The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-04

Hon she felt. and the hot words that
passed between them neither forgave
mi for one forgiveness was too late.
A week passed. during which the sis
ters never addressed each other except
when absolutely obliged TO do 500
week during which Gerald Weare was
aIways with his fances and Elaine stood
apart. seeing the love she had thought
TO be her own lavished upon another.
Then one night-that fatal night-Ada
had hurried from the theatre and in
sisted on going alone through the public
gardens. though Elaine had so far unbent
as to beg TO be allowed TO go with her.
The streets OF Sydney were scarcely safe
for any woman to traverse alone so lutte
at night, and the pretty actresses had
one admirer at least who would not I've
overscrupulous In the manner OF his
wooing, on whose account the pistol bad
been procured and It's use learned.
Against her earnest warning, Ada had
gone, and the sisters had never met
again.
THIS was all Elaine had to tell, and
Colonel Severn remained for awhile in
thoughtful silence. His own idea that
she was suffering for the sake Of some
one whom she wished to shield was o
| wrong one. He knew her to be as limo
cent az she had declared herself but
there was nothing In her story that
would clear her to the world-indeed 1t
would only go against her that, by her
own confessions. she had quarreled with
| her sister on account Of Gerald Weare,
| jealousy being the motive that caused
30 many crimes It would be more diff
cult than he Lad supposed to prove her
not guilty OF the fearful charge against
her
| Only one ray OF light showed through
the darkness. The young man, Robert
Field, maddened by jealous pain, might
| have murdered his sweetheart rather
than see her become the wife Of another.
But at this suggestion Elaine smiled
family. The young curate had not be-
longed to the church militant by any
means, and had had almost a womanish
dread Of destroying even inseet-life. He
was more likely to become victim to
melancholy madness.
(" And you can think Of no one else 1t
would be possible to suspect Z"
+" No one. Ada was a favorite with
! every one--had never made an enemy In
/ her life"
g Did any one know Of the existence
of this other loyers'
mo one" returned Elaine again and
then, suddenly remembering her last
conversation with Gerald Weare, she
added, hastily, Tam wrong. Some one
must have known, for when Mr.. Weare
was here he spoke Of it, but the knowl-
edge had come lately"
!" Why do you think SOP"
/" Because he spoke so bitterly of her,
/ and when he first heard Of her death he
was broken-hearted. Poor fellow, he
has altered terribly" Then she told
/ him what he had said that day-how, II
ever again she were forced to defend
herself, he could give evidence that
would transfer suspicion to some one
else. Not" she said, gravely, "that
we should lay too much stress on that,
for, unless ! misunderstood him, he
meant Robert Field; and l am sure
quite sure-that he would not have
raised finger to hurt her-no, not to
save his own life"
g 1t is always difficult to believe evil
of those we have known WE'LL" he re.
minded her.
II know that /; and l have no means
of proving what believe to be true. II
Is only an idea, an intuition; but"
"A woman's intuition is seldom
wrong"
He spoke rather absently, his thoughts
being far away with Gerald Weare.
" Elaine," he said, abruptly, would
you mind my leaving you for few days
l should like to see Mr.. Weare myself
and hear everything he has to tell.
shall be back in two or three days. You
might stay with Mary Featherstone-it
Is SO dreary for you alone"
No; | will stay here"
Thinking she was hurt at his leaving
her just then, he fastened to explain.
- Dearest, it is for your sake ! am
going. can not rest until your name
is cleared and you have no longer cause
for dread"
She looked up at him wistfully, the
light OF the sweet gray eyes half drown
ed in mist of tears.
g am happier in your love than Lever
hoped, ever thought it possible to be.
II ] grieve, it is for you, to whom all
! this is new and terrible. l thought
was strong enough to encounter fate ;
but now feel that should die if they
came and took me away from you. Oh,
George" she cried, passionately, ="
could bear the shame for myself, but not
for, you+oh, not for your
THAT shame shall never come. ]
swear will prove your innocence even
before it is called in question. Elaine,
belieYe me, there Is no reason for this
fear" .hAsAlEs~-Srs.~su, Il
Folded closely in his arms, the slight
frail figure leaning against his broad
form, the weary head pillowed on his
breast, the assurance bore with 1t ever
more weight than it deserved He was