tho back, reminded her
forcibly Of some event or porson that sho
fcit convinced had entered into somo Of her
resent experiences.
She had no time 20 remember what or who
IL was; for her interest and distress as to
Fairfax's sorrowful domcanor drove all
other thoughts from her mind. Whcn, how
ever, he glanced up and that great wave Of
color had crossed his face, the resemblance
ogain struck her 80 forcibly that she put
her hand 10 her forchcad wish the words:
"Did dream iti Where have seen him
bcforoi Surely, ! havc-scen-ah, / rcnem-
Dor, nowl The old chateau, the Marchioness
and the ball that evening"
Like fash, tho sceno appeared before
her, with the clcarness Of inspiration. again
aho saw Lydia at the foot Of the staircase,
the young American standing dcjcctedly be-
side her, his head bent down, listening 70
her conversation; again she saw his look Of
surprise and flush Of embarrassment, when
H.. II. = l..
down tho steps with the old Marquis
A horrible suspicion arose in her mind.
Could this apparently innocent, noblc-hoart-
Cd follow (whom for the first time, she now
realized she .lovcd) have been playing fast
and loose with hcrl Acting tho role Of q
hypocritei II could not, must not DO true.
Yet, sick at heart, fniut under the burden
of the suspicion, she stepped forward, with
the cagerncs8 Of dcspair that knows tho
hour OF doom ia at hand, but seeks 10 flatter
itself into a belief to the contrary. Clasp
ing her hand5 and gazing earnestly iuto his
face, she exclaimed;
"NOu arc not Mons. Fairfax whom I sew
at the ball that evening" Oh say that you
are not tho man who has done this. Tel
me that you are VIVA. l believed you-hon.
orablo, truor'
Fairfax slolvlylified mp his head. An the
selfconviction had talion It's place. Quietly
no replied:
a can not lie to you.n
Shc sank back into a chair and put her
hands before her face 10 conceal her tears
and look Of bitter disappointment and re-
proach; and with such incfehle sadness
that Fairfax was completely overwhelmed
with rcmorsc. She said, between the soba
that she bravcly tried 20 otle:
"And trusted you sol'
Suddenly she arose, flung aside her tears
nnd disappointment and stood erect;
naughty, cold and cornmnnding. Any other
but Fairfax would have flinchcd under the
keen, contcmptuOus gaze.
''This must coasep' and. rs she spoke
the words fell in hard, unnatural metallic
tones.
Her chcelrs flushed with indignation, her
lip curled In scorn and command, her oyes
CLEANED with fire, and she looked every
inch tho child OF a royal race.
Fairfax forgot every thing totally, and
gazed In wrapt admiration at this gloriou,
being.
sThis must ceGsci You stand confessed
that you are the man through whose arts
am here. command you 10 release and re
turn me.n
.Whatw she continued, rs Fairfax stool
silently devouring her 40 it were, with hii
eyes. '.you refuse TO hocd. Know you moi
that the word Of tho Princess Radziwill, over
with her poars, Is law; and do YOU an info
rior, dare 10 hold her prisoner, Goln she
8oid, iinperiously, her facc now pallid witt
the strong emotion that rent her. Go
Tomorrow you win provide u way for my
roturnn
Fairfax. regaining his composure, with {
ly courtesy, by which even Natalie could moi
help being affected replied in those slow
calculating colorlcss, measured tones thai
he could adopt at viii;
'.Ihe Prlnceas Natalie forgcts that she /.
entirely In my control; that she has given
INC her written promise oven TO mediate M
esoapc, while freedom is allowed her. / d,
lipt deny that abducted you; stole you from
your home; that impcrled your life, my
life, your happiness, my own happiness and
that Of 70 family; that riskcd all; throw
evcsy thin into the balance. Including my
own moral perceptions Of right and wrong
my training as the son OF a Caiistian ron,
tleman, oyerbore my conscientious scruples
--ali 10 succeed Ia my plans. That love
you, you know But that have loved you
over since that blessed hour when first
behold you at The wayside pool in Brittany
you 90 hoN hiluNs ~ was VINO lOuilQ and
returned your lost l.nife. !, too, am tho
ruilty author and executor Of the abduc
lion You know how well have succeeded
Can you deny that you feel an intercat IN
mcl WIN you say that am nothing TO YOU
have never loved you more than do now
have neyer folt your worthncss and my
own unworthiness, yillainy and hypocrisy
more than 1 do now my wickedne5s Ia i'm.
nlsinn upon the confidence and innocence OF
one 20 Tar above me in purity and poblancsl
OF lie. You know what | am. ! make NO
excuse, no apolugy My offonse Is too gross
oven 60 allow OF ON apology. All say a.
lovod yon nfd knew wcil that no plobeian
could dreom Of winning your affections
mnch less, your hand On the eyo OF ms
departure 10 America, this plan suggested
itaelf T., mo. hung about me like night
mare, until, unable 10 rid myself 9f u,
YIELDED, with this result"
NDut,n continued he, syou, yourself must
acknowledge that you have been treated
kindly, that yorr timo has passed pleasant
~ aud that vor never were happior. How
cvof, am 40 crucl jollcr and WIN prove my
love ~ giving up nll my hopes forevor-
since that u your wish Tomorrow you
shall 90 N0n mRY blame me, but never n1
tnferely "a shell myself leave you and
nha|l troup'o you b 3 more
~ aag'nR before she could prevent him,
~ t1iltlg TOOL her hilnl Ia bls aud. bending
farNaI.I. fanflled lt qshiiy % MS ilps
H||4||4 IA IL Az. TIC uUI sent tho nIno0