The Dickinson press., 1892-03-05
Shall be l1nkeu on the love OF the past,
Where the houseless shall seek q shelter,

"a demon holds me in his grasp-takt
me from himl"
Then, with tears of regret and repent
anee utterly ,. exhausted she fell into D,
And II Well, l knew so little ofthe
hold this terrible vice takes ofits victim:
that, as / held her closely c'asped in my
arms in the light Of the morning sun, ]
thought she was saved, and tears o
gratitude filled my eyes: though
the sweet influences of the fair sum
grace from heaven had fallen like dew up
on her soul.
l let her sleep as long as she could. anc
then Martha came back. We laid he
down pale and exhausted, on her bed. ]
whispered my hope to the old nurse. She
said---
"Please Heaven! But l have seen her
worse than ever a few hours ~afterward."
Despite these words, l had a hope.
"Further and fainter the song died out,
But l heard the angels STILL"
CHAPTER XVI.
My hope was vain. A few days after
ward Lady Severne was, to use the nurses
phrase, worse thar ever. The blow thai
Lady Yorke had feared fell; the terrible TX
pose which she had dreaded came. She
came down to dinner, and was careful
face and on Lady Yorke's. On the third
day al awful occurrence happened. Wheth-
er Martha was tired, off her guard, or in ig.
norance oil what vas going on, l know not
Perhaps Lady Severne had deceived her. ]
know only the results. Martha dressed hel
ladyship lor dinner, and Lady Severne asked
for a tavorite dress Others, a handsome white
o,,.l ,vN1< >r,noJn ,ntt,, Afnrttp ,rnr 10
lighted that she should take so great an in-
terest in appearances; that was always n
goodsign. She evidently did not perceive
anything wrong in Lady Severne, or posi-.
bly, the mischief was done after she left her.
We were all in the drawing-room, waiting
for the dirner-bell, Lord Severne was
talking to Captain Forester, more at ease
many days; and Lady Yorke looked as
though a great load had been taken from
her mind. Some one had Just inquired il
we should have the pleasure of seeing Lady
Scvcrne at dinner. and Lady Yorke had
answered, with Il bright smile. that she
was much better and would certainly
join them, vhen the door opened,
threshold, say, the CLEAN of white and gold,
saw the light in the diamonds, the grace
full figure, the white jeweled hands. Alas,
alas, how shall l tell it? In one moment
saw what was the matter--so did Mark and
Lady Yorke; and we all three fastened
toward her. Her face was CHASTITY, her eyes
were wild, and a leering smile lowered on
her lips. Half conscious herselfthat she
was not ableto move: yet with a mad de-
walk with a dignified step into the room
and, before one ofus could save her. she
had fallen upon her face to the dismay and
distress OF every II present. In less than
q minute. Lord Sevcrne had raised his wife
in his arms and borne her away.
Lady Iorkc, with a presence of mind |
haye never seen cqualed;; but with a face
white as death, turned to her guests.
Lady Severne las fallen over her train"
she said quietly. II wish those long sweep
ing trains were out of fashion; they are very
dangerous"
There was Il polite murmur of regret. bu,
no one spoke. Whether any of those as,
selnbled there knew the truth, had really
seen and understood her condition, l can.
spoke OF her after that.
The same evening Mark, with an effort
for which | admired him. returned to the
drawing-room and spoke o, his wife. His
visit to Westwood, he said. had been a
pleasant one, but he was afraid the air did
not suit Lady Sevprne. She had not been
we'll since her arrival, and he thought il
WOulu De DeLleT LOT tleln 10 go.
l believe every heart in the room ached
for him; he looked so anxious and SO sad.
There were a few words o regret from the
visitors, q kindly-expressed hope that Lady
Severne would so"n recover. Not one word
OF suspicion was brca:hcd; but there was o
strange quiet. No II talked much; we
had no music, no singing. One or two
spoke OF leaving Westwood, and .here was
over all an indetlnable shadow and gloom
/ n for on NnrI aIIun, sr,r ,,~ r..
the first time, said
"Nellie, see-there are several people ont
on the terrace enjoying the moonlight.
want to say good-by to you. ! shall never
see you again. Will you Gomez"
went. My heart was filled with an
guish and despair, q horrible restless pain.
He was going away-Mark, who had been
lover-in distress and sorrow, and WI
were never to meet again.
We stood together, as we had So many
times before, in the bright moonlight, and
Mark raised his haggard face to mine.
You know my secret now, Nellie?" lie
said.
Heaven help you, Mark" 1 answered,
with tears.
You have been very good to my IN.
e eePpy Ml'e nSo SH naY fer pfSh your be Ielfs
Nellie, that if any one could do her good
it would be you. She loves you, she seems
to have a certain faith and trust in YOU
He looked at me wistfully. 81 dare not
ask you-you would not, of course-you
would not in any way take charge of her
travel with us? All, mol IN mad to think
ofsuch a thingi"
had ever had to do in my lie.
mo, l could not do that. The wide
world mnst lie between US, Mark, for ever
more I will thihk OF you, but see yon
.gain---neverl"
You are right, Nellie, and 1 have no
ease. TO complain. 1t is all my own fault.
have paid a bitter price for my weakness
md folly--only Heaven knows how bitter;
What shall you do?" l asked, looking
With loving, longing eyes at the dark hand
ONE face. SO humble and so sad.
II shall do my best, Nellie. After to-
hight l have done with the world. [ will
never visit nor receive visitors again; l have
inished with society. Icannot bear the dis
sr.ace; but shall do my best for my hapless
wife. broke one vow | will not break
!nother. 1t was for better, for worse;and it is
or the worse. l shall take her away from
england, find some place where there are
ew temptations, and take the greatest care
If her. There is no hope, l fear; but l will
10 my best until the very end. l fastened
heyoke around my own neck;I must bear it
With patience and courage. l say good. bye
! would rather die a thousand deaths than
'iSk such a scene again. l am go ng from
light to darkness. There is one thing only
hat can make NE less sad and less sorrow
ul.'
What is it. Mark?" 1 asked, with fast
alling tears.
at is this, Nellie - that before 1
rN van will raw s-