The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-18

George Gordon"
She hesitated for an instant; then, with q
gesture of refusal, she said Indignantly:
"He is nothing to me. 1t is an insult to
speak to me of him. Let me pass"
'He is all the world to you, and you are
all the world to him. See," said, offering
the little packet poor George had given me
on the eve of my departure, "he has sent
you this from Siberia"
She would not take 1t from my hand;
but, looking at me as II she would pierce
my very soul to read the truth, she repeat
ed my words, From Siberial'' in a low
tone of incredulity.
/ tore open the paper and revealed his
signet ring, upon which lie had tied an end
of pale blue ribbon-some treasured tri1e
from her dress, which had its pretty story,
doubtless
From Siberiap' she repeated, with an
accent of tender alarm, the color rising to
her pale cheek as she recognized the objects
that lay in my hand.
"The carriage is coming back" said,
catching the sound of wheels. II must not
be seen here. Take me where can tell you
all unseen and unheard'
"If your intentions are honest, what need
is there of secrecyp
"The need Of cheating one who is not
honest. What have you to fear from mef
Is it likely that should come to insult
you or do you injury? Come this way"
added eagerly, stepping toward an alley
that turned from the drive as the sound of
the returning carriage suddenly became
more distinct.
She hesitated to comply.
"What if refuset" she said half aloud,
asst putting the question to herself.
"Then God forgive you, for the ruin of
the man who loves you may be your do
ing"
She followed me down the alley as the
carriage came in sight. A dozen PAGES
brought me to an arbor cut in the thick
yew hedge. stepped quickly into the re-
cess, and Judith followed me. Irested my
self on one of the rustic stools but Judith
stood before the little table that separated
us. When the carriage had passed the end
of the walk, laid the ring on the table
before her, saying;
"Let it lie there till your heart bids you
take 1t. 1t should not lie there long. Is it
not proof of his constant love and fidelity
that he sends this token and that bring
it?"
"You brought it from Siberian
~ brought it from Siberia. He was taken
by treachery-my treachery. Oh, am not
guiltless. deserve all the reproaches that
you can heap upon me. aided his enemy,
knowing that was blighting your happi-
ness, but | myself was taken in the trap
had laid for him We were carried off to
St. Petersburg and sent away into Siberia.
An accident enabled us to escape from
prison on the road. We reached the forest,
George Gordon and !. There was no path
in the endless forest-no track In the field
of snow to guide us. We had no food. We
were lost. / must have perished but for
him. He never left me, though by himself
he might have reached some village. Day
after day we crept along, he helping me,
never failing to find kind and cheering
word, though his strength gave out no that
his hand was weaker than a child's."
stopped, for poor judith spirit Mt this
point suddenly broke down. Sinking with
faint cry upon the stool beside her, she
snatched up her lovers ring, and laying
her arms on the table buried her face in
her hands and burst into tears of joy and
grief.
Presently looking up-her face wet, her
eyes blinded with tears-she asked fiercely:
"Did he know that it was through you
he had come to thati"
Yes"
"And still he forgave your"
"Yes"
~ cannot" she exclaimed passionately
81 shall never forgive you;' then, brushing
her tears away, she gazed at his ring for a
moment, and covering her face again
mdaned fondly, My Georgel my Georger'
AS her motion subsidized, she raised her
head and said imperiously;
Tell me morc-finish this history of
your crime"
We found friend and the means by
which one of us three could escape. George
Gordon decided that | should 20"
"And you consented to come away and
leave him there7n she asked, her brows
bent in contempt and anger.
Would you have had him come and
leave me theresp | asked.