Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-07-17

you would now be entengfed with me |
o woman whom you never really loved,
but who had infatuated you. My feel
ing toward you was moro genuine than |
yours for me, though in my selhshness I
betrayed you. And IL is the same now
that it was when | still deserved your
preference"
care you trying to lime me again?"
said Garcia, his face darkening.
"Well, | can't blame your suspicious"
she rejoined, with a half sigh. Il am n
fool to subject myself to them. But
am sure of one thing-no one will ever
know you as do. You have not told
this new ally of yours who you really
are. He thinks that you are the poor
wandering thing that you choose to ap-
pear He does not know the social dig
nifty that you might assume If you
would. have been your only confidant
and you will never have another.
have been to you what no one else can
ever be. You cannot deny it, and tho
only satisfaction left me in life is that it
is so. When are you going to have me
arrested"
THAT Is not for me to say" he replied,
biting his lips.
She put her hand upon his arm. The
touch was light, but he felt it to the
marrow of his bones.
"lf it is to be done," said she in a muir
mur, "let it be done by You. | could
bear ruin that came from you-but not
from any other"
"Ah, yes; you think | cannot do it2"
said he, scarce audibly.
at Is so much to ask--for the woman
you have loved:"
He turned away and took n step as if
to depart $50, then" she said with
sigh.
He turned to her again. 81 am fool
and villain" he said, "Where can l
see your"
Come to ne tonight" she replied;
1--WE shall be alone"
That evening Garcia was expected at
the Bannicks' house, but he did not come.
His absence was scarcely noted. The
lovers had enough to think of in each
other. HE has been looking rather
under the weather lately" remarked the
count II suppose he is taking "A rest"
They intended after the ceremony to
take a trip TO southern California, where
the count thought of buying some land,
and they would be back in New York in
June, by which time the summer dwell
; ing on Long Island would have been
completed. Here their estate extended
across the island, from the sound to the
sea, a region twenty miles long by ten
miles in width. The house was erected
within mile Of the place where once
stood the hut in which Keppel Darke
had passed a memorable night. The
hut had been removed, but the swamp
still remained
The wedding breakfast was to be given
in the Fifth avenue house. Olympia
was to proceed to the church from tho
Banncls, and in their company, and
would there he met by the bridegroom.
Mrs. Raven decided not 10 be present at
the wedding. She would bid her daugh-
ter farewell at the breakfast. and would
take up her quarters az the Fifth avenue
house during their absence. These de-
tails were all settled by the night of
April 80, and at that time the lovers
babe each other good night for the last
time. Thereafter they would part no
more. 1t was a happy good night; no
shadow rested upon it, y life Of sum
SHINE lay before them.
Olympia slept soundly and was mp be-
times. She was in an exaltedmood; her
eyes deep with sweet reveries; she hum
med songs to herself in a minor key: she
hardly seemed conscious of her surround
ings; her heart and mind were elsewhere.
Mrs. Bannick helped her dress and put
the finishing touches to her packing.
They We're to be AT the church at eleven.
Everything was ready by ten, There was
nothing to DO but wait. Olympia had
been growing more and more distracted.
She looked pale, and her friend coun-
seled her to lie down for half an hour
Olympia nodded assent, went into her
room and closed the door Mrs. Bannick,
a careful housekeeper, went to the kit
chen to give her orders for the day. AT
ten forty-tye the carriage was announce
ed. She tapped at Olymqia's door, but
there was no answer, She opened the
door and looked in, saying, 1T is time,
my dearH But no one answered. The
room was empty, nor was Olympia any
where in the house.
1t took some time to establish this fact,
bUt Mrs. Bannick was not easily fright
cucl, and, though making every effort
20 find Olympia, did not permit herself
10 believe any harm. If she was not in
the house she must have left it volunta-
rily-so much seemed certain. The
apartment house in which their flat was
contained dozen other flats, at all of
which inquiry was made, but the hall
boy said that "A lady had gone out half
an hour before who resembled Miss
Raven. She had not come down in the
elevator, and he had not seen her face,
but the description he gavo of her dress
made it practically certain that it was
Olympia. He had not noticed what direc-
ton she took on leaving tho house.
perhaps the girl has gone to the
church on foot" exclaimed Mrs Ban
nick to her husband, who was looking
moro and more despairing. "Sho WAS
,,..l Oh.