Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-08-15
CHAPTER IL,

plashing. riplets; mass of jagged black
rocks. with the last rays of sunlight CLINT
ing upon their bald tops. and gnarled
branches overreaching low. fern-tufted
banks, to dip in the peaceful water.
Imagine this, and you have the picture OF
the little lake at The Crag." Then imagine
tiny. prettily painted canoe. with young
woman at either end. and q gentleman
fairly dividing his attention between his
companions and the skillful management
of the slender oars.
Now you have Miss Illerton, her cousin
and Arthur Cover.
They had been floating lazily on. with
barely word now and then to break II
stiffness almost painful, until they neared
the dangerous Black Rocks: then the little
wherry became entangled in the stealthy
current and veered with n treacherous
lurch-a lurch sharp enough to fling one
OF the women backward. aud dangerous
enough to startle Arthur into IL singularly
awkward betrayal of emotion.
The little form had barely swayed when
the gentleman, with a hoarse cry. sprang
forward.
"Caral My God. Claral"
That was all he said; yet. when he re-
membered himself, he was holding Clara
VOlney in his arms.
rs she hurt2"
The voice was Miss Illerton's, and now
Arthur Cover remembered too, that the
woman whom he should marry was beside
him.
Are you hurt. Christine?" he asked,
flushing holly as his arms fell from Clara.
Not at all, thank you"
Nor am /, protested her cousin, laugh
ing nervously. only frightened. 1t was
so sudden, you see"
Yes. it was sudden. certainly" acquiesced
Miss Illerton; Sudden and pleasant"
This extraordinary assertion remained
uncontradicted, for not another word was
spoken until the boat was being made fast
to the low. quantity contrived landing of
roughly hewn logs: then. as Miss lllerton
stepped upon this rustic platform. Arthur
Cover touched her hand. detainingly.
What Is the matter. Christine?" he ven
tured
Why. what should be the matterP" And
now. affecting to notice for the first time
his awkward hesitation, she continued,
smilingly. MY dear boy, just put that oar
in its proper place. will your Then follow
US up to the house as quickly us possible.
Those people will be there"
Those people" were city friends who en-
joyed amazingly frequent visits to The
Crag, and to welcome them now hastened
the hospitable mistress OF the old manor
house. leaving Mr.. Cover in most painful
state of anxious doubt and self convicted
treachery.
4
Christine Illerton was not woman OIL
half measures. That night she entered heI
cousins chamber, and without ado put
this straightforward question:
How long has this been going on?"
Tell me. 1 wish the truth; wish yo,
to be frank"
why, what do you mean2" asked Clara
yot never looking up.
You understand me. How long has thi.
been going on between you aDd-and-tht
the man whom intend to marry?"
At this Clara lifted her head and looked
ut her cousin with innocent. fearless eyes.
You do not mean to accuse us of any
thing like Irritation. l hope" she said
proudly.
"Oh. no." was Miss Illerton's cool re.
sponse: Il acquit you OF that. There has
been no Irritation; but there has been
great deal of intensely earnest love-mak.
ing. That knowledge was forced upon mt
this afternoon. remember
"Ah. Christine!"
And here this young woman displaye,
woeful ignorance OF the first principles o
feminine strategy; for. instead of uurotl,
maneuvering, carefully rl"rshalng her re
plies. and skilfuIiy defending all veal
points OF her false position from the un
spariDs vigilance of that kecn-eyed sharp
creature only hid her face in her hands
and. 'twixt piteous sobbings. proclaime,
her ignominious overthrow.
All. cousin--ah Christine!"
Instead of calling my namc in that utter
lylncomprehensible manner, you would d.
better TO answer my question:" suggeste,
Miss lller!on. How long has Arthur Cove
loved you?"
| never knew tnat he loved me, protest
cd the offender.
Yet he told it very plainly this after
noon. and l was present. ii you recollect."
christine. dear Christinol" Clara wa
standing now. not weeping. but speakin,
with low. impressive eagerness. AS live
never before has he said as much as that
never before has he uttered ono word tha
you might not have heard-never Chris
tine, cousin!"
DO you tell me this upon your honorf"
Upon my honor"
But you love him. of course. There, yo,
need not turn away. Keep your secret
child. Only remember this. that you ar,
willfully walking to moral destruction 70
l shall certainly marry the man you love
Goodnight. dear"
What does it matter to me2 Why shoul,
l care If she breaks her heart Tor him
DO care? Not l." protested Miss Illerton
as she sauntered slowly to her OWE room
an hour later. after i'm awkward leave tax
ing with Mr.. Cover. They make their ow
misery. That which is not worth askin
is not worth having, surely. She s IA 100
but he is coward; so. after all. l save he
from wretched fate"