The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-04
PART ".
CHAPTER L-(CoNTINURD.)
A STRANGE TIE,


his little love the knowledge how he had
won his burden by an effort to save her
. from danger he feared impending, to try
to solve the double mystery Of her words.
That it was Royal who, OF course, had be-
trayed HIM through the gypsy woman, was
of little consequence since he was so be-
trayed.
Had he guessed the truth he would have
shrunk still further from the Is SIX of telling
his story which even now was so terrible
one to him.
But since she wished it 80 nobly he could
not but obey.
There is not much to tell, he said,
speaking quickly, as if eager to get his task
over and not without a catch in his breath
now and then, which told Of itself of the
pain the effort cost him. 81 came to London
from abroad, as you know, in December to
meet my father. missed him at the station
but managed to render young girl slight
service, which as learned almost directly
after, had left her free to run into a greater
danger yet. To save her from this l fol-
lowed her rashly alone to a house, and there
in her defense lifted a weapon which ex-
ploded in my hand. swear 1 did not fire
or mean to-"
81 know, l know" she said. II saw it
all"
And she shu 1dered convulsively. But her
lover did not heed, asking excitedly: "You
saw, NeIlie' You we're that girl to whom
l sent the money, but you never reached
that house. 1t was another girl"
mo, no. 1t was lat least, l was there
SIS we'll / heard the noise below, and
rushed down ia terror, and so know ALL"
she shivered again with horror, in which
there was no particle OF fear, because, at
last, she had broken her oath.
In great astonishment Leo cried;
you we're there-you saw all. Is it
possible! and did not know. All, but my
senses left me somehow, almost as | saw
him fall"
did you think l could have believed
such charge against you on that womans
word" asked Nellie, gently. Twas bound
by 40 oath to that man to hide this from
you, and tell you it was my illness took
away my sight. 1t was not that at all
Leo; it was taken that | might never be-
tray what bad SEEM"
"Great heavensl" cried Leo, once more a
victim TO most cruel amazement but I'M
able at the moment 10 follow entirely the
train of thought. They, those men in the |
house, told me my sin was hidden. | did |
not guess that your eyes wers the price,
Nellie" and his voice came in a low. pain |
full whisper. You don't believe knew of |
this-that despite my crime / would have
saved myself that way?'
''Not for one moment, Leo" she replied
For a moment again there was silence
Nellie clinging to her lover to give and gain
wordless comfort.
Then she once more bravely lifted her
head, and set to her task Of seeing what
could be done for the best, though heaven
only knew how heavy her heart was within
her.
"They, those men in the house. you say
hid your crime for you" she said in tone
of deep thought. "Why should they have
done thisg'
"They might themselves have been inn
plicated,n
Nellie shuddered to think OF the danger
she had run, all uuknowing the true mystery
of her father being one of those same men.
But the slight hope which had risen In her
heart, on receiving such an efficient reason
for the wish Of Leo's companions in the
murder to hide it, died away.
Yet her brave spirit did not faint, nay,
became the stronger from her kno Wedge OF
her despair.
"You speak truly there, but at least IL is
strange that /, who unknown to you shared
your secret, should have been thrown in
your path again, should love you, and
above all, should have saved you Just now
=
'Strange that my guilt should chain you
30 me9 Ay, Nellie strange and terrible.
Once more tell you leave me before my
sin brings any new shadow of evil upon
you"
Never. will never leave you,n she re-
piled, passionately. 81 will not give up
hope. Trust me, believe in me, as have,
as do, IN you. Let me save you entirely"
''Were it possible, who better than you
could do it. But what can you dog
The words slipped out almost uncon-
sciousy in his bitterness, he could have
bitten his tongue out the moment they were
spoken, for the girls head drooped in her
hands with pitiful sob.
YES what can doa A poor. weak, fear
full girl, blind aGd helpless, that even we're
there some mistake, some trickery, /, who
know all. could never tell, if you are inno-
cent or guilty indeed. All that had my
eyes, II but for few brief moments With
out them what can do-what can dog
Forgive me, dear. aud leave me-" said
Leo in "a choking voice. There is no hope
none, none"
"Ah. no, do not despair, Leo for my sake
Something within me tells me there is yet
something to be done, If not TO lift our bur-
den entirely, at least to tighten it. 1t may
be hard task, but weak, helpless, blind as
am, will undertake it. Lift your head,
Leo, look up and tell me you hope, at least,
/ shall succeed"
Nellie, believe, ay. do believe, God
helping you, you will" said Leo, devoutly
'My darling, you have put new life, new
heart into me. feel now as if once more
loan face, at least, the present"
And once more he folded her in his arms,
kissing the lips which bade him hope q
thousand times in an ecstacy of love and
gratitude.
But after little Nellie drew herself
gently away.
Every moment is precious to us as life"
she said II must 60 now, for cannot too
soon begin my task. Ny father has been,
eh, so kind; but i have not dared to tell
him what has parted US. Now he shall
know all, and he will help me. Together
for your sake, we cannot fail"
Leo did not think it well to tell her that
her father had known of his sin all through,
for he saw now, without, however, dream
ing the truth, that Sir Lawrence's leniency
had been madness, dictated by his all pow
ertul love for his child.
And 80 they parted, Nellie to set about
her sell -imposed task, Leo to wait and as
he had promised, hope. Alas he had for
gotten how in his delirium OF terror,
already be had taken a step which made
both alike useless
CHAPTER II.