The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-05-24

His eyes took In the whole quet pretty
scene-the clean blue and white tiled floor
the glitter OF the brass pots and pans, the
dusky walnut-wood presses, the old oak
chairs and trestles, and above all, the quie
little figure leaning 50 listlessly back in hel
seat, with tho spotless head-gear and blue
kirtle of tho picturesque Norman dress.
He stayed an instant on the threshold. As
his step paused and his shadow fell she
started from her listlcss attitude Sho went
to meet him swiftly, her eyes shining wei,
come, her lips smiling, her face upraised foi
the kiss that never failed to greet her. Blu
she met II look that drove the blood back t,
her heart with deadly sckcning fear. She
covered back, her arms fell to her side, hel
slight frame trembled, her bright girisl
beauty changed into shamed and shrinking
som blGnce Of the guilt he sought and the feal
he dreaded. He looked at her in silence fol
o moment.
"Is this thing true?"
The words wero fow and storm, but they
pierced to her heart with a terror she coult
not conceal. Her head dropped on hel
breast; she stretched out her hands to hin
in piteous appeal.
"Pierre, what have you heard2 What dc
you mean2"
A sharp caustic laugh left his lips.
"You can ask that-you own words con
denim you."
She looked at him with wide appealing
eyes; her lips quivered like the lips of 6
grieved child.
UTndand ipdaad you vvron0 ma Sho cried
81 have done nothing very faulty; L"
The attempt at extenuation fired his who Il
soul with fury.
"Answcr me-" he cried, seizing her ir hi:
arms and gazing down at the pale, fright
cnod, quivering face, with eyes whose pas'
sion and wrath struck fresh terror to hel
heart. ANSWER me-you whom l loved, anc
deemed fairest, purest, truest among womer
whom do you seek when you steal from
my sight ut dead of night, like u thing OF
guilt and shame? Who is it you love so well
that you risk reputation, honor, peace, fol
his sake? Oh, Heaven, that should have tc
ask it'll Oh. lovel Oh, wifol say it is false
look in my face as you looked but few shori
hours ago, and l will curse myself that my
lips have wronged you by even the utteranc'
OF q doubt"
The wild impetuous words poured out theii
prayer unchecked, unstayed ; but with all the
agony she suffered, with all the yearning fol
his trust-his faith-that thrilled her to hel
hearts core, she could not yield to his prayer
or answer tho cntreaty.
"Who has told you this?"
Tho pale lips, the shrinking form, were moi
those OF innocence. tempest OF fury shooL
him once more.
SIS this all you say?" he cried In his tor
ture. care you then what that woman called
you--beautiful, seductive, tempting-a trait
ress to honor and to womanhood?"
II am mono ofthese," she flashed out scorn
fully, stung by reproach so great, by calumh.
| so vile.
"Nonel Then why not refute the charge
Why not answer what 1 ask? A word-but
one worlds all need. Have you stolen
out at night and sailed down the river tC
meet some man-some lover, as l heard
Yes, or no? Nay, do not shrink; 1 will have
the truth now if track your paramour to hi,
hidden lair and force it from him with my
knife at his throat"
A change passed over her face and stole al
its warmth and bloom till it looked like tn,
grayness of death. He saw it, and his voict
rang out timploringly: "Oh. my love, l frighter
you; forgive me, you know love you. Yot
know the upraised voice Of all tho worlC
would never make me believe i'll OF you. VIII!
do you torture me soP word, one littl'
word, is all need; word you can utter 81
easily.
Heaven help me, cannot"
The faint imploring cry broke from he
white lips involuntarily. She hid her face il
her hands and burst into passion of wild
agonized weeping. Ho who loved her so
who would have east the very shadow of grie
! or suffering from her path could he hav'