The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1893-07-01
like death itself, her voice was serehe-
ly calm and cool. 5=

! like death itself, her voice was serehe-
ly calm and cool. 3*z
One evening some months later, they
were all in the music room together,
Hester at the piano, her slender fin
gers running istlessly over the keys.
Inez, radiant in. her imperial beauty,
| resting in a low easy chair, with Roy
Beldon lingering at her side =.
Deane' Stanley had been abroad on
business, and he had just returned Me
day before, and now he stood leaning
idly against the piano, a peculiar ex-
preston in his eyes, as they rested on
Roy Beldon. - . -
DO you know, Roy" he said, II
! am more generous than ever deemed
! my self, for were I not, the story I
am going to tell, would be untold,
till after your wedding day"
Something in his voice had startled
them from their composlre, and Inez'
| beautiful face had grown strangely
pale.
Suddenly Deane went over to her
! side.
Confess the TRUTH he said, "and
mercy will be shown confess you
are not Inez Leighton, but the child
Of her mothers sister! That the
changing Of the children was concoc-
ton Of your own subtle brain-con-
TESS that the true. 1nez died in her in
fancy, and that you, having the proofs
of her birth in your possession, usurped
| her place. -.
! White as death Inez rose to her feet.
There was no need to confess; the
| truth was written on her face.
She turned to Roy, with passionate,
questioning eyes, but it seemed the
glamor Of her beauty had fallen from
him, as he realized the truth, and
he stepped back coldly.
rs it true?' he said; answer. Is
it true?'
She looked at him with scornful eyes,
then turned to Hester:
what are you going to do?" she
said
Nothing" Hester answered. 'I will
give you time to leave-time to go back
to your own sunny land, before a
word is spoken. We only know your
sin-your own heart it's temptation
''Icu are generous Inez said look
ing at her with mocl1ing eyes, You
even forgive me for stealing your
love-
Without another word she turned
and left the, room, and none there ever
Without glancing at Roy, Hester laid
her hand on Deane's arm.
"Come out to the garden,'' she said.
Il feel as if were dying in here. Oh,
Deane, you proved your suspicious
| true"
Next day letter was placed in Hes
ter's hand.
Il dare not ask you to forgive, but
in the future you may look with less
scornful eyes uponF my madness, and
this hope I take abroad with me.
!. Three years have passed-years in
which Hesterashas passed. from an un-
formed girl into q slender, graceful
woman, with a face whose beauty
would attract attention anywhere.
A polished woman of the world,
the acknowledged belle and beauty of
her set she met Roy Beldon again.
If Roy had not loved her in the past,
he certainly loved her now-the old
passionate glamor with which a siren
had enveloped him seemed matter of
self-contempt; but this was love, the
BEST the purest love he was capable
of-and who can give more?
Deane Stanley watched it all with
grave, proud eyes, and smiled when
|
All his life he had loved Hester
Leighton, but what had he to offer
her? A loyal heart and willing hands
to the heiress Of SyIncliffe!
One evening he sought her-sought
her in the quiet stiffness of the gloam-
ing.
Il have come to say goodbye for
awhile,' he said; business calls me
away, and it may be years before !
return
Was he mistaken, or did the sweet
face pale?
I'VE will miss you she said
"Who are we?" he said, perfectly
unconscious of his rudeness in the pas.
sion and pain Of the moment.
well, it is rather egotistical to think
I could vouch for the feelings Of 9th
ers. I meant society in general and
myself in particular, Deane.'
He laughed bitterly.
well, Roy Beldon can console you
now, Hester"
She looked at him with questioning
eyes, and then faint smile curved
her lips,
1T would take a great many Roy
Beldons to console me. Oh, Deane,
Deane:' breaking down suddenly, a
red flush sweeping her face.
''Hester, darling, do you mean--''
Il mean Roy Beldon asked me to be
his wife, and l simply answered NO u
IF I asked you, Hester, my dar.
ling"
Whether he asked her then or not
is only surmise, but one thing is sure
the cleaning fell around pair of
we'll contented lovers, and it's shadows
hid the passionate kisses Of the lover
who had won the purest, deepest love
of Hester Leighton's tender heart
| How 1t Seemed,