Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-10-09

the heart. There was one man who cared
nothing for peasants tales. She glanced
behind her, but saw no sign OF any living
creature, save the birds In the branches
and the scuttling squirrels. She listened.
There was dead silence, though indeed
oil the messy ground even horses step
would not be audible till the animal were
within twenty yards.
She bent down and examined the marks
more attentiyely. An Indian would have
made more OF them, light as the impress
was; but lima could see that they were
those of small-hoofcd animal, though
whether they were recent or not her
knowledge did not enable her to determine.
Had Hassan passed that wayl Well, why
frighten herself So? 1t might have been
yesterday, OF two days before, or three
hours ago, that Sir Philip had ridden
through the glen; and, IL it were only
i've minutes ago, he would be far ahead of
her, far out of sight before she reached
the end. But how the mere thought of
his having been so near-perhaps 80 re-
cently-made her heart beat! Aud how,
argue ~ she would, her lips quiycred and
her eyes gaZed icarlully before her with
every onward step she took How she
started at every rustic of leaf, rs though
she expected to see an elm creature ill.,
stead Of bird shoot forth from the brake!
Another turn, and no sign yet OF the
end OF the long winding Hank!
What was thaty The girl stopped abrup-
ly. a sudden flight oil birds from out OF
tue thicl, f"''age ,arce hundred PAGES
ahead. What had startled themy In
another second dark object came round
the turning--not the knight OF the legend,
with cross-hilted, sword elevated before
him, but Sir Philip mounted on iassan,
aud gain. before him with such look as
strong proud men wear when they are
fighting Il stern battle with their own pas
sions, and know that they are losing
ground inch by inch. But this lima had
not time to see; for lie had recognised
the slight form standing in the soft twi-
light OF the glen at the instant that he
passed the curve; and wild joy lighted
up his face, and the last frail barrier the
strong will had striyen to uphold tottered
and fell.
Not even pausing to draw bride, he
sprang from his horse, and was at llma's
side, her hands clasped in his, before the
startled stecd had halted.
"Ilma, llma," lie cried-and his whole
heart went out TO her in the passionate
utterancc--.' oh, my life, my soul, | can
strive no longer! Why have you come 10
tempt me!
But lima could not answer him. She
was trembling violently. Her golden
head dropped, and her eyes sank before
his. How could she meet the look that
would have told her the whole glorious
truth if his lips had been silent and his
hand had never touched hers?
"llmav' Now his arms were round her,
her heart was throbOing against his, and
his lips sought hers. china, my darling,
| know that you love me. Let me hear
you say it. Raise those dear eyes and
look into mine, and tell me that your life
is mine, as mine is yours"
Was the curse forgotten?
Size thought not OF it, but raised her
eyes TO his and whispered softly, the sweet
eyes sinking again Immediately
al love your And his lips sealed the
avowal.
Philip DarrclPs wish was granted, and
that brief wild happiness was his. But,
oh, IT was brief indeed, and no: even for
a moment was there peace. Once more
and now too late-rose up before him
all that he had trampled under foot and
seemed TO have crushed forever. lie
raised his head, which had been bowed
on hers, and sought to loosen his clasp;
but lima held his heart, and with a low
cry of pain clung to him, pressing her
golden head against his breast.
"No, no." she said passionately, "you
shall not put Inc from you? You have
done me no wrong TO love me and teach
me-ah, you could not help that Ito love
you. Heaven will not curse you'll will
not believe it,"
"llma, lima, hear mel"
M
the curse be true, you cannot save me" -
and noble triumph shone in the large
clear eyes that gazed now fell into his
1" for | love you, and | must now suffer
with you. Your fate must be mine,
Philip, whether for veal or woe; and, oh,
it would be thousand times better to die
with you than TO live without you."
"Hush, hush, darling, you break my
heart" But he stroyc no more to put
her from him, folding her closer and closer
to him. "Why should / be exempt from
the Gu that has been on all my house
for three hundred years; though indeed
such love as yours, lima, might redeem
the blacklist doom that ever fell on man?
Child, listen to me. | was yet youth
when vowed that no innocent life should
suffer for my love; and | believe that
could live my life without love. Once--it
was years ago. saw one whose face was
fair enough TO linger in my thoughts; and
1 feared and would not see her again; and
soon almost the bare memory of that face
passed away. Since then | have seen
many fair women in many countries, but
not one who could win me to break the
vow l had made. But, when saw you,
/ knew for the first time the force of the
power that had thought more under my
own control. | was master Of my own
heart 10 more. There was one being in the
world, through which had wandered SD
many years, who was TO enter into my life
and make 1t her own; ana that one was =
goIden-haired child, with c!oudless eyes
that spoke TO me a language they were not
conscious OF uttering."
lie paused moment; his voice failed
him; but lima whispered softly
at is SO sweet 10 think that it was my
lot first To win your heart, Philip, and
that even OH that morning when you saw
me OH the river bank you gave me what