Telegram-herald., 1890-05-03

>-1E
Hiss Vans stood close beside him. gate mo
t0slLsss
James Vogdes was noted among the
men who knew him best as an unusually
humble, unassuming fellow, a man who
would never assert himself enough To
push BIS way. But every nerve now
tingled with keen excitement and de-
light. my life Is worth little 70 any
man No one could be spared better"
And ho waited breathless 10 be contra
dicted- Not that the stout, brawny fell
low was in reality peculiarly vain or silly.
Mailed Antony himself, no doubt, blushed
with pleasure when the Egyptian women
patted, and petted, and cajoled him. and
put him on a pedestal 70 abase them
selves before.
CharIottes answer startled him. Your
life Is worth little she said, "for you
have not known It's valuA"
do your
The darkness was warm and still about
Them his breath came hot and quick.
She had reused fierce, passionate thoughts
in him with her sudden, sharp probe;
but they were Of himself, not Of her
Old ambitions started into life; the dream
which came TO him ia his boyhood OF
what he might be, the dream that had
SO slowly died, and left him dull, SEN
sible country squire, Flooding with the
rest. What am |, Charlotte? God
knows I've sounded myself. but l find
nothing" lie waited as though the dark
figure had been a prieseess who had
spoken TO the gods forv him. She did
not answer at once Il have lived very
much alone. No one ever cared to speak
10 me as you have done now. But you
overrate me. | am cure you overrate
me-"
IF you come back, she said, in the
same low, strained voice, there is no
place which strength and intellect can
conquer which may not be yours. Vir-
and waiting for you. Let me speak
plainly, though / am a woman. The
time is short, and l am your friend" her
voice failing at the last.
He listened breathless. eyes. Let US
be true and frank 10 each other. If
could believe what you tell me- lie
was standing beside her Unconsciously
they had gone down the path into the
thick trees Of the garden. A strange
madness fred his blood If this were
true? He had dreamed it Of himself long
ago. And Charlotte had subtly limited
il before. These words only gave sub
stance to her meaning and to their
friendship. If he were indeed to waken
when he came back to a new life Of ex-
ertion, victory. power! And she-this
friend who saw his true self when all
others were blind?
He turned sharply. She was close to
him, the rare brilliant woman whom co
many men had sought in vain, with all
her wonderful beauty her subtle thought,
her feeling for him, whatever that might
be. laid bare, ready for his coming.
H did think Of Alice But she had
grown curiously petty and faded in his
mind. A mere bit Of ice. And ice. he
remembered, when you pressed it too
warmly, sometimes rested in your hand
dash Of insipid water. But here
Could fate have meant him 10 win
this woman's love? She turned her face
slowly toward him. Charlotte had al
WAYS this advantage on her side. that
she never acted. For the time she loved
the man madly. II breathed in the very
atmosphere about her. 1t had its power
over him without his knowledge. The
f l. - - F.ff
AID shook out delicate perfume. her
breast rose and fell with passionate
tremble and SILVER. her sultry eyes
evaded his; her warm breath touched
him Then she drew back. che was al
most lost in the shadows
He sprany after her. caught her arm
"Sfav, IL Il come back alive
He paused, there was fierce struggle
AZ his heart. A bell sounded down in
the river fog. She waited a moment for
him 70 speak
There is the boat" She said then,
quietly. 1--WE viii De friends-in life OF
death" The tone was cold enough. but
she touched his forehead with tho tips q
her fngers-just touched it. no more.
but the next moment she was strained
to his breast ana his burning lips were
pressed 20 hers. Then he turned from
her and hurried down the hill
A. the pari0r window Alice's Httle
pale face had been watching al evening
Sac saw him now cross the path that led
70 the house. and step uncertainty. She
got up. putting her hand upon the pane.
Tom. who was clinging half asleep "a
her dress. slipped down neglected.
He Il coming she whispered Surely
he would n9t 80 20 meet death withou;
word Of g00d-by for here
The boat ben rang impstientl7. SEE
heard his sharp clear tones Did the
ladies' good night for me. Page / an
sorry am 50 hurried
ice who knew now wtssrs he vas 60
ng stood hv him remorseful and fuss
nx WI vou rot bid Tom Eood-6y2"
T0m2 NJ. 7 could Bottio that Hs
Burned an walked without a word down
into the fog Had he forgotten his boy
n Tie last hour &c feit A. Il De had
.een lost in = hct fsverish dream from
~hfch ~ woui8 never wish - awaken.
Meanwhile little Ally stood ~ she
~indov. vsechirg him q When -
r-ise sf che shore rad ceased. ard s1s
beard re bost sVssh rhrouzh the wsteI
As h passed down the river. shs fuTre-
Ard went ND STAIRS. smiling very tT7 81 y
as she met her mother
rs hera IL Tom. nv dear
a. r--4 k-~-~ mamma T-r--r
bare net seer hiu
Has Mr Vogles gone joe told Tor
nss intsnton