The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-01-09
A quick and fatal revealation stunned

him.
'Is it Clayton Garrett or Clayton
Whitcomb2" he asked huskily, after a
moments pause, while his heart stood
still for the answer.
''Clayton GARRETT coldly. "Arnold
Whtcomb was for years engaged to my
cousin, who is now his wife. | was never
Influenced by the motives which two
years ago, and again tonight, you so
freely attributed to me. You labored
under mistake"
Good God Clayton, do you speak
the truth? Have | in thought and deed
so cruelty wronged you2 II so"-after a
pause filed by fierce mental conflict
''mY suffering for the past two years
will be but slight indemnity for the in
justice have done"
81 did not love your friend" she con.
tinued, in quiet vindication. 'If had,
rich or poor, should have married him
and heaven is my Witness" earnestly,
that | did not lead him on. | was too
absorbed, perhaps too thoughtless as to
results; but oh l was not 'heartless
coquettc. ,"
"Say no more" he answered, with
a groan; ''every word you utter
enters my heart like o-edged blade
My own weapons have been turned
against me. How harsh, how unjust |
have been How cruel to the one who,
despite all the unkind thoughts l have
endeavored to foster against her, has
been dearest of all the world to me for
more than two years My punishment
will be bitter, but, Miss Garrett, you
will have the sweet satisfaction of know.
ing that you have been and yet will be
avenged"
40 not speak to me So" she cried
"we have come through great danger
together. You have yet to go and come
again. Let us be at peace in the short
time left"
"At peace" bitterly, "when my whole
heart is filled to breaking with love foi
you, and yours holds nothing but resent.
ment for me-"
They were riding now up the avenue
to the lighted house. For an instant
she lifted her eyes to his, but in tho
half-light he conld not read their ex
preston.
"Please set me down near this rustic
bench" she sa d; ct will least alarm
my mother if enter alone"
He lifted her gently from the horse.
"And is this good d-bye2' he asked with
whitening lips.
1T is" she answered coldly, "for you
must hasten on. There is need for great
dipatch "
Then goodbye, Clayton, in broken
tones. "Alay God bless and restore you,
darling, and may He see fit to reward you
nobly for this nights brave work." No
other word of the sorrow gnawing so
cruelty at his heart, and he was gone.
He had mounted his horse.
'Arthur," she cried wildly, "come
back"
In an instant he was at her side.
VI may never see you again. she
painted; there must he truth between
us now. 1t was for your sake that acted
as guide tonight. You have vouchsafed
me nothing but pain from the first, but,
oh. my lc,e, l have always loved you"
"Clayton, dearest, can this be true
do not deserve such happiness. But, if
am spare /, whole lifetime of love and
devotion 81 atone. This is our be.
trothal as as goodbye" he whisp.
ered,' as he cla'ped her close to his pas,
sionately throbbing heart, and left kiss
on-the tender, upturned lips.
And on the morrow the enemy heard
that part of orrest's troop, whom they
had considered as shared and hemmed in,
had been guided to a ford, and had thus
escaped in the night-BeJcrd's Maya.
zine.