The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-05-03
Mr. Mason bent his head and touched

Mr.. Mason bent his head and touched
his lips to her forehead, with stately
grace that few Of the gilded youth of the
later civilization may initiate. And
the girl RAISED to his quiet eyes, with
never ii culver of lash, and she let her
hand rest in his as she spoke easily, but
so low that only he caught the words:
And have a little thing for you-a
witch charm to brighten away evil |
Promise me that, being a man, You will |
control curiosity and never open it until |
one year from this hour"
She withdrew her slim, firm hand |
leaving in his Il tiny package tied with
with white ribbon and securely sealed.
"You pledge me your knightly word;"
she asked, and as he bent his head in ac-
quiescence Edith turned away with quiet
| face and crossed the room to where
Adrien Latour leaned modify against
the mantel.
Does Sir Launcelot of the Lake see
visions?" she said in her low, fruity voice.
Her eyes We're bent upon the tangle in
her sash, but had the Creoles met them
he might have thrilled from their strange
glow over such simple occupation. Does
he read the future in yonder red sunset?
Or is the present strange enough to sat
isfy him with Merlin's wizard work."
Can you never speak seriously to me-"
the man returned gloomily. and what
have to do with Launcelot?"
Nothing, mayhap," the girl answered
low, but in musical distinctness, yet not
raising her eyes from the sash. Had
Arthur never wed Guinevere-had he
!. let hoary Merlin win her with golden
charm-then had there come no sin to
. Camelot! But, heigh-ho! how strangely
mixed the legend grows; for now tits
Elaine weds Merlin, and she still loves
: she paused an instant; a quick flash of
her eyes glowed into his with evil fire
mot Launcelot, who rides away, but
Godlike Arthur"
. = Impetuously starting nearer the man
whispered:
e SIN Gods name what do you mean?"
The eyes Miss Van der Huysen mex
E raised to his were brown and bright; t
: merry smile played round her lips as sh'
said saucily:
:. 81 was only talking society," Mr.. La
tour and long year ago told you tina
never meant anything"
u She turned away in her graceful, sin
% uous fashion. Adrien half stretche'
out his hand to detain her, just as tn
- bride, quiet and gentle, entered tn
10 room, leaning on her fathers arm. Sh
10 stopped close by Dale Everett before sh
raised her head. Their eyes met. Sh
held out her hand timidly, saying yer,
Il low and gently:
1--WE are old friends, Dale"
It He hesitated not second, but ben
- down over the golden head and touche
81 his lips to her brow. But only she hear
~ the whisper:
"God forgive you, as 1 do!-cheris
3 you, as l would"
% Only one eloquent look thanked hin
10 and her eyes again sought the floor. 81
- felt rather than saw Latour passing, /
" he moved on to offer his arm to Mi
NC Lord She half extended her hand. Ha
W she raised her eyes to him she had new
~ risked the movement, for the Creole
aJ glowed with ominous light, and h
u, swarthy face was hard and unlovin
nc His hand never moved, but she heal
nc the whisper, that was almost hiss:
re 81 will not lie You have sold you
MS self"
W. A second is long enough for fate.
~. "a moment later the little cortege was
~ motion for the church. But for tn
w one moment the June sunset y
-e about the brown head of II bride bow
~, before the scorn of the only man she h
l 49, yet loved.