The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-06-22

am more generous than / ever deemed
my self, for were / not, the story j
am going to tell, would be untold,
till after your wedding day.
Something in his voice had startled
them from their composure, and Inez'
beautiful face had grown strangely
pale. II
Suddenly Deane went over to her
side. =s5 .
Confess the truth, y he. said, ''and
mercy will be shown you confess you
are not Inez Leighton, but the child
of her mothers sister! That the
changing Of the children was q concoc-
ton of your own subtle brain con-
TESS that the true Inez 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 1t 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 doY' she
said.
Nothing" Hester answered II will
give you time to leave-time to 60 back
to your own sunny land, before a
word is spoken. We only know your
sin-your own heart its temptation
"Ycu are generous" Inez said, look.
ing at her with hooking eyes. "You
even forgive me for stealing your
love"
Without another word she turned
and left the room, and none there ever
looked at her beautiful face again.
Without glancing at Roy, Hester laid
her hand on Deane's arm.
Come out to the garden" she said.
II feel as if We're dying in here. Oh,
Deane, you proved your suspicious
true" as
Next day letter was placed in Hes
ters hand. S5
II dare not ask you to forgive, but
in the future you may look with less
scornful eyes upon my madness, and
this hope take abroad with me.
Roy"
Three years have passed years in
which Hester has passed from an un-
formed girl into slender, graceful
woman, with a face whose beauty
would attract attention anywhere 4
A polished woman of the wClld,
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
people spoke of them as lovers.
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 Suncliffe!
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 I
return" t.1 .a..+
/ Was he mistaken, or did the sweet
lave pulC & II Z
1--WE will miss y.u," 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. meant society in general and
myself in particular, Deane."
He laughed bitterly. #
well, Roy Beldon can console you
now, Hester" 49,. 5...
She looked at him with questioning
eyes, and then a faint smile curved
her lips. .- ~ s %.H.@. Z
1T would take a great many Roy
Beldons to console me-. Oh, Deanc,
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 simply answered No !"
If / asked you, Hester, my dar-
ling" ~ 49, H..
Whether he asked her then or not
is only surmise, but one thing is sure,
the cleaning fell around pair of
well contented lovers, and it's shadows
hid the passionate kisses of the lover
who had won the purest, deepest love
| -. 49, - &c., 1~.N< nk