The Forrest City times., 1892-01-01

the end. But how the mere thought of his having been SO near-perhaps so re- cently--made her heart beat! And how, argue az she would, her lips qnivered and her eyes gaxed fearfully before her with every onward step she took! How she started at every rustic of leaf, e though che expected to see an elnn creature in- stead of bird shoot forth from the brakei
 Another turn, and no sign yet of the end of the long winding Harki What was thats The girl stopped abrup- ly. A sudden flight of birds from out Of the thick f~"age .arce hundred paces ahead. What had startled themi In another second dark object came round the turning--uot the knight of the legend, with cross-hilted, sword elevated before him, but Sir Philip mountel oR Hassan, and gazing before him with such look as strong proud men wear when they are fighting . stern battle with their own pas sions, and know that they are losing ground inch by inch. But this lima had not time to see; for he had recognized tho slight form standing In the soft twi- light of the glen at the instant that he passed the curve; and . wild joy lighted up his face, and the last frall barrier the strong will had striven to uphold tottered and fell.
 Not even pausiny to draw bridle, he sprang from his horse, and was at llma's side, her hands clssped in his, before the startled steed had halted.
 "limx, lima, he cried-and his whole heart went out to her in the passionate utterance--" oh, my life, my soul, can strive no longer! Why have you come te tempt me"
 nct 1sf hA was trembling violently. Her golden head droooed, aud her eyes sank before his. How could she meet the look that would have told her tho whole glorious truth If his lips had been silent and his hand had never touched hersi
 .Ilmai' Now his arms were round her, her heart was throbbing against his, and his lips sought hers. "llma, my darling, I know that you love me. Let me hear you say 1t. Raise those dear eyes and look into mine, and tell me that your life is mine, as mine is yours"
 Was the curse forgotten?
 She thought not of it, but raised her eyes to his and whispered softly, the sweet eyes sinking again immediately
 sH love youw And his lips sealed the avowal.
 Philip Darrelps wish was granted, and that brief wild happiness was his. But, oh, it was brief Indeed, and no. even for . moment was there peace! Once more and now too late--rosc up before him all that he had tramplcd under foot and seemed to have crushed forever. He raised his head, which had been bowed on hers, and sought to loosen his clasp; but lima hold his heart, and with low cry of pain chung to him, pressing her golden head against his breast.
 sNo, no," she said passionately, "you shall not put me from you9 You have done me no wrong to love me and teach me-ah, you could not help that Ito love you. Heaven will not curse you'll will not believe It."
 "Ilma, lima, hear mey'
 "No, now she cried again. "Even if the curse be true, you cannot save me" = and . noble triumph shone in the large clear eyes that gazcd now fell into his-- " for | love you, and must now suffer with you. Your fate must be mine, Philip, whether for veal or woe; and, oh, it would be thousand times better to die with you than to live without you"
 "Hush, hush, darling, you break my heartw But he strove no more to put her from him, folding her closer and closer to him. .sWhy should I be exempt from the GU that has been on all my house for three hundred years; though indeed such love As yours, lima, might redeem the blackest doom that ever fell on manf Child, listen to me. was yet youth when vowed that no innocent life should suffer for my love; and I believe that I could live my life without love. Once-it was years ago--I saw one whose face was E-f ~A s~r f.~ l feared and would not see her againj and soon almost the bare memory of that face passed away. Since then have seen many fair women in many countries, but not one who could win me to break the VOW l had made. But, when saw you, I knew for the first time the force of tho power that had thought more under my own control. l was matter of my own heart no more. There was one being in the world, through which had wandered so many years, who was to enter into my life and make it her own; anu that one was goIdcn-haired child, with cloudless eyes that spoke to mo language they were not conscious of uttering."
 He paused . moment; his voice failed him; but lima whispered softly
 "It is 70 sweet to think that It was my lot first to win your heart, Philip, and that even on that morning when you saw me on the river bank you gave me what must ever Dc mine."
 "Ay," he said bitterly; "but I should have been stronger. did struggle, Heav- en knows, to conquer, but not till had madly flung myself into temptation-till had sought you defying my fate, aud giving my whole heart to you; and then, when 1 believed you loved me, Iima--ah forgive mo for the cruel test put you to, and never blrsh, now dear one, that your heart betrayed truth it did not recognisei --I thought the last cord that bound mo had snapped. Yet made no more effort to be true to myself. On that last evening that I saw you I resolved to keep away from you-I would try to discover whether your love was but girPs fAncy-and in one second of time all was swept to the winds of heaven, save only my love for you. And now must your dear life be sacrificed for minci Oh, lima, when you will not believe my evil tate, 1t is your great love that speaks! But, even so, is my guilt the less m winning yous-for I cannot plead doubt"
 "Guilt." The girl almost smiled. .Your heart, think, spokebctter in that than your reason. You know am not an utter sceptic, Philip. 1 was at first; but, after what heard, could be so no longer. But why is there only one reading to the fui- fiiment of the prophecy? You all allow it so be ambiguous, yet believe that 1t can point only to the extinction of your house."
 i" Life Tor life,'" repeated Darrell; ssand gladly would my life be laid down for you, lima; but, even then, should not bring to you bitterest woe."