Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-06-12

And then she began to feel so
sorry for him, 50 regreiful Of what
she had done, she almost hated her
self at times for having grievcd
his loyal, patient love.
"Aud it's too late now to undo
what have done. Ranse will
never forgive me. If lie were not
estranged utterly he would not re-
main away from me as he does"
size sighed.
AS the days elapsed she began to
feel the silence between them was
becoming unendurable.
Her whole soul cried out for him
with a very madness of yearnlrg.
! Her pulses throbbed at the recol-
lection Of his passionate pleadings,
and tears rushed TO her eyes as she
recalled the cold selfishness with
which she had repulsed him.
And yet bhe did not love him,
she told herself. Her heart was
dead.
She felt a melancholy satisfaction
in wandering about the spots where
she had so often strolled with him,
where everything recalled his ten
Ter courtesies and unwearying de-
votiOn.
She had not yet transferred her
self to the fine new mansion which
was being made ready for her. She
was still in the OLD house, haunted
with vivid reminders Of Ramse
Dunmorrow in the pretty rooms
and in every niche Of the sweet, an
cient garden.
At the far end Of the garden was
a grotto opening upon the low bank
Of a charming lake, over which she
and Ranse had often drifted by sun
light and moonshiuc.
1t was to the grotto she wandered
one day when her regrets had be-
come more than ever unbearable.
A red sun hung low in a brilliant
March sky. A breath Of early flow
ers and springing grasses issued from
the warm, brown mold where daffo-
dill huds were already opening their
p Le-green sheathes.
She stood gazing at the lake which !
was touched with the prisLatic |
glory Of the sunset, when she heard |
footsteps rapidly approaching her.
She had been thinking of Ranse,
as she always was latterly: but it |
was not Ranse she saw when she |
turned so Gag rly.
1t was the lden lover, so long
supposed to be dead.
The face changed. She looked
proud, unresponsive, almost dis
pleased.
"You heard Of my return, of
course? You received nay MESSAGE" |
he said, as coniidentially, as easily, !
as If they had parted but yesterday. |
The girl bowed coIdly in utter
silence.
He flashed a swift, furtiye search |
ing glance AT the pale calm face, at
the graceful figure 50 proudly erect. |
"Are you not pleased to see me,
Ermn,' he asked, in an Injured tone. |
81 am always pleased to see my
friends - she answered slowly.
land am | not more than IA friend? |
Am | not your plighted husband?" |
he returned, uneasily.
~ think not. | think you have no
claims upon the regard Of any per-
son whom you have wilfully deceiv |
ed for five years, she said, ,iGcisivelS |
81 can explain all that, dearest. | !
was too busy trying to pile up golden |
dollars to correct the rumor of my |
death. And | WIS always n poor
as you knew. knew |
you would be faithful To me, Erma;
knew | should find II charming .
little wIfc waiti "a for me when | |
should return, no matter how long
my absence might be," he answered
her.
He spoke coaXingly, rs he would
have spoken to II veXed child.
In air and aspect there was some
thing about Cecil Staunton at the
moment which impressed the girl
rs being base, greedy, and insincrre.
"What fastened your return?"
she inquired presently.
81 could no longer resist my desire
To see you, my dear, had heard Of
your good fortune, and, of course, | /
knew our marriage need not longer
he delayed for lack OF money, And /
80 | am here" he replied, with that
assured aud easy air,
lie had stretched out his arms 10
her but Erma shrunk back, look
of scorn aud cold dislike upon her
lovely proud race,
"Our marriage Is delayed forever 80 .
she said, with ley tirnuess II shall .
never he your wife, Cecil Staunton, .
lie stared moment as il he
doubted his own senses,
The surprised expression altered
gradually To Jealous wrath, black
su pirion, and fiery menace,
"Oh, yes YOU will, my dear lac
d 'clared, with a short, coarse laugh,
"Nou are miue.by your own prom
ises; aud shall claim you, no mat
ter what stands in my way, You
are NeNed now. nreItN ono. hni Nnn