The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1894-05-17

steel that was glancing here and there,
quick as lightning.
In state of suspense beyond descrip-
ton, Gertrude was sitting on her
horse with the reins of the other horses
in her hands, listening to the clashing
weapons, awaiting the issue of the
terrible encounter. She felt that it was
conflict which must end fatally for
one or the other, and she trembled for
the safety of him she loved so dearly.
Yes, despite her knowledge of the
dreadful deed he had committed-de-
spite the great wrong he had done to
herself-She still entertained for him a
most profound devotional feeling
which neither time nor circumstances
would ever change.
Presently the metallic sounds ceased,
and Sir Basil emerged from behind the
trees, and stood before Gertrude, who
received him with a cry expressive of
both joy and terror-jOy, at his safety;
terror, at the sight of his crimson
stained sword.
"'Great heaven!' she exclaimed, shud-
dering, and averting her head. "Oh,
Basil, have you killed him?"
He did not answer her, but at once
sprung upon his horse.
Basil, Basil!' cried she; what are
you going to do? Leave me not here,
l entreat yOu!'
You can go hence-hither or thither.
at your own pleasurev' he answered
in cold tone. Il am surely nothing
to you now"
"Nothing!' she repeated, almost be-
side herself with excitement and grief
'Oh, say not so, Basil! You are all the
world to met"
"Gertrude!' he returned, in great sur
prise, ~ am all the world to you who
were deserting me!'
Eyes, yes-I repeat it! Earth con-
tains in it nothing more precious to me
than your own dear self! l fed from
you in order to preserve your she an
sWered, with sudden burst of hysteric
| tears" Draw your sword again from
| it's scabbard, Basil, and let it drink my
| hearts current, rather than leave me
here, despised and forgotten by your
The young baronet looked at her, un-
able to believe his senses.
Basil" she continued, her voice full
of heartfelt anguish, her hands ex-
tended towards him imploringly, II
know all, yet I ask you to suffer me
to share my life with you"
Sir BasiPs face flushed and paled al
Tentatively, and his limbs trembled be-
meath him.
II do not comprehend you," he re-
sponded, touching his steed.
Let me accompany you, and as we
journey along will tell you everything
making plain to you matters which
now appear as If enveloped In a cloudw
He hesitated for q few seconds, as
| if doubtful how to act; then he put
spurs to his horse, and bade her fol-
low him.
In an apartment at Eagle Tower, a
few days after the events above re-
corded, an act of atonement was being
enacted. Sir Basil was sitting up in
bed, prOpped by pillows; Gertrude was
by his side, and q man, in holy orders,
in an impressive voice, was reading the
marriage ceremony. There was no
mockery this time; the solemn rite was
being performed by one of known in
tegrity, one of high standing in the
| church.
But he was thus vo wing to love, cher
ish and protect the woman by his side
was dying man. Yes, Sir Basil Dove
tree was slowly fading away. A gal
Looping consumption which had no doubt
been brought on by undue excitement
and by grief and horror at the awful
crime he had committed, was rapidly
extinguishing his unhappy lffe
Gertrude had explained everything
to him; wherefore she had been forced
to abandon her home and accompany
the creole; how she had escaped out
of his power, and returned to Eagle
| tn fo1I fnfn hi xxysalt n6
hands again.
Sir Basil's head was bowed in re-
pentance and sincere sorrow ror all
he lad done. The evil tempter was no
longer by his side, and he was a chang