Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-04-19
Dorothy said quietly, and then, with

went out Oh the TOolu
Half an hour later, perhaps, the po-
sitions OF the actors in the drama were
changed again. Sir Peter had gone
into the smoking-room, and all such
guests as were not staying in the
house had tal.en their departure.
Elvira Beauchamp. by one OF her
adroit movements, had gained Eber-
hard's side.
"You look like thunder cloud"
she said saucily. care you meditating
murder. may l askp"
MAY ask how much longer you
contemplate playing fast and loose
with two strings TO your bowl" he re-
turned grimly. 1T may be very
amusing for you, but"
death to you. Is that itp"
ut would be that, verify believe
death, or something less prefer
able" in slow passion-fraught tones.
81 contemplate nothing" the CO.
quettc said impatiently. IL am the
sport of fate, rs | told you before; l
shall just DO thrown in the direction
it chooses"
II was told this evening that you
intended TO marry Ruskin."
II have often been told that l am
going 10 marry YOU" she laughed.
"Make it true.
His hands clasped hers with vice
like pressure. She WINGED and laughed.
IL am not prepared for any ex:reme
measure yet"
"Elvira, you told me you loved me-"
Hoarse and unsteady his voice be-
came.
Il tell you it again; l love you, Eb-
erhard, and you alone
Then marry me at once"
"And S arve. mo; not starve. be-
cause they would feed me in prison,
where | should certainly find myself.
Eberhard, you must have common
sense. II we could find anyway
of paying my horrid dcbts-Sir Peter
won d do it, verify believe, if l asked
him. but
You shall not ask him. Would you
stoop 10 anything OF that kindP"
His face was as white as death.
Il don't s'oop; | am knocked down
by fate Miss Beauchamp returned
easily. by the way. dear, did you
make that application to your uncle?"
II did" grimly; land with the re-
suit anticipated, OF course Here is
his letter. He absolutely refuses to
lend me one farthing."
LET me look at what he says"
She took the letter from him and
scrutinized IT eagerly, moving little
nearer the light as she did SO.
What curious handwritingw she
said. ii think | will keep it, II you
will let me, Eberhard. l like odd
specimens of oaligraphy."
by all means keep it," negligent'y,
but then in quickened tone he said:
What are you going to give me for
it. Evirap"
What do you think it is WORTH"
coquettishly, uplifting her lovely face.
Nothing could be worth such re-
ward. but | ask for kiss. my dar-
ling"
You are very bold. sir" She
glanced round, and no one was able TO
see, so she smiled at him. My
hands. suppose, you mean?" up-rais.
ing the pretty little jeweled fingers.
You know otherwise"
He stopped boldly and pressed his
lips on hers, and she did not rebuke
him; she almost returned the caress,
and then she tripped away lightly, in
differently, as if it were nothing TO
her, this kiss which meant so much to
him; and gloomily he stood there
thinking, long after Elvira had left
him:
1T is folly-it is madness-it is an
impossibility, this love of mine; and
yet | cannot give her up" he said. ii
could sooner part with my life"
A touch on tho shoulder broke his
reverie, and the object of his thoughts
stood beside him.
There was slightly troubled en-
preston in the beautiful eyes as they
were lifted earnestly TO his, a slight
culver upon the lovely lips as Elvira
said softly:
"Did you mean your words just now,
EberhardP Would you indeed do any
thing for mep"
Anything in the power of man to
do
He drew her to him as his eyes gaz-
cd devotedly into hers, and his voice
thrilled in its utterance.
would you bear any hing for my
sake mean, bear anything to make
me happy"
"My darling. yes"
Then you arc better, nobler than
man ever was before" she said with
emotion in her voice and something
suspiciously like tears in her eyes.
The next moment she was in his arms,
folded close 10 his heavily beating
heart while his kisses fell like rain
upon her bright dark hair. II love
you-oh, Eberhard, / do love you!'
she murmurel. You are better TO
me than | deserve"
MY love-my darling! BE true.
be patient, Elyira, my own, and surely
we shall conquer our difficulties. Love
must conquer fate.
Nothing could kill your love for