Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-12-26
TESSA.
CHAPTER XII.

Oh, had only known!" he thought
There was a flash of righteous anger
in his eyes as he looked back at
Austen.
"And you let her go" he said slow
ly, but with withcring contempt in
his voice which sent the blood rushing
into Austen's face-'you thought this,
and you let her go, and never raised a
finger to save from certain ruin and
shame the woman you professed TO
love? Why, if had been you"-and
his sallow face flushed and his eyes
grew bright and angry-"I would
have gone after her to the very end of
the world would have put bullet
through the scroundrel who tempted
her away, and would have saved her
in spite of herself-of ALL" With
an uncontrolled excitement he sprang
from his chair walked up and down
the room, flashing angry glances at
Austen's white suffering face. al
would to heaven that you had been
right-that she loved me, poor little
girl" he cried passionately.
Austen listened, but he scarcely
heard the words. Another voice
other words, forgotten till now, rang
in his ears and drowned Noel's pas
sionate words.
"Some day you will remember that
you would not listen," Tessa had said
calmly. He could remember the very
tone of her voice-see her sad eyes
looking back as she fingered by the
doorway.
Noel, little ashamed of his excite
ment, came back to his chair again
and resumed his pipe; he looked fur
lively at Austen between the sharp,
quick pulls Of smoke.
"Do you really mean to say that
you don't know where she is?' he
asked.
"No." Austen shook his head.
Cleveland hesitated moment.
"You don't deserve it. but / think ]
may possibly help you to find out"
he said after short silence. "Are
you aware that few days before your
mothers death your brother Antony
was at the Hall?"
"Antony! Impossible"- An
tony looked up with a startled excla-
nation.
.Quite possible?' answered Noel
with short laugh. 81 ought to know
for was the means of bringing him
there. 1t seems that your mother
had an intense desire to see him again
"a desire which she knew that neither
you nor Mrs. Calender would be like
ly TO crafty; and so Tessa-she was
always a tender-hearted little soul,
bless her!-came to me and asked me
to find out his address. did so, moi
without some trouble; and l know the
fact" Noel went on, looking steadfast-
ly into Austens anxious face, "that
Antony was once, If not twice, at the
Hall unknown to you about the time Of
Mrs. Bevan's death"
"And you think that Tessa is with
him nowP" There was a new light, @
radiant flush on Austen's face.
al think it is probable enough; OF
at all events he may know where she
is. / can give you his address II you
care to inquire" Noel could not re.
sist the sheer. Indeed 1 got Antony
berth in the Office of friend o.
mine-a lawyer in Gray's Inn" He
turned over the pages Of his pocke
book until he found the address
Eyes, here it is"
He scrubbed few lines OF card
and gave it to Austen; but he did no
wish him God-speed, and he turned
impatiently away as the other thanked
him eagerly.
"Thank you, and forgive mel" Aus
ten said huskily, as he turned TOWARD
the door; and Noel laughed oddly.
II will forgive you when Tess
does" he said.
lie went back to his chair and lool
up his pipe and book again as thu
door closed behind the visitor; but tn,
book soon dropped UNDECIDED from hi
hand, and the pipe went out as he la,
back in his chair and meditated ovel
the past interview and Auslen's lat,
repentance. How would the CUES
endp he wondered Would Tessa for
give Austen? What sin was there to-
great for a woman to forgive in tn,
man she loved? But yet Tessa wa
scarcely one OF Jne Uenuer all-IorSlF
ing order OF womanhood, he thought
with a half-smile. She was rattle
one who would passionately resent in
justice and harshness. And IL sh'
would not forgive Austen-well, ther'
might be a chance for some one else
Noels lips curved into tender smile
as he fancied what that might rneaI
to him. How good he would be to her
he thought.
And so he lay back in his chair M
INDUCED just for a brief half-hour il
blissful dream Of the happy futur,
and tho perfect life which-alas TO
poor Noel!-was never to dawn TO
him.
Antony was much surprised on
morning when Austen walked into tn