Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-03-09

that she had discovered the whole plot
She remembered how Vanc had refused to
enter the farmhouse, how strangely he
behaved. and how i'll he had looked. She
saw it all now. lie had loved this beauti-
iul dark-c!cd girl!
"Ahd lie would marry me for nv
wealth." she added to herself. al have
been duped, betrayed, and deceived. [
have been insulted-and no Audley is in
suited twice. l will wait for him here
and part from him here. Let him keep
the village beauty he has wonE
She stood erect in her indignant scorn.
too angry just then to feel any pain. too
indignant 10 feet any pity. With Ditiless.
eyes and 4 White set face she saw him kiss
the girl again.
Those are the same lips that kissed mo
yesterday" she said TO herself. "llen are
traitors ~
She saw them walk hand in hand to the
white gate which gave access to tie high
road. There he kissed her again, and he
stood unit! she had vanished from sight,
hidden by "A turn c. the road.
There was a smile on his face as he re-
turned, and Lady Lilias heard "A snatch of
some gay lovc-song. Both song and smile
died away rs he saw her standing there,
white, silent, and motionlcss, her face full
of indignant scorn, and the passion-now-
ers III her hand.
"Lilias ~ he cried.
Then Il great fear came ever him, and
the two stood looking in silence AT each
other. She was the first to break it. lie
came nearer TO her, but she held up her
hand to stop him.
"Not one word" she said in q low stined
v~oice-"not a single wOrdv'
"Lilias ~ he cried.
"Hush-silence-not one word! know
al. You will never dupe nor deceive Inc
again. know who that girl il, and why
you kissed her. How have you dared so
20 mislead meY"
Aud VaDe when he heard those words,
al know ALL" believed at once that she
knew that Kate was his sister. that she
knew the story OF his humble birth and ae-
cused him Of deeeiving her because he had
never told it. But Lady Lilias had no sus-
picion OF the truth, and believed that he
was in love with Kate.
"Lilias, will you l~isten?" he began.
All the pride and anger Of her nature
were aroused, and shone in her face as she
answered.
ono, / will not listeni have no wish
to hear why you have deceived me; and
we part this hour, never in lifo to meet
again. Have you deceived me or not?-
Speak truthfully."
IL have" he said, his head dropping on
his brenst. al have deceived you but
listen, Lilias."
81 will not" she answered, her pale faes
flashing scorn and defiance. al forgot much
when | promised TO marry you, and you
have repaid me by deceit. You see these
passion-lcsyers? Coming along, / gathered
them for you. See how | destroy themL-
She tore them into shreds and threw them
upon the ground. ain the same way
tear from my heart all traces Of love for
You. | take back my promises. You have
deceived me-gov'
"For Heavens sake, Lilias, Iistcnl I
meant to tell yoH. | would not have mar
ried you without"
81 refuse To listen 10 another word"
she said. "Youa add insult to injury. DO
you suppose l should have listened TO such
u story
They still misunderstood each other
She was speaking of his supposed hove for
the girl and lac believed that she WAS speak-
Ing Of his having concealed from her the
story of his birth.
81 could have forgiven you anything but
this" size Went on bitterly-"anything
rather than deceit. We part now, and 1
bid you farewell"
~ feared il would be so. Oh, Lilias,
can you not see why | dared no tell sou;
1 feared you would send me away"
~ can only think you mad" she said
|scornlully. "Onc hour ago 1 thought yoa
4 gentleman, a man OF honor-trutlfui-
noble. Now / know you to be Il traitor
90"
"Iou viii not hear me, Lilias?"
81 will not. \ icw false spccious words
from you cannot make tic forget what /
have scen-wAat / know. HeneoforWagd
we are as strangers"
GA condemned man is allowed to speak"
he pleaded.
"a condemned man is not always n
traitor. Ii You had, in the heat OF anger,
tried TO stay me, / would have forgiven il.
Coid-Diooued WIAul deceit 4 can never par
don"
Iio raised hi, miserable face to hers.
81 see. OF course you could never par
don it. | va mad. have been ia Para
disc; now | 20 10 utter darkness and de-
spair. lsu are Right Is MAS presulnptu-
Gus Madness"
She seemed surprised at bis words, not
quite Understanding them.
"Ds net hate me il lou cycr think Of me-"
he entrested in a low broken voice. 0Rt-
membe only that 1 sA4ll love you with my
dying breath"
"Gooa-Dye," she said proudly, as she
turned away leaving AIln there tlons.
'oae aid net see LusrJ he went 10 the spot
whore she mad stood, and, kneeling, Kissed
the long grass that her feet had touched
1t was ali over, ho thought. The darkness
aud chill =. death and ucsolati0n had fallen
over him, aud the light oil heaven sAsno
over him no more.