Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-03-01

bright, the western wind was filed
with the fragrant breath OF thousand
flowers, while magnolias yielded their
rare odOr, and the queenly roses, and
the tall, stately lilies cleaned in the
sunlight; the birds were singing, and
the water from tho fountains fell with
musical ripple more beautiful than any
other earthly sound.
Lady Charnleigh had gone to the
piano, Sir Bertram followed her.
Lady Charleigh, he said, do not the
fragrance and beauty outside tempt
you? Will you come and hear what
the birds are singing about?"
He fancied he had left no loop-hole
OF escape; but she said
ayes, with pleasure; the grounds are
much more pleasant than these warm
rooms. Ethel, will you join us?"
And Miss Dacre, all unconscious Of
Sir Bertram's plans, stood up; but he
was determined--Lady Charnleigh had
trlhed with him for the last time. He
went up 10 Miss Dacre, his frank face
graver than she had ever seen 1t.
"Dear Miss Dacre, he said, in low
voice, will you kindly decline Lady
Charnleigh's invitation? l want to
speak to her alone"
Ethel laughed
Most certainly / will, Sir Bertram.
Lady Charnleigh," she added Il will
finish my book, l think, and join you
In the grounds afterward."
The Countess Of Charnleigh and Sir
Bertram Gordon vent through the
long window that opened on to the
lawn. The fair earth seemed TO be
flushed with color and beauty. Close
to them was rosery, where roses OF
every kind were in full bloom; behind
them the pale lilies stood in great
sheaves, and magnolias raised their
stately heads, and grove OF towering
lines led to the woods.
The sun shone and the birds sang,
but never word did she utter. He
walked in silence by her side until they
had reached secluded spot, and then
he said.
How cruel you have been to me,
Lady Charnleigh! How you have tor
tured me! You must have known how
long have been waiting to say few
words to YOU"
Il am not fond of either cruelty or Of
TORTURE" returned the fair countess,
evasively.
Indeed, you must be. You must
have read my hearts desire on my
face; you must know that love you so
dearly that my love is eating my very
life away-yet you would not give me
chance to tell you you have tortured
me, Lady Charnleigh, and you know it;
now you must be additionally kind to
atone for it. Leonie, want to tell you
something" He took her hand in his,
and she made no attempt to elude that
firm grasp. Come here" he said and
he led her to o messy bank. ooh,
Leonie, when O mans heart Ia quite
full, 1t Is very hard to find words"
She sat down, wondering whether
the world held other joy so great as
hers; wondering whether other lives
had been so supremely blessed. Sir
Bertram half sat, half knelt at her
feet.
-Leonie, l want to tell that 1 love
you; that have loved you from the
first moment l saw you. want to tell
you that my life is in your hands; that
/ love you with an affection so mighty
in its strength, so powerful, that my
whole life is merged in it. 1 am bold
to tell you so, sweet. know that far
better men than l have knelt at your
feet to ask for the priceless gift of your
love, but no one can love you as | do,
Leonie. Will you trust your life to me,
my queen? l will make it as happy as
q summer dream"
She listened to him, her heart beat
ing fast, every pulse swelling with
strange, newborn gladness, but she
made no reply.
ITo BE CONTINUED.