Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1890-01-20

perhaps have done more, but that Madness
agonized glance of entreaty restraints him.
This glance fortunately Boyle fails to see.
''Who are you to dare to interfere?'' he
cries Savagely, glancing at Duran.
keep baclzi This matter is between
me and Miss Roche"
His gaze returns to Nadine and again
1t rests upon her, his crime, his ruin, his
coming eXilel
''Nadinep' he says, and his voice has
grown wonderfully soft.
''Think, my belovedl Would you cast
me off now? now, when the world has cast
me off? Seel [ would not plead to you,
would not throw myself so altogether
Oh your mercy-even though that mercy
means the saving of my soul-but that
know no other man is dearer to you than
I. Your own lips have told me this.
Your voice, as You gave me the blessed
assurance, still rings in my earS!'
Duran, who has been standing near her,
with his eyes upon the ground, lifts them
Slowly now and fixes them upon Nadine.
He has grown very pale.
Nadine is standiEG with Whita lips and
raised head, her glance riveted upon
Boyle, as though fascinated.
'That ! have not gained your entire
heart / know" continues Grant,, in the
same low put imprisoned tone. ''But [
am satisfied with the knowledge that no
other has gained it. Come! what is there
to wait for in this land? Your heart if
not quite mine, is still your own If you
follow me it is to gain slave who will
call your hghtest wish a dear command
Gomez
Again he takes her hand. Softly this
time-with gentlest care; and the girl, as
though in q dream, suffers herself to be
led toward the door. step or two she
goes, then stops cOnfusedly, and raising
one little pink palm presses it convulsive
ly to her brow.
''You hesitate, my love! But why,
Why" whispers he still with his glowing
eyes on hers, his grasp growing warmer
''Nay, considerl Would you send me out
into the cold, the dark, forlorn, lost, with
out the one sweet thing / crave, whose
presence will restore to me light and hope
and joy? Oh! have pity, love! And re-
member, too, you are mine! Mine Onlyi
If I have sinned it was to gain means 10
make a home for you elsewhere. For you
| have resigned fortune, home in my own
country, honOr-all! Now, when every
mans hand is against me, you, at least
VIII not draw back?''
A shiver runs through Nadine; this
lying speech, false in all but the wild
love that speaks through it, stirs her
frame and holds her against her will
All power of volitiOn seems gone from
her She suffers her hand to be passively
n his; like sObs her breath rushes from
her breast. AS though conquered by
superior power, she lets herself be led
slowly but surely toward the door, be-
Tond which lies captivity. She feels
:1umbed, senseless. She would fain cry
aloud; but some strange inward force
strikes her dumb. Already the threshold
is reached.
She pauses mechanically. The anguish
in the eyes always fixed so immOvably on
Boyle's warns him it is best to humor her
for the moment. That she is on the verge
Of fainting is apparent to him.
''FOr all this [ will repay you with the
service of a lifetime" he whispers eager
ly. my beloved, collect your strength.
Trust to me wholly. And think-think
always of the blessedness of the work be-
fore you! I will repent for your sake.
will lead from henceforth godly life
for your sweet sake. Oh, Nadine! my
very soul is yours to make or mar! Your
promise to me! You shall think of that
tool 1t gave you to me; it made you
mine! Mine for all eternity Come! To-
gether we must be forever!'
Again he endeavors to draw her across
the threshold.
''Neverr'
The word rings out loud and clear and
desperate. And then even clearer, and
filed with passionate entreaty:
''Mauricer' she cries, in a tone that
thrills the hearts of all present.
TcOSTINITFD