Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-03-11
SIDNEY Lorraine,
Or, Tho Counts Burden.
CHAPTER III. CONTINUED.

0aVe you-naNe You known her lOng!"
The greater part of my life. She is
o ward of my fathers"
Tell me more as he paused, "do not
fear to talk to me. You see for your.
self | am quite calm again, and should
like to know everything. Oh, it will
come right again, never fearl-for you,
! mean, when you go home, II you have
known her and loved her so long. This
will then seem an interlude."
He turned his eyes, full of pain, to-
ward her, where she stood above him.
Il can say nothing" he said, as he had
said once before; and, as the words had
touched her then, SO they touched her
now.
do not mind me-" she cried, quickly
do not heed my words. am jealous,
you see, that she should have been SO
much To you, and for SO long, and that
i should only have known you for
fortnight. 1t is jealousy, miserable jeal-
Ousy. But, Esme, she would forgive
me, think, even if she learns all this
in the future-if she knew. also, how
much have suffered tonight
And | too. You know that, do you
not2 And it is all my fault. My suffer
ing, and yours, and-all the previous
mlstake-there is no one TO be blamed
but myself"
1T was a mistake" she repeated,
drearily. "Ah. why do men make such
mistakes? Tell me"-speaking low and
breathlessly-"did you love her? What
am | saying? OF course you did! You
have told her so hundreds of times
and-only month agol"
She was standing in the embrasure of
the window. and she wrung her hands
together with certain despairing gest-
hnr, of hnr nair onH hnr ~
Hearing her. Count Lindenheim stood
up. and, coming near, put his arm about
her. He was SO tall that when he held
her thus in his firm hold she was power
less 10 move.
Listen" he said, in clear, determin-
ate tones, and with one burning hand
over her clasped ones. You shall hear
me once, and you shall believe me. Do
not taunt me with the past; it was a
mistake. shall go back TO her, l shall
tell her so. She is good woman: she
will give me back my freedom, If she
doeS'-his arm was now clasped more
tightly about herr will come back,
and will remind you Of to-night-of
your tender words, your tender looks"
And if she will not?" 1t was sgd
ney's voice that asked the question
Sydney'S voice, so low that lie had to
She felt the clasp of his hand tighten,
but his voice was steady as he answer
ed, Then in some happy future you
must forget me-" But his voice faltered
as he spoke.
81 cannot, | cannot" she cried, and
he felt the quickened heartbeats, the
passionate vibration Of her voice. "Oh,
come back to me"
when come back" he answered. Il
will say all to YOU that | am forbidden
to say tonight. When l come back"
his voice losing its determination and
growing tender and loving, IL Will ask
for the kiss that will not take tonight.
Now, | will only" putting her at lit
tie distance from hint will only look
at you once more. and ask you to trust
me. 1t will not be for very long, but
trust me until you see me again. VIII
you promise?"
II promise" she answered. do not
believe me except when | say that L
trust you. and Will trust you until l see
you again"
He shivered little after her words,
and il served TO remind her of what'she
had wellnigh forgotten.
you ought not TO be here" she said.
tenderly. You know you promised
that, If | would listen to what you had
to say, you would take care of yourself
afterward. And it is not taking care
STAYING in this cold, dark rooms it,"
II am happy here" he answered-he
was walking restlessly up and down the
long room-"and who knows" BIT
his words were cut short by cough.
Don't scold me-" he said breathlessly;
Il told you had caught cold. | will go
to bed, and begin to take care, or ! shall
not be fit tor my journey tomorrow"
Il do not think you will be fit any
how she answered, looking anXiously
at him, but it is as well to try. So
goodnight; am going back to father"
He took her hand in his. Good
night he said; then of a sudden, kneel-
ing before her, he lifted it TO his lips.
you are good" she said, gently. 81
am sure you are good. Forgive me if
have been unkind. 1t is only because |
am so very, very unhappy" And, with
these words. she stopped and lightly
kissed the fair bent head.
But the Journey on which so much de-
pended was not TO be taken on the NOR
row. The Fates interposed. and sgd
ney Lorraine scarcely knew whether TO
be most glad or sorry when she learnt
in the morning that there was no chance
of Count Won Lindenheim leaving their
house that day.
Or his ROOM, MIR. Lorraine added.
-IIe has had bad night, and is fever
ish and i'll this morning. / hope" with
unusual sharpness. that Mrs. Robert
son is sufficiently grateful for her imp,
and will not encourage its 0oweT-gatn-
ering propensitieS."
Sydney, who was walking across the
room, stopped and kissed the gray head.
"Ahl she was grateful, father, we
know that; and even we" with little
smile, would not have had it other
wise. Although" after a moments
pause, there certainly are a great many
children in the world"
And only one Esme Won Lindenheim,
eh?"
She did not answer; but moment
Inter began arranging some faint-scent-
cd creaIn-colored roses and fern leaves
II q glass.
"YOu can take them up with you,
father. when you go; it will show that
he is not forgotten. And tell him that
though | grieve for the reason, sill
am glad he is not going away TO day.
You are listening, father, you will not
forget?7
do ever forget?' And inproofthat