The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-01
"APRIL'S LADY. "
A NOVEL OF OUR OWN DAY.
Written for The Sun BY The Duchess.
CHAPTER LvII.


And sAtss ny hopes ssGayL
which purely vhita deserves
An everlasting dtamond should tmart
He has not. however. gone three yards down
The corridor when the door is again opened.
and Lady Baltimore's voice calls after him:
BaltlmoroF Her tone 10 sharp. high
lied the tone OF one strung to the highest
pitch OF despair. 1t startles him. He turns to
look at her. She Is standing. framed In by the
doorway. and ono hand is GraspinS the wood
work with hold 50 firm that the knuckles are
showing white. With the other hand she beck
ons him to approach her. He obeys her. He
b even so frightened at the strange gray look
IN her face that he draws her bodily into the
room again shutting the door with o pressure
Of the hand he can best spare.
What is 1t ?" says he. looking down at her
She has managed to so far overcome the
fain.ness that has been threatening her as to
chair behind her.
Don't CO." says she. hoarsely
It is impossible to misunderstood her mean
ing II has nothing whatever to do with his
interview with the lawyer waiting SO patiently
down below. but with that wandering OF his in
TO regions unknown She is as white as death.
How is this. Isabel?" asks he. He Is as
white as she is now. do you know what you
are saying? This is a moment Of excitement;
you do not eomrrenono NnAI your Notus neAn-
stay! Stay for his sake
is that all p says he. his eyes searching hers.
For mine, then"
The wonls seem to scorch her. She covers
her face with her hands and stands before him.
stricken dumb miserable-contessed.
For yours :"
He goes closer to her. and ventures to take
her hand. II is cold as death. His is burning.
You have given reason for my staying"
says be. But what is the meaning ofit?"
This :" cries she. throwing UP her head.
and showing him her shamed and grief
stricken face. Il am a coward In spite OF
everything would not have you Go-so far ~
Il see. I understand" he signs heavily.
And yet that story was foul lie 1t is all
that stands between US. Isabel Is it not so
But you will not believe"
There is a long silence during which neither
OF them stirs. They seem wrapt in thought
in siience-he still holding her hand
lift was lie" says she at last breaking the
quist round them By an effort. would you so
far forgive my distrust Of you as TO be holding
my hand like this?'
Yes What is there I would not forgive
you !" says he. And it was lie!"
Grill" cries she in great agitation " take
care, It is a last moment! Do you dare TO tell
me that still' SupposinR your story to be true.
and mins-that Vomans-false, how would II
DO between US thens"
As ii was in the first good old time when We
we're married"
You could forgive the wrong have done
you al those years. suppostng-"
-EverJthing-alL7
An" This sound seems crushed out Of
her She steps backward. and dry sob
breaks from her.
What is It p asks he. quickly.
oh. that could-that 1 dared-b0lieve."
says she.
You would have proofs" says he coldly.
resiGning her hand. My word Is not enough.
You nigh. love me did prove worthy; your
love is not strong enough TO endure the panG
OF distrust. Was ever real love SO poor q thing
as that: However. you shall have them"
What p asks she. raising har head
Tho proofs you desire" responds he icfly.
That woman-your friend-ths immaculate
one-+ied the day before yesterday. What
You never heard? And you and sne-"
she was nothing TO me-" says Lady Bald-
more. Nothing since"
Tho day she reyiled me! And yet"-with Q
most joyless laugh" for the sake Of woman
you cared so little about thar even her death has
not caused you panR. you severed the tie that
should have been the closest to you on earth
Well. she is dead. Heaven rest her sowl" as
the peasants say. She wrote me letter on her
bed Of death"
Yes ?" Eagerly
You still doubt?" says he with O stern
glance \, her 80 DO it you shall see the letter.
though how will that satisfy you For you can
always crafty your desire for suspicion By re-
GardinG il as forgery. The woman herself is
dead. 50, OF course. there Is no one TO contra
dict Do think this all out" says he, with 9
eonIemptuous laugh. before you commit
yourself 10 a fresh belief in me. You sec
give you every chance. To such veritabls
Thomas in petticoats every road should be
laid open Now"-tauntinRly-"w will you wait
here whilst bring the proot2"
He Is gazing at her in heart broken sort OF
way. Is It tbs endt Is IL al really over? There
had been faint flicker OF the dying candies
tiny giaro-and now for all time is IL 10 be
darkness?
As for her. Ever since he had let her hand
60. sho had stood with bent head looking at II
He had taken it, ne had lot 1t go: there seemed
TO be a promise Of heAven-was it g false ono?
She Is silent. and Baltimore. who had hoped
for one word OF trust, Of belief. makes q gss-
ture OF despair
Il will bring you the letter" he says. moving
toward the door. When he does bring it-when
she had read IL and satisfied herself Of the
loyalty so long doubted. where, he asks him
self. will they two be then1 Further apart
than ever? He has forgiven q great deal
much moro than this-And yet. strange human
nature. he knows II he once leaves the room
and her presence now. he will never return
again. Tho letter she viii seS-but him-never
The door Is open. He has almost creased the
threshold Once again her voice recalls him.
once again he looks back. she is holding out
her arms 70 him.
"CyriI Cyril" she cried "Ibelieve you
She stARRers toward him. Mercitully tho
fountain Of her tears breaks loose, she hinGs
herself into his willing arms. and sobs out
whole world OF grief upon mis- bosom.
1t il q cruel moment. yet one frauRht with
JOY as keen as the soroW-G fre OF anguish
out OF which both emerge purified Gained
Gadd0ned-
CHAPTER LYIIL
"Lo the winter pax the u and gone: the
esEsr appear the earth; the time Of the singing Of
ths birds has come
The vague suspicion OF rain that had hlled
THAR thonRhta A. kFeakfaAt has proYad idlA