The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-03-08

his own future wife. M0rlQulta MarllIlef
the sister-in-law of Naomi Mariquita, the
Auguste Delmarl The ghost of the past
had risen up against HIM, too; the after
math was sprouting, and the mills of God
were grinding, not slowly now, but rap
There could be no second way. Cost
what it might all around, this marriage
must be prevented il II broke Geoffrey's
high standard of morality. She was
utterly ignorant of life a. it is; and she
was of the school which makes no distinc-
ton between men and women. She had
often said that her love for him was 30
great because of her respect.
Still it had to be done. Come what
would, he must be 90 far faithful to that
highefiaw which sacrifices ease and hap
piness and love to duty and to right.
1t was impossible to 60 to Ivy Lodge for
the next day or two, but Hubert wrote to
Godfrey, asking him what he knew of
this fascinating widow other than of her
own report, and what he knew of her past
history. He ought to be sure who it was
whom he was trusting, and whom he pro-
posed to give as a daughter to his mother
and sister to Naomi
The boy wrote back an indignant letter,
but babe Hubert come himself to Ivy
Lodge and join the party. He could not
IeSiSt ucl, no one COutO. ne would De
ashamed of ever having doubted her!
How well Hubert understood it all! The
false modesties, the artificial refinement,
the high poetic moralities said beneath the
moon. the lies, receptions practiced in the
face of day, the cleverness which made
lnfamy look like purity overcome by love,
and gave to the putrescent simmer of cor
ruption the glory of Gods own sun! He
knew it all, and understood the net in
which she had taken these dear ones in
their quiet Devonshire home.
They met alone on the sand, where he
sat with Naomi on that blessed day of
summer only SO short time ago by the
passage Of day, but 50 long.,lons as
II give you your choice" he said.
Leave the house as you like-secretly or
Openly-take your own way of rupture
break the engagement and set the boy free
at any cost, or will break it by telling all
know. In the former way you keep your
fame here, in the latter you lose it. The
marriage has to be cancelled in either
case"
by the first Mr.. Hubert Gainsborough
escapes scot free; by the last he suffers
with me-" said Mariquita quietly.
That know and / am prepared for"
was Hubert's answer.
And, And esompanionship in misfortune is
really set upon this absurd bit OF Quixotism
you shall smart for it, mon cher. am
not disposed to be made the scapegoat and
sent into the wilderness carrying your sin
as my own. We will go away together"
81 am ready" said Hubert sternly.
ITO give up Naomi?''
Godfrey"
She laughed in hooking kind of way.
You were not such tepid lover to me-"
she said. Il do not think you would have
given up me for any such high falutin' NOR
atty. At least l know that Mr.. Delmar-
my husband then-and the seventh COM
mandment did not terrify you."
Il did not give you up till knew you."
said Hubert. "While l believed in You. /
would have gone down into hell for
your
And l for you," she said. suddenly
changing her tone. For l loved YOU.
Hubert. loved you faithfully, loved Won a.
! had never loved before nor have since.
had to deceive You. Lost as was. how
could | tell my sad story to a man so
young as you were then, with all your
illusions unbroken? 1t would have Killed
you. But | loved you'll loved YOU. NV
darling, and you loved me. Will not the
memory of that love soften you. / want
only the opportunity to be good. am
been the victim of cruel fate, but I was
never really vicious. Help me to redeem
myself-to make Geoffrey's life blessed as
can and will make it. He will never
know: | will be so good to him. Helm
me, Hubert, for old loves sake!'
She spoke with uncomfortable passion.
Her words flowed like stream of fierv
lava, snd as she uttered her last appeal she
kneit on the sands at his feet and took his
hands in both of hers, carving il 10 her
lips. ~ ''e'
Hubert was unnerved. If it really was
her last chance. what responsibility Law
upon him. Genuine tears came INTO her
eyes and her painted lips quivered with as
genuine emotion. Hubert put his hand