Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1889-12-21


and if you have been too powerfully
attracted by this young beauty's
charms, I know 1 need only to mem
tion the fact of her parentage being
unspeakably base and disgraceful." |"
Somerset brooded gloomily over
the irony of fate, which had pre-
vented his knowing the terrible
truth until he had learned to love
Theo. Lorne with all the passion
and strength of his young manhood.
The endearing young creature had
crept into his affections unawares,
and had entwined herself round his
very heartstrings.
To relinquish Theo. now would be
like tearing that living heart from
his bosom.
Pride was as much an element Of
his being as the blood in his veins;
but so also was his love for Theo the
very breath of his life.
Never until he met her had he
thrilled at the sight of a woman's
face, the touch of a wOman's hand,
the sound of a woman's voice.
And now, between the might of
his pride and the power of his love,
waged fearful warefare which half
him.
"a marriage of that kind is worse
than foley" said stern pride; lit is
Il sin-an actual Iniquity 1t is a
blot upon an unsoiled name; 1t is
misery for an entire family; and
their misery could not help being
an unceasing sorrow and humilia
ton to my poor bride. I must give
you up, my Theo-I must renounce
my love-"
And then his mood would change.
His whole soul would plead for his
love.
How could he renounce his Theo?
his adorable darling, with her
dainty graces, her endearing per-
fections of loveliness in mind and
manner?
"Is not my darling more to me
than all else?" love said to him.
"Is she not dearer to me than the
whole world and all the whole,
wide world contains? What would
my life be without my Theo? And
have not wooed her as suitors WOO?
Then, If 1 have gained the pre-
cious treasure of woman's affections,
should I not be the basest thing on
Gods footstool to turn from her for
what is no fault of hers? And, be-
sides, the evil of her parents may
have been exaggerated"
Somerset's perplexity and distress
were not lessened as the days
elapsed, and he strove to hold aloof
from his beloved one.
Sometimes, when he would pass
Theo by with seeming indifference,
she would lift her lovely, violet eyes
with u look of gentle and surprised
inquiry, which hurt him like a
sword-thrust In his bosom.
Sometimes, when he was seeking
a brief oblivion from pain, in the
vapid and effusive chatter of Miss
Claudia Hurne, he would feel his
glance Of innocent won-
der, and rush away unceremonious-
ly, that he might not betray the
torment of his soul.
His torture had finally become
Pride would not yield,
and love would not be vanquished.
On this day he stood watching
Theo as she strolled beneath the
trees on the rivers low bank, until
a turn of the path shut her from
his view.
Only half consciously he started
as II to follow her.
Just then there were velvety foot
steps on the turf just behind, there
was a silky swish Of an elegant
sarcelle plush tea-gown against the
unclipped shrubbery along the
walk, and then Miss
Hurne stepped beside him.
"Oh, please don't leave now," said
Claudia. Everybody is waiting for
you in the upstairs parlor; We are
10 have readings for an hour or two"
Somerset had never noticed what
had long been conspicuously patent
TO everv guest of the MoSsclitfe
house that Miss Hurne was per-
petually intriguing to exhibit him
as her willing captive. subject to her
slightest caprice.
Claudia Hurne was a dazzling
brilliantly accomplished
IN the art of discoursing amusing
nonsense.
In the art Of dressing she was also
IN adept, and she was skilled In all
he polished artifice and charming
Irickery of the ultra-fashionable
irawing-room.
Her old admirers regarded her as
, honianp,a xynrlily.uiaa yann0