The Dickinson press., 1892-02-13
CHAPTER XII.

before a beautiful young widow, who seem.
ed still q child"
CHAPTER XII.
"Lurline is my wife now, and 1 will not
,ay one word against her. l will not even
say that 1 could do so. She was certainly
the most beautiful. the most fascinating
woman l had ever seen. She looked so
young that it was almost impossible to be-
a widow; but l knew atterward that she
was at least ten years older thar we thought
her. l will not describe her to you; you
will see her and judge for yourself.
Nellie continued Mark, 'there is as
great a difference between you and Lurline
valley and gaudy artificial camellia. /
saw it afterward; but at first she took my
senses captive, and held them in thrall. I
remember how she puzzled me, how l
watched her. One OF the first things that
s,ruck me was the subtle odor of sweet vio-
thing belonging to her-her sables, shawls,
books fans, glloves-eyerything had the
same sweet odor of fresh violets. That
charmed me. Oh, Nellie, I was a rash
foolish coward, but l never thought of
loving her, and l never dreamed of marry-
ing any one but you'll Every man on board
was in love with her; but she favored me
sAA "k~o WS0 SAS06"S yONA6 oAA OiAS
enough to be tlattered by this preference,
to feel proud and delighted when the little
court of admirers had to make way for me,
when she laid that white gemmed hand OF
hers on my arm, dismissing the rest
with a little nod of the head, saying,
I will accompany you, Lord Severne. /
should like q quiet promenade
"1tpleased ME to mark hot angry jeal-
ousy in other mems eyes; it pleased me to
note how they enyied every mark of pref
erence which this beautiful woman show
cred upon me. Still, Nellie, l never dream
ed of being false to you.
"At first l was attracted by her great
beauty, her fascination, her low sweet voice
her nameless charm of dress and manner,
then by her decided, open preference for
me shown at all times and in all places.
II never thought that rank, title, or
money. had anything to do with il; 1 be.
lieved it was myself alone that she cared
man than myself might have succumbenl
l shall never forget the nights OH the ocean,
with the stars like golden meteors in the
sky, the sea dark, silent, mysterious and
solemn. Such nights they were-the sea
and sky so calm, and that beautiful face
me love, and it will never die; she taught
me passion, and it is dead!
II began to forget you, my darling. 1
must tell you the whole truth. The men,
DRY of the sweet face under the lilacs grew
fainter; the passionate beautiful face
OF the woman who showed this
marked preference for me almost mad
dened ME for q time.
There can be no excuse for me, Nellie.
I offer non But remember that for the
first time in my life I was tlattered by all
the subtle batteries that q clever and beau
tiful woman could use. The balance ofmy
reason was gone. She had reused passion
that vof Woo mt 1Ovo in INV hoort p,,-
driven on by the anger of those whom she
sighted for me; and II night-one fatal
night, when the moon was shining brill
liantly, and the sea was calm as a lake-we
stood together at the end of the vessel. Her
fair white hand stole into mine; her beau
emotion, her eyes glistening with tears. l
forgot you, Nellie; l forgot honor, truth,
and loyalty. l bent down to kiss her, and
We'll, / cannot tell you how it happened.
Iamspeaking the truth, Nellie. 1 would not
hide one thought from you. l feel surethat
when | bent my head to kiss her l had no
thought OF asking her to DO my wife; but
Nellie, love, listen-from that mo-
ment to this I have never had
one single happy moment-notone. There
could be no drawing back-no hesitation
even, for / found the next day that the
whole of the passengers knew that Lord
Severne and the beautiful Mrs. Nugent were
engaged.
Weak ss,e co " Sly, disloyal.ah, yes !
horribly. From that hour to this 1 have
been a miserable man, for I found out that
it wa you | had loved after all, and that
the love of the lad was better than the pas
sion OF the nan There were times when
resolved on telling her. but it would have
hppn nSalaSc Shn ho1 IociaoI nm =, n "
ing me, and l knew that my intentions
were quite secondary to hers. When it
was 90 late, my heart went back to its first
allegiance. l found my engagement to
this woman of the world a very business
IKE matter. There was no nonsense, no
delay. We were married three weeks after
the Queen OF the Seas reached London.
"Ah, Nellie. you ave suffered, but my
rain has been greater. My conscience
gave me no rest. Night and day your inn
age was with me, night and day my folly
and cowardice We're ever before me. I
known that your mother was dead, and
tnat you were waiting for me in the old
home alone, l should have gone to you, 10
matter what had happened; but your letter
did not reach me-"
cit was returned to me-" I interposed,
CAS- soon as my affairs were settled" he
continued, II went abroad. I.urline pre-
ferred 1t. She said she never cared to live
in England and, i'll truth l was indifferent
on the subject, knowing that no place
could ever be the same to me again. At
Mentone we met the Yorkes, and l liked
them very much. 1 was a miserable,
haunted. gloomy man. My wealth brought
me no happiness. because l had lost YOU
l found rest IN talkingto Lady Yorke. She
seemed to think had some great sorrow
in my life. / do not suppose l should have
returned to England, at least for some
years, had not imperative business COM
PEELED me to 20 to Severne Court a lew
weeks ago. Oh, Nellie, there are some dis
appointments too bitter. too great for
words! l shall return to Italy; I cannot
"Why?" l. asked.
His face clouded, an angry glenn came
and despair.
81 cannot tell you why, Nellie, but my
life is bligghted. 1 cannot stay anywhere
asked.
Never" was the gloomy reply. "The
punishment Of my folly is that shall be a
But why, Mark-why2" l cried, begin
ming to forget my " trouble in his.
There are some things that a man can
not speak Of" he replied, cannot even
think OF, or lay bare to his own heart.
This sorrow Of mine is one ofthem."
Then Mark" i could not help
life without securing your own"
THAT is just what l have done, Nellie.
Between the remorse I feel at the loss o.
you and the sorrow of my secret, l am the
most miserable man in the world"
All, Mark, my lover. l read in your face