The sun., 1893-05-25
CHAPTER ~.
The Truth Revealed.

Beatrice Mercer was seated at desk
correcting some exercises of the NIL
pills, her avn portfolio spread out be-
fore her. The color died from her face
as she recognized her visitor, then it
turned deep-red with reactionary emo
ton. : =
His thoughts were too full of Edna
to allow Of his reading Alright the trem-
ulous emotion, the half-repressed fright
that his hostess betrayed.
Miss Mercer" he spoke, hoarsely,
81 have come to ask Of you the infor-
nation that Miss Chandler refuses
Why did Edna Deane leave the semi
mary? Where has she gone?'
Il cannot tell you. y
His eyes flashed excitedly- He
clenched his hands in an excess of suf-
fering and suspense.
you must!" he gasped, frantically.
"Do you understand what 1 am endur.
ing? Doubt-anguish-he -breaking!"
From beneath her yelled eyelids the
girl studied his working face. Craft
ness was there, but well masked. A
sinister triumph in her heart gave her
strength to simulate.
Il pity you," she said, softly. Il
would be glad to tell you all, but it is
useless
''Useless?''
Yes She had left the seminary,
TIopedale, her friends, forever. She
has gone to her relatives under o VOW
never to reveal her true identity Hap
py il her new life, with golden prom
ises Of wealth, you must not blame her
impetueus nature is she finds new
friends who make her forget the old, !"
How well the shaft went home! The
blank despair, the settled conviction Of
faithlessness in the mans face was
pitiable to witness.
"She left no word for me?" he forced
himself to ask.
mo. She wrote letter to Mr.. Bar
ton Brinsley, but it is unmanly for you
to have me betray my friend"
Speak ordered Marshall, fiercely.
"Do you not see that this suspense Is
killing me?'
"Then know the worst" answered
Beatrice, bulking all her fancied power
on final venture. ''Sne wrote to Bar
ton Brinsley. This morning he left
Hopedale. Miss Chandler says he has
gone away on business. think it Is
to see Edna's new relatives and press
bis suit there. Mr.. Marshall, oh, why
will you force me to tell these bitter
truths? Forget her-she is unworthy
Of you. She never knew her own mind.
There are truer hearts, hearts longing
for love they would cherish and never
betray." = -
Ills head had sunk on his breast. He
believed noW, and bis heart was bro
Ken
Beatrice had drawn nearer to him.
Her eyes aglow, her cheeks throbbing,
her hand upon his arm, heart and soul
breathed forth the secret that had
made her life one great void of mysery
since she had first seen his handsome,
earnest face.
With shock he looked. Wonder
ment, intelligence in his glance, 1t drove
her back abashed.
Her face betrayed her secret. She
loved himi His face told unmistaka-
bly, that he read that secret Alright.
"Oh! how could IT But 7 pity YOU so!
Think me unwomanly, but IL your
heart is breaking, so Is mine. Go, Mr..
Marshall-Raymond-go! and leave me
to the wretchedness Of the secret your
suffering has wrung from my lips"
She was sobbing, shrinking now. In
CONSERVATION her companion regarded
her. She loved him. This had been
the secret Of her wayward moods.
Despite himself great wave Of pity
sept his chivalrous heart.
II am sdtry,@. he said brokenly. "a
true womah's regard Is better than d
false friends treachery. Miss Mercer,
~hen leaFe Fou It = neFer te know