The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-10
CHAPTER XVI.

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in that direction, and throw into brilliant
relief the white clad figures darling t'
and fro upon the tennis ground
Gerald AIassarocne, having lost hl'
game. nings his racket TO the winds, ant
throws himself prone at the feet of Ma
/ dine Roche.
pretty place, eh'" says he. "Sooth
ing to the ncr-cs after the town fcverT
Then looking al her and marking the cx
IRENE repOsc OF her bearing, that almost
borders upon lassitude, he says gently
"Tircdy'
"NO.'i
She brightcrs up with IN effort and
smiles ~ him in her kindcst fashion.
Her thoughts ore tangled-hcr mind per
turbed Both are far from the busy
scene before her. 4 sense OF despair, oil
inability TO moyo in The path that
stretched cut so tcmptingly to her view
/ has saddcnod her eyes and gwen q
mournfm curve 10 her heautiiuLmouih.
| Her DAYS pa <sed here with Maurice Duran
have been infinitely sweeter TO her than
ever she had dreamed they might be. The
very noarness Of their companionship hac
/ had lis charm. and though no word OF
love had come from his lips. iill' eyes
can speak when words are forbidden; ana
Z though honor renders one dumb, who can
prevent the sense of gladness that comes
/ with the touch Of one beloved,
Sweet daysl too sweet ~ last-and
swift as sweet \ whole fortnight mas
/ gone bv-two weeks crowded with such
excui.itc recollections as will (unhap-
nilv clino to her for all her life. And
/ now il is the lGih-tO morrow VIII De the
night Of the grand ball, given III honor oi
/ Can't. Boyles birthday, who IS expected TO
arrive about an hour before II opens.
and then Another cruelty blisSl III
week, perhaps, and after that return .l,, 10
town, and-a hurried wedding Iheh
exile from all that has made NE not only
endurablc but perfect.
sometimes a thought Of Paul Annerley
has crossed her mind. but, as n rule, she
has rcs0lutciy put all remembrance 81
him far from her She had told herself
that this one holiday at least should be
her own. Afterward let oblivion, let mis-
cry come. but just for these few happy
DAYS She would let utter JOY hold sway.
She had heard nothing of her future nus
band since her departure, and II al tunes
IL had occurred TO her rs strange that ne
had not written to her from those Tor
eicn cities whittier his search Of the rob
Der Of the famous sapphires led him, the
sense Of relief in not having TO write 10
him swallowed up all such wonder.
How should / feel tircd?' she says
now. smiling al Gerald Massareene, who
has become quite friend Of hers.
lie has found in her an ally-a certain
partisan. who derdes the notion OF Mill
cents ever conserving TO fulfill her love
less engagement TO Capt. Boyle WINE
her heart is given 10 another. That o'hci'
now stretched at the pretty partisan. :
feet. is quite willing TO accept her read
ing Of the situation. Though Miiilceh'
herself has been somewhat difficult "a
understand, a little vague in her answers
. irfe willful. in a dceNec-a marie"
degrcc-avcrsc to being brought 10 IN
Doinr. still Mr.. Massarccnc Is inclined 4,
believe in the c.ccd Of his pretty coniidaniC
when She declares herself ready to Giiirn
publicly her belief in the cOnstancy of M
fair, if rather trying, love.
"Wcll. I'm clad you are not, says nc
pleasantly, abiding to her assertion tina
she knows no fatigue. "Io-nigh
there will be an influx Of guests, or
dcred, like the supper, for tomorrow
night, and it would not 60 to be III poo
form. You look pale, however.
care manv cOmingsr Enough e
make rs put Oh our best bib and tucker
and our choicest manners. lou VII
have TO make your very best bow TO IN,
IL. - q
smri at Il youthful if very famous gen
cral. The only thing TO be careful aDou'
is not 10 ovcrdo il tonight; TO remember
that the morrow will bring the big
Nautch. and to reserve some smiles foi
ihe hero Of the hour
lie speaks with some bitterness.
ITO morrow night will bring Capt.
Boyle She looks ut him softly out o.
her serene eyes. DO not let that make
yOu unhappy His prescnce means les
than nothing. Indeed, | Belieye it vii.
DO your cause good
sweet prophetcss' | would | dared
share your creed
what crecds" asks Duran, who Ia.
joined them unseen.
"a belief Miss Roche has in the I'M.
comparable power OF love- replies Mas
sarccnc gayiy, springing TO his feet ana
crossing the close turf to where he car
see Millicent standing, for once. alone.
And 50 yoo believe in loves omnipo-
tcncy,' says Duran, gazing at Nadine
with calm searching eyes. Your?
There is surprise in your tone-and
doubt Why should | not hold such
creedin returns she steadily, though her
lips have grown very pale.
Il cannot answer that here VIII you
come with me 10 the Firwoody ! shall
not keep you long, aud must speak 10
You. DO not refuse me, Nadine. This j.
probably the last hour we shall ever have
together. | leave the park the day after
tomorrow
She had shrunk little from him when
first he appealed to her, but rs his plead
ing grew stronger, more impassiOncd, she
rose. With her eyes downcast, and her
color faded to a pallor that bespoke an
anguished heart, she moved beside him
10 the wood he had mentioned.
Presently they enter It, The eternal
greenness of il stirs her blood once more
TO an admiration that rouscs her and
compels her return To the immediate
present. Ever since she had obeyed his
word, and risen and followed him hither
she had been in kind of waking dream
that had been too sweet to permit her
desire for its dissolution. Now, however.
that she is fully awake TO her danger as
well as to her pain, II is too late TO with
draw from n tete-a-tete, that she feels
must rive her soul
Duran, stopping abruptly beneath the
spreading branches OF huge Scotch fir,
lays his hand upon her arm thus arrest
ing her footsteps also.
If love be indeed all-powerful bow is
1t that ! have failedy be asks in low
tone. mo love was ever stronger than
that bear for YOU. and yet it has been
OF no avail when matched against the
barrier that stands between you and me.
Has It been my fault. or is il that the
love should be equal on both sides. aud
hat-yours-fAls below the maris'
She had been standing with lowered
Ids and trembling hands, but now, rs
though forced 10 Il against her will, she
looks at him: Her large, dark, mournful
eyes are full OF n reproach- mute, but SO
terrible that his hcrrt rIows warm within
him. Alas, how clearly In those inelan-
choly eyes i her pprc love lying. $3.50.