Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-02-18

one single happy moment-noto one. Tier.
could be no drawing hack-no hesitation
| wen, for found the next day that tbs
whole of the passengers knew that LORI
Sevcrnc and the beautiful Mrs Nurent w.r,
engaged
'Weak. cowardly, dsoyal-ah, YES
know was all that! But i have suffered
horribly. From that hour to this huyt
been Il miserable man, Tor found out ha,
it was you l had loved alter all and ,h.f
me love OF the lad was better than the pas.
sion o! the man. There We're times When
| resolved on telling her, but it would huv,
teen useless. She had decided on marry
ing me. and l knew that my intentions
were quite secondary to hers. When i:
was 90 late, my heart went back 20 it. fist
allegiance. l found my engagement IL
Ills woman OF the world very bushes,
Ike matter. There was no nonsense, NC
delay. We were married three weeks alter
the Queen o: the Seas reached lo"dru.
Ah. Nellie. you lave suffered, but my
lain has been greater. Nv cons fence
gave me no rest. Night and day your i'm.
age was with me, nigh. and day my folly
and cowardlce We're ever be.ore me.
Ionged yet dreaded to see YOU. If | had
known that your mother was dead, and
That you We're waiting for me in the old
home alone, should have gone TO YOU no
matter what had happened; but your letter
did not reach me-"
sit was returned to me-" l interposed,
CAS- soon as my affairs We're settled" he
continued, 81 went abroad. l.urline pre-
lerrcd 1t. She said she never cared to live
in England and, in truth was indifferent
on the subject, knowing that no place
could ever be the same TO me again. At
Mcntonc we met the Iorkes, and l liked
them very much. | was miserable,
haunted, gloomy man. My wea til brought
me no happiness because had lost you.
found rest IN talking to Lady Yorkc. 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 go to Severne Court a ew
weeks ago. Oh, Nellie, there are some dis
appointments, too bitter, too great for
words! shall return to Italy; / cannot
live in England"
"Why?" / asked
His face clouded. an angry CLEAN came
into the eyes which had been full of pain
and despair.
81 cannot tell you why, Nellie, but my
life is blighted. 1 cannot stay anywhere
Shall YOU ever live at Seyerne Court?" I
asked.
Never" was the gloomy reply. 1.-THE
punishment of my folly is that Shall be a
wanderer on the lace Of the earth"
But why, Mark-why?" l cried, begin
ming to forget my own trouble in his.
There are some things that man can
not speak Of he replied, cannot even
tn Of, or lay bare to his own heart
saying as / looked sadly at him,
you have ruined all the happiness of my
life without securing your own"
That is just what / have done, Nellie.
Between the remorse l feel at the loss Of
you and the sorrow Of my secret am the
most miserable man in the world"
All, Mark, my lover, l read in your face
that your folly had cost you dear! We
sat III silence for some time the wind STIR
ring the lilac branches and bearing to US
sweet gusts Of perfume. We had not been
there an hour, and already it seemed to me
an eternity. | knew that we must part.
Then the full force OF my misery rushed over
me like lava tide. How could ever
take up the duties oflife again? NV heart
and soul had no strength no life Where
should l turn for help or comfort? For
alas! ] had given my whole heart to a
man who had married another and had
forgotten me!
mark, what shall l do with the rest Of
my liie?" l asked YEARLY. 81 cannot die
just because | wish to die I am like ship
without a ruddcr Love ofyou, whether
living or dead has hitherto filled my life.
What am to do?"
81 cannot tell, Nellie" he replied. care
you happy here with Lady Yorker"
"Ycs-as happy as l could be anywhere
without you" replied.
Then DO notgo away. We will do that,
not you. We will remain for few days;
then shall say that am summoned to
the Court on business. Nellie, forgive me
for what / am going to say. All l have in
the world ought to have been yours-ani l
you what will keep you in comfort and af-
fiuence."
l could not be angry; his eyes were full
Of tears. and his lips quivered.
No" | replied, gently, you must not
do that, Mark. do not care for money. I
would rather have had Que true word OF
love from your lips than all the money you
possess"
81 should be so much happier, Nellie, il
you would let me do this. Let me buy for
you pretty little home. In the midst of my
misery, let me have the one CLEAN of COM
fort that you have no worldly cares"
mop | CRIED with quick impatient
scorn: Can you not understand that I
would rather-a thousand times rather
die ofhunger by the roadside than accept
even one crumb of bread from your hands?"
y, Twill you ever forgive me?" he said. "In
the years to come when you remem Der
that l am-ah, thousand times!-more
unhappy than you, and when you remem-
Der that l can find no comfort because it is
all my fault, will you not try to forgive me?
Think OF me as you did; forget this inter
val of folly and falsehood. Think only of
Mark with his honest lads love- forget
Mark. the man who failed you-will you,
Nellie?'
TO BE CONTINUED.
FROM THE PHONOGRAPH