The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-12-20

from brow to throat.
Another minute and a mans arm
was round her, and she was drawn
convulsively to his heart.
MY Bett, my beautiful, my own,
thank God | see you onc again.
But Lisbeth struggled violently,
and freeing herself from his embrace, ,
stood before him, proud and erect,
looking at him with an expression of
mingled mockery and scorn.
How dare you," she cried, show
dare You come here after" Her
words seemed to choke her. and the
sentence ended in 4 c%onvulsive sob.
My dearest Bett. what do you
mean? Why you sent for me?
What has happened? What do you
know"
She mastered her emotion with a
vigorous effort, and, trying to speak
calmly, said in A low tone, Il know
that Clement Dunraven is false"
..Ay," he answered, ''false as he'll.
You are right. 1t is to tell you this
that | have come here to-day
False to her. or false to me?'
she asked, looking at him hxedly
with her large eyes.
Good heavens, do you doubt me
for a moment! False to her, of
course. since you are my love, my
life. But how do you know anything
about her, my d~ar.ing2'
81 was at the boudoir window on
the night Of the ball. saw you cir
Gle your arms about her waist, as
You have often circlcd them about
me. could have cried with pain at
the sight. 1 saw your lips move as
if u,teriug those words of love l
know so we'll, and | saw her Ian
gui,liug eyes turned in alteration on
Your face. Yes, Clement, I saw all
this. and l am still alive, Alive and
looking into your false face"
"Aly Bett. my love, [ came here
to-day to tell you the whole truth,
to throw myself on your generosity,
to appeal to the strong love which
know You bear me. | am in no way
to blame for what has happened. 1t
is all the fault of my Uncle Louis. |
care no more for Lady Gertrude Yer
choyle's love than do for the peb-
bles in front OF the doorway. But
Sir Louis says that unless | marry
her he will leave me without a single
sixpence in the world"
"But | am your wife," said Lisbeth
"for the sake of coin you would
commit this sin?n
"God knows if I had a moderat
income | would not be mercenary
beg | am ashamed, and if | asked 70
, work who would give me any to do
= He would be a sorry fool VIII
f employed me-
, "No, you cannot work, that is no
to be thorght Of" she said, with
/ faint smile, evoked even in this hou
. of desperation, by the idea of Gle
ment Duhraven doing any work.
"What then can l do but obey 81
Louis and 90 through the farce o
, this marriage?n
But | am your wife. a MAJ
according to the English law canno
marry two wives"
"Not unless the first gives he
consent"
"Gives her consent, Clement
Whatever do you mean?"
'Only this, dear. You know
p, king OF 4 grand duke marrics tn,
woman he loves, what is called NOR
. ganatically, that is, she cannot be
queen or grand duchess. Then h
marries some princess, who can fiji
the high rank and do the duties o
the state, but who is always outsid
his heart.n
But you are neither a king o
grand duke, Clement"
"No, love, but it is the same thing
l am Sir Louis Dunraven's heir"
"Yet am your wife. My chill
dren will be legitimate.n
eyes, love-" he said, hesitatingly
for he dared not deny.
"Well then, Clement, if even i
! my great love for you I could let 20
, go and remain silent about our rela
r lions, so that you might become ric
. and powerful, how could do the,
g this wrong?n
1 sit will not do them much good t
be paupers, | should have to leav
you and 60 away into some distar
p land, seeking a fortune which
t. should never find. Whereas if yo
a concur in this arrangement you an
r your child or children will be in CON
T. Portable circumstances, .reaping ii
k benefit of my uncle's inheritance
b. do not want the money. Whe
old Josh dies, as he will in a fe
h days, a work and keep mysel
but the unborn child. Oh! Clemen
a | wish what is best to be done for I'll
a child.n
g Clement Dunraven cared nothir
Is for the child. His paternal instinc
= had in no way been awakened, b
k he cared a great deal for the beaut
full woman by his side, though mo