The Forrest City times., 1892-01-01
Dark DarreIl's Bride.
CHAPTER vm-coSrrsuEp.

CHATTER vIfL-CONTrSUED
 She knew now h this solitary self-com. muning-shrink from it as she would, self-analysis was forced upon her-that he was right about the flowers that 1t was because he had given them to her that she valued taem; she knew that he was more to her than all the world besides. And, oh, if hc loved her, why should the curse on his heabs blight his lifei She did not. would not, believe in it. There was no stain on his honor; the ban of Heaven could not be on such as he; and, if 1t were, she would rather die with him than live without him. But he was going away, and she was glad, for that might save him. She could not resist the influence of the general belief that deadly peril lay for the last of the Darrells in the Coalmere floods this year. Would he go without seeing hers She tremb.cd at the thought of fmeeting him again, and wept passionate ly at the thought Of not seeing him.
 Morning found the girl with no feeling of weariness; every pulse was beating high, and every sense on the alert. She rose before the sun was above the horizon. and, dressing quickly, went down to the stable and saddled Zulciks, and went for q ride. She rode miles before Miss Durnford had opened her eyes; and, when lima came in to breakfast, she looked e bright and fresh, and seemed 60 happy, that no one could have guessed how she had suffered and suffered still.
 Rose came over early to the Grange, and wanted lima to go back with her for . game of lawn tennis; and lima went, having no excuse for refusing; but she took care never to be alone with Roland. The shadow of the approaching Thursday hung over her like pail. She could not now avoid more than suspccting what Roland wanted to speak to her about i; and she shrank from that with dread that grew more and more as the day ap- preached.
 Meanwhile nothing was seen of Sir Philip Darrell. He was still at the Court {; all Scarth Abbott would have speedily known 1t If he had left.
 sMaybe, missy" said Job Heston grim- ly to lima, as she was crossing the lock bridge early on Wednesday morning, and met the miller, "he's setting his house in order at last; time he did, if he means to stop till the rains come. They'll be on us in day or two, or my names not Heston."
 "How do you know!" asked lima, with sinking heart.
 "Knowi Oh, can tell! His days arc numbered, missy"
 "I don't believe It," said lima steadily.
 "Don't you, missy? But then, you see, you're foreigner"
 "How do you know'" asked the girl. "What is meant by life for life Y That implies life possibly saycd.'
 "Suppose it did, missy, his would be lost," said Job grimIy; "and both must be lost"
 "Whyi A life is given if 1t Is given by the will actual death Is not a necessity"
 "Well, Of coursc," returned Heston, "the curse is doubtful to some extent ! but 1 fancy Sir Philip himself takes it rather that he'll lose his life some way. Don't be the other party, that's all, missy !; you're far to handsome to lose your life"
 lima turned away haughtily and walked on. Job stood and looked after her.
 "Is that to be 1t, wonder? he said to himself musingly. "The young Squire fancies her, or Pm much mistaken; but. 1T Sir Philips in the field, he'll wii,-no fear. Then the Squire isn't one to take it coolly fl his girl is taken away from him don't know what he'd do--something many wouldn't expect. As for the lord, he'd carry her on; that's the Darrell way"
 
 Thursday morning dawncd clear aud sunny; but luna awoke with heavy load of dread and grief on her heart. She could not meet Roland; he would txunt her about Sir Philip, and her face might bctray her. The dread grew to an over- mastering terror; and the girl determined to fly from the impending interview, the more so as Miss Durnford said at breakfast that she was going to visit some Of the poor people, and, as lima never accom-. panied her on these occasions, she would be left alone.
 "Whst are you going to do with your. self, my dearf" asked Miss Dnrnford.
 "I shall take rambie presently, sunty, perhaps"
 "very well, dear. How odd 1t is," continued Miss Durnford, tying her bon net.string," that Sir Philip has not been this way for so long! 1t makes me very to the uttermost."
 llma made no answer; and Miss Durn- ford went out with her mind tolerably at rest concerning Dark Darrell and her beautiful niece.
 Ilma walked with her aunt to the gate, and noted which road she took then she went back to the house, caught up her hat, aud left the premises the back way; but, instead of going towards the river, she took an opposite course,- running for some distance till she had put half mile or more of wood and field between herself and Scarth Abbot, and then she dropped into quick walk.