The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-02-21

one in Worcester | care to see."
Then 1t is true?" --....
what is true?"
She must be more guarded, she warn.
ed herself, else he would get a clue to
the knowledge sho had gained from
Raymond.
"That-that you are going awayP"
but her mind was more on Wore ster
than on Denver.
"Of course, dear. Now be reasonable.
If stay here, can't find out what you
want to know, and what / want to
know too. Isn't it better to settle
things at once? II / don't bring the
story back, it is the first time have
failed in an assignment.
! He spoke in strain to cheer her,
and no tenderly added:
How many days after l come back
will it be before you are mine-my own
foreveri"
"Oh, Laurence, it cant BET" and
horror darkened her face and made her
frame tremble for a moment as II a
strong current of electricity had been
sent through every nerve.
What can't be?'' la..
"l can't-can n't-be-your-wife :"
slowly, as if every word punctured her
heart like stiletto point. .-.
Isabel, are you wandering?"
"Oh, maybe am, Laurence; maybe
am, " she said pathetically, despair
ingly, as she threw her arms around
his neck. Don't mind me, Laurence,
don't mind Inc, but don't be angry with
me. love you So" -..-..
Her eyes sutfused with tears. He
was mystified. Sho loved him, was
more demonstratiye in her devotion
than she had ever been before, and yet
gave less encouragement TO the prospects
he had builded on the foundation of his
own alteration for her. Had the GER
tainty of temporary separation unnerved
herr .- ."
Isabel" he said, what is wrong?
Tell me, love-" and he smoothed back
the curls from her moist forehead,
trying to soothe her. ..
II cant, Laurence, can't"
She was bordering on the hysterical.
Then something is wrong!" he ex-
claimed, holding her from him and
peering madly into her eyes, as if to
read therein the working of her mind
and draw out, with mesmeric force, the
meaning of the incomprehensibl sor-
row that preyod upon her.
You will always be dear to me, ;"
she said. always dear to me, Lau-
renee. Another day you will know all.
Be patient, Laurence, be patient, but
love you, indeed | do, and in few
days you will be sorry that you doubted
me-.
She showered kisses upon him, the
kisses she felt as sister she could give,
the first warm effusion of her love-
kisses whose ecstasy he had never felt
before, and which awakened more
strongly within him the one grand
passion of his life.
Love him she didl Again he held
her from him, seeking to explore her
thoughts IN searching glances. A light
footstep broke the spell that Isabel
might not have been able to resist.
Mother St. Gertrude entered. Her
sharp eye detected the situation. Her
keen mind suspected the cause. Isabel
hhd told ner the story; never once had
this fair young girl, reserved even a
thought from the mother superior.
Laurence, said Mother st. Ger.
trude, this should not have occurred. I"
is it nightmare he asked wild
ly, advancing toward the nun. Am !
crazy-or whati'
Your simply foolish" was her
hasty response. "You've excited Isa-
bel and yourself. Let me tell you some
thing. Come here.
He followed her into the hall, where
she turned and faced him, saying:
1t is better that you should go now.
All will be right. Mother ST. Ger
trude says SO. She is your friend
Have no fear. Leave Isabel with me-"
May say goodbye"
No"
He spoke and acted like one in stu
por. He knew Mother st. Gertrude
too well to argue the point. He waved
adieu to Isabel. She came forward to
speak to him, but the great door had
closed. To the iron barred window she
ran and looked after him as he walked