Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-12
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A THRILLING STORY OF THE
FRANOO-PRUSSIAN WAR.
CHAPTER ".
BY MAURICE LEGRAND.

THE SECRET.
eTcHE night had fallen dark and hot
~ and sultry.
With swift feet and trembling
limbs the girl hastenel on. She
reached the bOat-hOuse, and a hurried
whisper told the hidden fugitive that
all was safe. He crept out and helped
her to unlOose the clumsy, flat-bOt-
toned market-boat, and they both en-
tered it and drifted off into the swift
flowing current. The man took the
oars, the girl the tiller-rope, and,
without word save the whispered di-
rections he needed, they floated on
through the hushed hot darkness.
"Is it far?h the man asked present
ly.
"No."
"How have you managed to get
away" he whispered curiously. A
slight sob rose in the girls throat.
IL have made a good beginning.
truly. My first act toward my husband
has been to deceive him
ale will not discover you-you are
sure9' he questioned in alarm.
mo, did my work too we'll"
"And you regret already?'
81 never said So"
''NO, but your voice, your face, all
show it,
''Since when have you learnt to read
them so accurately?"
"Child, child. do not torture me-
Do you not know that every look,
every accent of yours brings back the
past as though it were but yester-
day? Do you not know that my
love-
ado not speak of love-" she cried,
with sudden tempestuous anger; "the
wrong l have done fortunes me suffi-
GENTLY. | think of his love, and how
l have already repaid it.
"My claim is greater than his.
have a right stronger-surer. You
know it."
Il know it," she said, calmly, look
ing straight on, past the troubled
waters beyond
'.You are sorry, grieved. that
came again. Oh, Ninette! and once
you told me your love and duty would
never fall
Have they done SOP
"Not in the letter, but in the spiri
yes"
..Can l help ito The task is be
yond my strength. When l stood OF
the threshold of new joys-of tn
deepest bliss my life had ever know
you dashed the cup from my lips
you stole the joys from my heart.
e. a
much as for him. He trusts me SO nj
terly."
"Pooh! thought you were abov
such foolish weakness. Do you low
this man then?"
THAT concerns me only"
ut is trLe that he has many fin
points of honor. Your little trick tt
night would shame you forever in h
eyes. once he knew OF it,"
''Is it for you to utter such words?
she asked him, passionately. "Wh
do you love tn torture me?"
II do not wish to pain you, Ninette
he stammered. huskily. "Heave
knows l have more need of your re
proaches than you of mine!"
..If you know that, be silent nov
speech is useless
He leaned back and piled his oal
in silence. Thought was busy wit
him, and some remOrse touched eve
his callous heart for the wrong ar
the suffering he was bringing on tn
girls young life. He remembered a
she had endured, all she must still e
dure; and some dim sense of shan
moved him, as he thought of the sha
ows he had cast on the morning of h
youth, the glories OF her womanhOO
Through the darkness doomed now
square stone building, half in ruin
and built upon the rivers edge.
winter the waters often flooded
Ghostly tales were told by the pet
ants, far and near, respecting t
spirits OF murdered men who haunt
its deserted chambers. The @
pointed suddenly toward it.
THAT is the place, !" she said. %,
man or woman in all this coun,
round dare venture here"
The boat was steered close To
walls, which were deep bedded in
soil. and half hidden by the ri,
weeds and Osiers which grew thi
and dense around. The girl thr
the rope around the jutting sto
work; he then laid down his oars q
stood up.
..You can climb through here
you not?" said Ninette, pointing
the arch of window above tn
heads. 1.-The stones are like steps
have often been in myself for eurie