The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-02-05
..Aud I've been alone the whole of

..And I've been alone the whole of
the afternoon.
IAN sorry, ma chere," he said,
coolly. "but why didn't YOU join usa"
Il was not invited; and so of course
preferred to remain indoors with Luz
lu."
Then YOU were not aloDe?n
Il might as well have BEEN" she an
swered, an ugly frown distorting her
face. Lulu. rs YOU know, is but a
paid companion. Wealth buys every
thing"
1T can not buy love" he answered,
quickly and coidly.
That may be. ~ she retortcd, with
violent start.
Hubert made no reply. apparently
desiring to drop the discussion. But
his wish was not to be gratilicd. She
watched him awhile in silence. then
said: Hubert, want YOU to answer
this question::
DO you truly and honestly love me
that Is, love me for myself alone?"
Flora spoke in firm tones; but her
form quivered with emotion, and her
eyes seemed to scorc,l him with their
steady stare.
No Flora.n he said. low. vet dis
tinctly, Il TO not love YOU; | never
have; never will! | would make
you my wife solely to obtain possession
of your fortune"
Flora Tourney sprang TO her feet
excltedIv NJ this unexpected declara-
ton. Her eyes glittered strangely and
a terrible expression gathered on her
face, but before she could utter sin
Gle word in reply Il dreadful peal of
thunder shook the old house to It's very
foundation, a binding flash Of light
ening filled the room with dreadful
splendor one instant. and, uttering a
deep groan, and tossing his hands
wildly aloft, Hubert 1el heavily upon
the floor at her feet, as if suddenly
stricken dead.
A scene of wild confusion followed.
While the majority of the house were
in Mysteries, Irene Rivers alone was
calm and collected. A messenger was
dispatched to New Orleans for medi-
cal aid; and after the lapse of some
hours he returned, bringing skillful
physician. who. on Il hastv cxamina-
ton, pronounced Hubert Adare dead.
The lightning had done its work in
simultaneously and eifectually, he said.
The night following the day of HUI
bert Adare's interment, Irene Rivers
sat alone in her chamber listening,
with bated breath. to the monotonous
ticking OF the big old-fashioned clock
in the ball below Hour after hour
passed by. Still she sat there. never
moving. never changing her position
in the least. The clock at length
struck one; ere its last vibrations died
away she started up. wrapped Il heavy
shawl about her. aud taxing from the
table matches and lamp She passed
from the room, gldei noiselessly down
the broad staircase and out of the
house into the dark. tempestuous
night.
A rapid walk of a few minutes du-
ration brought her to the entrance of
vaut-the last resting place of two
generations of FIourneys- situated in
the furthest corner of the ground upon
which the house stood, and which she
unlocked and entered, not. however
without Il feeling of terror creeping
over her. Lighting the lamp she car
ried, she made her way to coffin
which had lately been placed in the
vault. One instant she paused then.
trembling like an aspen, she loosed
the lid and threw it open.
Pale and rigid, Hubert Adarc lay
before her.
With half suppressed cry, the
frightened girl sank on her kuees beside
him, and seemed on the point OF faint
ing. This feeling, however, soon passed
away; she grew brave again, and,
springing TO her feet, she leaned over
the mction!ess form, pressed burning
kisses upon the lips. repeating his
name as she did so.
The effect was peculiar. A soft,
warm blush sutIuSed his face. meek.
and brow; the lips slightly parted; a
gentle thrill passed over the still form. |
and then the eyes slowly unclosed and |
looked wonderingly and s!eepily into
her face.
''Alivei Saved! Thank God, Thank |
God! cried Irene. throwing her arms !
about his neck, rs he partly rose in a
transport Of gratitude and JOY.
Neither Mrs. FIoarney nor Flora |
made any obieciioa when Irene Rivers
her intention Of going to
New Orleans, and hithcr she repaired. |
Hubert Adare WAS awaiting her, and |
they were quietly married and sailed |
Tor Mexico, in " hich country they took !
up their permanent residence