The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-11-02
CHAPTER. y-(Contineud1

ana felt cold, so cOld. tightening her
hands nervously. Il think / will bid
you good night, now, and 60 to my
room, as 1t Is rather late" rising as she
concluded. and holding out her hand
70 Craven. Good night, Blackwood."
she said, quite calmly, but without
raising her eyes to meet his, and, hav-
ing pressed her lips to Sir Mark 8
forehead, she went quietly away.
During his stay at the Hall Craven
saw but little Of Lady Warrenne. At
last the mental torture he was enduring
became SO unbearable that he deter
mined to end 1t one way or another,
and after passing a sleepless night
came to the conclusion that the next
day-his fifth-should be the last Of his
residence at Warrenne Hall.
Having made up his mind to this, he
determines tu say nothing Of his inten-
ton until the morning of his departure,
when he would find some excuse in his
letters to leave by the early train,
which started about an hour after the
usual breakfast time.
Feeling happier in his mind now that
he had arranged his private affairs SO
satisfactorily, he started with Sir Mark
days shooting at the Hall.
Having ascertained from the keeper
accompanying them the nearest way to
the desired rendezvous, they walked on
emartly for about quarter Of a mile,
when Sir Mark suddenly discovered
that he was without fusees or anything
else wherewith to light his pipe. This
was indeed serious consideration, es-
peciafly as Craven confessed himself
sn the same plight, and the keeper had
evidently been depending upon the 9TH
er two both for light and tobacco.
Il will run back" Std Craven. Tell
me where to find some, and will over
take you in less than no time, or else
will go over the lower field and pick
you up further on"
Just step into the library by the
French window" directed Mark, "and
you will find some on the table which
left there last night, in q little silver
affair"
Thus instructed BLackwood betook
himself back once more to the Hall,
where, entering the library by the
French window, he came suddenly upon
Lady Warrenne seated reading in a
large armchair. 1t was the first time
they had been alone since that last
eventful day when he had hidden her
farewell, SO that now, finding himself
In her presence in this totally unex-
pected manner. his courage and cool
ness deserted him to some extent.
i beg your pardon, Lady Warrenne,'
ne began, pausing moment before en-
tering-he had never called her 'sTita"
~ 4,
eonf1ning himself to her title-"but
Warrenne told mel came back for
some vesuvians OF his lying on the Ia
BILE"
Lady Warrenne rose gracefully.
Are these what you are looking
for? she asked, lifting the little silver
matchbox and holding it out to him.
Yes, thank you," he answered, cold
", coming across the room to receive
them from her hand.
As he did SO their eyes met, and q
wild. unconquerable desire possessed
Katherine to be friends with him at all
hazards.
"Blackwood, forgive mev' she whis-
pered, gently, laying her hand upon his
arm. III he does," she thought. her
heart beating rapidly-"if he puts me
now at peace with my own conscience
Il will tell Mark every thing this
evening, and perhaps some day I shall
be happy" Meanwhile, Craven had
taken the little fingers that lay like a
snowflake on the coarse cloth Of his
shooting Jacket and spread them out
ellentfy on his own palm, but not q
shadow OF forgiveness crossed his face.
Look here" he said 80 long as I
can remember that this hand belongs
70 another man. let him be who he
may, dead or alive, SO long I will not
forgive you."
Meaning Neyer?" she asked, quiet
ly, growing deathly pale.
Meaning Never !" Blackwood Cra-
ven answered, just as quietly, loosen
ing her hand unrelentingly.
You are very hard on me-" she said
seeing that he either could
not Or would not speak.
Hard on your he repeated, with
the concentrated bitterness Of months
IN his voice. How like a woman
that h-drst employing every ar
uf1ce to gain Z mans honest affection
waiting until she discovers
that his very soul is scarce his own
and then flinging him over for the
0rst good match she can find, and, hav-
Ing succeeded In embittering his whole
existence, thinking it had that he does
not turn round and humbly kiss her
hand! No." with a bitter laugh, you
have misjudged my character am
: good hater, most Of my tender feel
lngs have taken flight since last Sep
tember, and hardly find myself suf-
dcientiy moral to appreciate the benfits
70 be received by kissing the proverbial
rod
"Oh, Blackwood," she murmured, Il
think you would be little more merci-
eul II you only knew how I longed
for your forgiveness, and how misera-
BE I am without it!''
Il hope In reality you are" he an