The Russellville Democrat., 1889-09-12

his nature. Yet his voice was tender and persuasive. Ho would mako har the happiest woman alive. She should not have single wish ungratifled nay. Leo himself should be the first to benefit by her sacrifice. He ventured. even under the burning scorn Of her eyes. to compare the boys love with his. Once more she imp.ored him, with a very agony of entreaty, but he was inexorable; there was only one condition. And so he left her. bidding her think it over.
 When she told Leo his rage for the moment overcame his despair. He called Standish by every name with which man can brand villain. Would he have his darling sacrificed to save himself ten thousand times deeper disgrace? But after the first passionate excitement, despair came crawling back. Disgraced. dishonored, was he nearer to his loveP Again he thought of making clean breast to his father. But that very night at dinner the Admiral had seemed out of 7ol g, and had darkly hinted at an un- lucky speculation into which he had been betrayed. Leo thought of his young brothers and sisters. Were they to be sacrificed to his criminal follyP An! he could call it by it's right name now. He and Stella sat with clasped hands and sorrowful eyes; they had never loved each other as they did now. Then in the night, us she lay half distraught with her trouble and Leo's, the instinct Of self-sacrifce which is in every good woman's nature, which has made heroines and martyrs of them so often, inspired her; and. with shudderings and tremblings, she resolved to save Leo even at the cost of her own misery and despair. With out a word or hint to Leo. she wrote Standish that if he would not have pity on her, knowing how she felt toward him, she must needs accept his cruel terms, since she loved her cousin more than aught else in the world. Would he, she wondered, still want to marry her after that?
 He took her at her word with joy and triumph. He would know how to guard her against Leo-against every man in Christendom; and he had all the fatuity common to lovers who be- lieve they can make woman love them. Even then Stella had hope that she would be able to creep out of her pcomise through some loophole; but Standish was far too clever for that. Leo had obtained weeks delay for the payment of his Goodwood losses. Before Standish handed over Stel- las purchase-money she must be his. She must go through the form of marriage with him at a registry office. He would then leave her free for two months, during which he was to appear to her family to woo and win her. He knew she was not of age, but he would hardly stick at such trihe as lie now. And Stella, with out word to Leo or any living soul.
 
 morning and married Standish, and received from him her price, t2, 900 in Bank of England notes. Her trembling hands placed them that night in Leo's. and he went half mad with delight and vowed that after all Standish was prince of good fellows and perhaps had only meant to give him fright for his own good. Stella held her peace. She could not, dared not tell him-not, at all events, until he had paid away the money. She knew well enough how he would fling it back in Standish's face, perhaps with blows and violence, did he but guess the truth. When Leo sought his deliv- erer, and, grasping his hand, poured forth all his gratitude with heartfelt emotion, Standish experienced sensa- tion that was not pleasurable.
 A few days later Stella's husband made formal demand for her hand of her uncle and aunt The good people were delighted. Mercifully for Stella, Leo had gone yachting with friend for three weeks Mrs. Grey could not make out why the girl was not over joyed at her wonderful fortune. Standish was lover in ten thousand; his settlements his gifts were prince ly. He did not trouble her with much love-making-he could afford to bide his time; but no woma; could have had more tender thought and consid- eration shown her. He was so kind that a wild hope flashed across her that perhaps. after all, he would set her free, for of late the fond affection she had formerly felt for Leo had grown into a madness of love that was eating her heart out. Suddenly one evening she turned to Standish, and in an agony of tears implored him to re- lease her. He bit his lip; dark red flush came into his face.
 What you ask is impossible, even fl l were wiling" he said; and then, in tone which was quite low, and yet which terrified her, he added: Do you know that you are mine now, and that l could take you away with me this moment if l choseP"
 As yet Leo was ignorant of Stella's en- gagement; she had made it point that he was only to be told by her own lips. An! what terrible telling it was on the evening when he came back, joyous and radiant from his cruise! The quivering aspen leaves which had listened to their former con fidences, had sad tale to tell after that night-of wild sobs, and impreca- tions and agony. Stella, his Stella, the wife Of Standish! free only at this mo- ment by his forbearancel
 The cruel days kept on, Leo and Stella trying hard to hide their wretch ,.,ft1 i,ss I