The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1894-04-19

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prepare yourself, my dear Gc,'-
hrde," he returned in hypocfitical
tones-"prepare yourself to hear some
thing painful
Has anything happened to my grand
father, Basil?' she cried, in terror.
Sir Basil wound his arms about the
eager Questioner, and drew her close
to his breast.
life is never certain" he said, or
raihel gasped.
life is never certainv' echoed she,
starting from him in blank bewilde"-
mcnt. what mean YOU by those
words? Is he-my more than father
deadT'
He is. my poor darling" Sir Basil
rejoined, with culver in his voice.
Dead! Mercful heavens, say not SOL"
exclaimed Gertrude, Il strange giddinesS
Selling on her brain, and staggering to
il chair. Il have not heard Alright,
BASIL" she went on. "A few short
hours ago l left him alive; he cannot
surely be dead! There is some mistake
some dreadful mistake, Basil"
He shook his head, and she continued:
Did The messenger you dispatched
last night to Ravensmarsh bring back
this sad intelligence"
He did, Gertrude"
where is the man? Let me question
him on the matter" she said, looking
about in confusion and distress.
Stay, dearest" be returned, checking
her, as she was about to rush out of the
room; stay! 1t would not be seemly
for Lady Dovetree to interrOgate a
serving man when her husband is at
hand to do So"
"But-but l want to hear-tO hear
with my own ears-all that he has to
tell concerning my grandfathers sud-
den death"'
Il will repeat all that he has commu-
nicated to me-" Sir Basil said, very de-
cidedly.
Gertrude covered her face with her
clasped hands and sank into Il seat,
overpowered with violent emotion.
Il have broken the poor old mans
hearth she convulsively sobbed, when
she could sufficiently command her
voice.
"Why do you accuse yourself of hay
ing done that, Gertrude?" Sir Basil in
quired. Your grandfather expired quite
suddenly, and from a purely natural
cause, with which you have been in NO
earthly way concerned"
Il will go at once to Ravensmarsh!
she said, rising and attempting to quit
the apartment.
For what purpose would you go
thither?" he demanded, intercepting her
passage, and putting his arms about
her
Can you ask, Basil?'
your presence can do no good at
Ravensmarsh and would much rather
that you stayed where you are Ger
tf'ude," the baronet said, demonstrating
some little temper. Il am sure it would
not look seemly for Lady Dovetree---a
bride made only yesterday-to be seen
gadding about the country, either on
duty or pleasure; and you yourself can
not fail to perceive as much"
But you promised, Sir Basil, that
L"
What a child you are to be always
talking thus about PROMISES he inter-
rupted, in a petulant manner. Make
yourself contented, my dearest Ger
trude, here, with your husband, and at
Eagle Tower
"You refuse to keep your word with
me?" she added in a perfect culver of
excitement.
"Pest!' he exclaimed, impatiently
striking the palms of his hands to-
gether
You cannot refuse!' she said en-
phatically.
81 have already spoken, Gertrude"
he answered, doggedly.
She tottered back a few PAGES, and
chung to the back of chair, feeling
quite sick and faint.
Dead or alive, wish to see the dear
old man once more! Afterwards, Sir
Basil, you may, if you please imprison
me in Eagle Tower for ever!'
She had spoken brokenly, and as if
she cared not what she said or how he
received her words. A second time he
had broken faith with her-a second
blow had fallen on her young heart.
Gertrude stood some few moments
with her eyes bent OH the floor; when
next she looked up, Sir Basil DOvetree
had left the room.
Without uttering a single cry. she
dropped into a seat, half-stupified with
grief-the bitterest grief she had ever
known.
Gertrude sat for a long time brood
ing over Sir BaSipS late strange be-
havior towards her. and Borrowing over
the unexpected news of Pa. son Gil
ruth's death. The good old man had
ever treated her with the tenderness
of a parent, and she could not help
bitterly upbraiding herself for the de-
ceitful part she had just been prac-
ticing against him. She could not ex-
aCtly understand Sir Basil's conduct. To
her it appeared most treacherous and
cruel. Could he love her as fondly and
truly as he protested, and thus de-
ceive her with promises he never in
tended to keep? Oh, impossible. i'm
possible-fop love and truth must sure
ly be united!
Would she herself act with duplfcity
towards Sir Basil? All, no! not for
the wealth Of worlds. Then where
fore should he sully his honor by utter
ing words of falsehood?
First in one way, then in another,
Gertrude reviewed Sir Basiis acts, en-
deavoring to find some potent excuse
for them all; but, strong as was her
affection for him, it did not assist her
in discovering what she sought for.
The surging flood of love within her
Woman's breast had asslredly received
q startling shock from which it would
probably never quite recover. She shed
tears until her eyes smarted; sobbed
until her bosom had become fairly sore,
and was, altogether. as miserable as
woman could possibly be. And this
was ut time when she had been we'd
ded only thirty hours-when she had
expected JOY and happiness instead of
this disappointment and sorrow.
But what could she do?" Gertrude
mentally asked herself. She must not
resent Sir Basil's unkind behavior
she must not arouse further strife
between herself and the man whom
she had solemnly pledged herself to
love, to honor, and obey. No, as far
as she was able, she would endeavor
to preserve unbroken the peace of her
domestic hearth. The old man who had
once been all the world to her was
dnaI ofI Shn had Y1nxy no o1,,n ~ cIipor