Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-02-20
CHAPTER XIV.
II fei. tightness grasp my throat.
As II Mnull SfrhnYle me-

AS IL Wouiu strange me.
1t is now far past midnight and still tho
storm RACES overhead. Heavy bursts OF
thunderous rain dash against the walls of
the cabin, and through the open doorway
the inky blackness of the night looks in
upon her as she Is covering by the hearth,
her eyes ever fixed on tho motionless form
beside her.
Every now and then she rises to chafe
the uninjured hand, to listen for the faint
breathing, TO wash away the marks of
blood upon the wan face. Little by little
she has made him swallow most of the
brandy the Task contained, and now with
q sad heart she sits watching for the dawn.
VIII he last till them And even then is
she sure she can make her way home in n
hurry? And -and--when she gets there
what will her welcome be-what will she
say-how give an account of herselfs How
is she to tell them that she has spent the
night-the long, long, terrible night-alone
with him in this hut? Katherine's face
rises before her once again-the bitter scorn
of 1.-THE cruel contemplate wicked
meaning.
A thousand times she assures herself that
no one can dare say n word 10 her preju-
dice when the truth, in Denis shattered
person, lies before them and yet for all
be made, and shrinks from the thought OF
it with rather undue horror. In this dark
hour she remembers how Katherine is mis-
tress of her secret; remembers too, little
meaning, kindly smiles and innuendoes
from Nancy and Lady Glandore. and
knows full well that her unhappy affection
for her cousin, ii not shouted, has at least
been whispered on the housatops.
Yes, il is all over. This melancholy
night spent here in this desolate cabin will
never be forgotten by her in the world
never! 1t seems TO her, in the morbid state
into which. She now has fallen, that for the fu-
ture she w il be sort OF outcast an Irish
pariah, as it were, amongst her tribe. One
little drop of comfort falls into her cup of
misery. To morrow-nay. to-day-her
dad is coming to Ventry. To this thought,
which is the very sweetest imaginable to
her solely troubled spirit, she clings eager
"; in it indeed she has indeed great store
of bl ss"-for when did her dad ever think
evil where no evil was?-and if all tho
world were against her would not that be
TO him one reason the more for declaring
himself more openly upon her side-dear,
darling dad
A heavy sigh falls from her and moving
uneasily upon her seat--a heap of sticks
she suddenly becomes aware that Denis has
his eyes open and is looking at her.
sis that you Duchess"
The voice is low, so faint indeed as to be
half inaudible, but 'lovers' ears are sharp
To hear" and Norah, rising, bends eagerly
over him.
Eyes, L am here" she whispers tender
~. She kneels upon the ground beside
him, and softly, lovingly, lays her cool
hand upon his forehead It is throbbing
violently; but the wet bandage has evident
ly been Of some use, as the blood has ceased
30 flow. Feebly lifting the unini ured arm,
he draws down the little comforting hand
until it touches his lips.
MY leloved, this is q bad thing for
you," he whispers with difficulty. "Can
you not go home? You are giving up too
much for me-
''Not so much as you imagine, (" whispers
she back, smiling 81 have lost my way,
do you know / can't go; so you see am
not doing very much for you after ALL
II know better than that, the words
came slowly, disconnectedly, and as IL the
utterance of them hurts him. "But shall!
explain. Ill make them understand IL
last till then-if--r He breaks OFF with a
heavy sigh that is almost groan, and
makes a vain effort, that is very pitiable in
one so strong, to change his position.
'You are in psiny' says Norah misera-
bly,.
''No. But tircd--tired," murmurs he
YEARLY. Then, seeing her about to rise, he
clasps her hand closer. Don't 60. Stay
with me- OH darling, IL am to die now
after this-with the knowledge that you
love me, it will be hard--hardl"
''Do not try to talk" entreats she, rails
ing him with all her strength and so turn
ing Lin that he will find rclos. "Do not
you are only wasting the little power left
you Now, are you better, more comfort
ables'
Beside him, herihand still clasped in his,
Norah sits quietly, her head bent upon her
knees And presently OH tired thought
kindly sleep descends and conquers IL, and
soon all is forgotten. Oh, blessed health
giving unconsciousness, where would the
tired ones of the earth find rest IL thou vert
withdrawn
IL is dawn as with pang Of acutest fear
she wakes Nay, more than dawn. Tho
day is well awake, and on the mountain
tops the first fine clouds of coming morn
are dissolving beneath the suns warm rays
Springing to her feet Norah turns a terri
hed glance upon Delaney, to find that he