The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-26
THE W0MEN'S DOMAIN.
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| ly her glance rests upon him, that Dig
| by's faithful heart loses courage and he
forbids himself to dwell upon the hope
that a few minutes. since had made his
| rrlses throb with only half-concealed Ie-
| light.
| Park Lane" Vera IL murmurfng, in a
low voice. She IS still somewhat LOST In
| wore der at this change that has come
| over her. Only yesterday she had believed
In her love for this man: who. now hold-
ing her hand in close clasp, and looking
into her eyes with an impassioned gaze,
falls TO awake In her the poorest spark
she says-a suspicion Of pity in her linger-
ing glance.
At o'clock the next day Major Stainer
puts In an appearance in the charming
drawing-room Ia Park Lane that calls
Lady Nynor mistress He finds there
awaiting him Vera Wnothesly
"At last / can speak 10 you alone" ne
says. with Passion in his voice she had
never heard there in the old days. "Fhat
tortures l have been enduring ever since
that moment. last night, when once again
my eyes looked Into yours! And you,
Vera-yOu cannot have forgotten allr
Il have forgotten nothing" says the
girl gravely.
"Ah. 1t is not so easy TO forget" cries
ne, triumphantly. And you-yon have a
heart You must still feel
She interrupts him by a slight but elo-
quent gesture.
II am not heartless," she says. "and I
have felt-too much!' There is a culver
I'm her sweet voice that misleads him. In
truth, the emotion it expresses is not for
him. but for the memory OF those past
dark hours when she had mourned so
truly for a love, now known TO be worth
less.
An may sim be well with usr ex-
claims he eagerly. II love you now as
never loved you then. My silence during
this past year can explain. L"
Can you?" says Vera. not severely. but
with a steady glance from her great violet
eyes.
Il CAM will" declares he wildly. IT
was mad then-blind. But surely the
love you once bore me will help you to
forgiveness
1.-THE love you killed? Do you appeal
TO that?"
Il swear"
Nay no more false oaths." interrupts
she again. with a weary movement. "They
will be useless now. The love you speak
of is dead, slain by your own hand, II
indeed" dreamipgly, 1T ever existed"
Not dead" entreats he. with extreme
agitation. do not say that. Give me a
fresh trial--oRe last chance
TOO late" returns she. In low but
firm voice. Outside she can hear n step
uHon the stairs that OF late has grown
familiar to her. The color rushes back
TO her pale face, as she turns towards the
door. 1t is flung open rather impetuousiy,
and Digby enters the room.
Their eyes meet; but seeing her stand
ing close to Stainer in apparently agi-
tated converse, Digby comes 10 a stand
still, and looks at her with terrible re-
preach In his beautiful eyes. This look
fades, however. and gives place TO one
Of ecstacy. as she goes quickly up to him.
and frankly holds out TO him both her
hands.
Leaving them still in his warm cttsp.
she glances back to where Stainer Is
standing, as II rooted to the ground.
major Stainer," she says. with an odd
little thrill in her soft voice, 'iet me
introduce you toto my future husband.
Lord DIgbyw
Training enables Stainer TO acknowledge
the rather distant bow made him by Dig
by, but the sense of utter defeat is crush
ing him. He has grown haggard and aged
I'm these last few minutes. He mutters
something about an engagement, seizes
his hat, and bows himself out, without
permitting himself to look into her face.
even once again.
Vera, you meant it?" says Digby, when
they are alone He is scarcely less agi-
tated than the man who had just left the
room.
II did" returns she TREMENDOUSLY. 1T
Is but poor gift, but If you want me,
give myself 10 you gladly"
with this gift you call poor, what man
on earth shall be so rich, 80 biest as II"
Arcf - oho ~
not take me until / have told you all.
Last night" in faltering accents, Il
met"
mot another word" gays Digby gently,
Il know everything. That nan who has
just gol,e-you-you-"
Il was engaged to him." says Vera
simply. though with very troubled eyes.
And be went away and forgot me. II
thought I loved him then; but last night,
when l saw him again"
She breaks down here and bursts into
tears. Digby takes her into his arms.
presses her head tenderly against his
breast.
Don't cry. sweetheart" he says with
passionate fondness. III you tell me
you have discovered that your love for
Tor hints still alive, I"-bravely-"s
try to bear it,"
"Oh, no? not that" exclaims she, shud-
dering slightly. II felt then nothing but
wonder that / should ever have kn,wn
even a childish affection for him. I knew
that silly old story was at an end forever;
and '-shyly-'I knew something else,
too"
What, Vera?"
She can feel the tender arms around her
tremble. Leaning back from him she
looks softly into his eyes
THAT l loved you" she says. pressing
her pretty, flushed cheek against his.'