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


and Sir Mark went hurriedly to meet
him.
"Mr. Craven has shot himself he
explained, briefly. Run to the houso
or one OF the nearest cottages Ailu
bring something to carry him nome
upon" "a
After to what seemed to the sllenS
watchers an interminable delay, the
man returned bringing with him some
farming hands and rude 1mpromp!u
litter, ON which, with gentle, kindly
hands, they laid poor Craven and pore
him in solemn awe-sruck speechlesS-
ness to the Hall.
Here they were met by Archibald
Blount. shocked out OF all his lndoiens
selfishness as he gazed with uneasy con
science at his nephews corpse, ana re-
membered with deep remorse, for the
first time how fatal all that past scene
In the manor library had been to the
happiness Of the poor boy now lying
dead before his eyes.
They carried Blackwood upstairs, and
laid him upon his bed, after which doc
tors were sent for. as matter OF duty
though In this case there was not the
faintest ray Of hope to sustain the
mourners with fond delusive dreams
until the final fiat should be uttered.
When ali was done that tenderness
and love could do. Lady Warrenns
went down stairs pallid and heartbrok'
en-, to where Sir Mark was sitting In his
private room, his face buried In his
hands.
Il have come to tell you all about It"
she said. going over to him, and laying
her hand lightly on his shoulder.
He rose, placed chair for her, with
a WEAKNESS in his manner that at any
other time most surely must have
touched her, and then motioned for her
to proceed She told him her whole
story from beginning to end, glossins
over nothing, making nothing worse,
and waiting when her sad story was
finished to hear what he would say, to
receive all the hard words all the hard
reproaches which she felt she deserved
at his hands-to reap the fruit Of her
fathers sowing.
Warrenne got up and came over to
her in the gathering twilight pausing
beside her chair.
my poor darlingw he said gently;
my poor little girl!' And that was all.
Simple words they We're in themsel-
yes. but surely heayen-born in their
tender pity. Those few loving terms,
coming from the quarter whence she
had least right to expect them, did
more for her certainly than all the
harsh measures that could have been
used. She bowed her fair sorrowing
head upon her hands. and burst into
bitter, albeit soothing tears.
do not cry. my dear" said Sir Mark,
perhaps It is better as 1t is. Poor
Blackwood,-his was hard life, and a
harder fate; but yet, Katherine, there
Is another who. to know that he was
loved by you as he has loved, would
gladly change places with Blackwood
this moment. Oh. darling, / think OF
the two my portion is the harder to
bear! But tell me now what you would
wish me to do for you and will do It,"
i only want to go away--to be any
where by myself-to be alone" Kather-
Inc sobbed. family, without raising her
head.
$50 you SHALL" Warrenne answered.
bravely, although sharp spasm OF
agony shot across and disngured his
"You shall go away by yourself but not
anywhere l have another estate In
Warwickshire, a pretty secluded place
enough, that shall be all your own ex-
clusively, il you will have It."
And you?" his wife asked, looking
up at him anxiously for the first time
"Oh, as for me-" Sir Mark replied,
endeavoring to speak cheerfully. but
turning away his face that she might
not see what havoc the last few hours
had wrought upon 1t, Il shall 20
abroad and return once more to nv
old wandering habits! Do not trouble
yourself about my welfare; I shall do
very well. dare say. But in your new
home, Katherine you must learn to be
happier than you have ever been in this.
my poor love; yet I meant to make
your life pleasant one, no matter how
dismally | failed. You will learn to
forget all these late griefs and sorrows
In time. when you have no one to re-
mind you OF them, not even me, as I
promise faithfully you shall not see me
again until you wish for me. A nom
sensical speech" he added, with little
wistful smile, that only proves to nv
self how long my Punishment will be,'
To this she made no answer-indeed
he scarcely seemed to expect one-and
a dead silence that lasted for several
fell upon them both. Lady War
renne, sitting there In the huge crimson
chair, her tiny fingers half hidden IN
the velvet cushions. might have been
mistaken for marble statue robed. so
motionless he sat: while over her tall.
and fair stood Sir Mark like some an
cient knight guarding sleeping fairy
Presently he broke the spell.
"Good-by Katherine he said.
"Good-by," rising from among the
cushions and looking half frightened:
"goOd-by-so soon!"
Yes: It Is better So" He had con-
ceived the idea, poor fellow, that he
was more or less of a nuisance to his
own wife. and, though ever loath +
part with what he loved so well. still