Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-10-12
BETRAYED;
oh
A DARK MARRIAGE
MORN.
A Romance Of LoUe, Intrigue cnd
Crime.
BY MRS. ALICE P. CHARLESTON.
CHAPTER XXX L

Ohdhb 444V % q " Iva @A~~~Ne N~NN-
her poor angel.
Seeing the man on his knees, she could
not comprehend it, and only exclaimed,
simply:
Are you mad, Mr.. Slyme?'
"Yes, l am mad!' Slyme threw his hair
back " ith rcmant gesture common to
him and, he believed, TO the Toets. Yes,
am mad with love and with pity, for
see your suffer ngs, pule and noble
VicOmi"
Flora only stared in blank astoniSh-
ment
"Repose yourself with confidence" he
continued, "on heart that will be de-
voted to you until death heart into
which your tears now roll to its most
sacred depths"
Flora did not wish her tears to roll to
such distance so she dried them.
A man on his knees before the woman
he adores must appear to her either
sublime or ridiculous. Unfortunately
the attitude OF Slyme, at once theatrical
and awkward, did not seem sublime to
Flora. To her liye'y imagination 1t was
IRE sistibly ludicrous.
A bright CLEAN of amusement illumlned
her charming countenance; she bit her
lips to conceal it, but 1t shone out OF her
eyes nevertheless
One should never kneel unless sure of
rising coaqueror. Otherwise, like Slyme,
he exroses himself to be laughed at.
Rise, Mr.. Slyme, sa d Flora, gravely
This book has evidently teWildered you.
Go and take some rest and Ne will forget
this; only you must never forget your
self again in tn manner
Slyme rose. He wa liyid.
Mrs. Cleveland, lie sa d, bitterly, the
love of great heart can never be an
offepse. Mine at least would have been
sincere mine would ave cen faithful
mine would ret have been an infamous
snars !"
The emphasis Of these words displayed
so evident an intention, the countenance
of Flora changed Immediately. She
moved uneasily on the lounge.
What do you mean, Mr. Slyme?"
Nothing. ma'am, which you do not
know, think, he lepliel meaaingy.
She rose.
You shall explain your meaning i'm
mediately to me, sir !" she exclaimed; or
later, to my husband.
But your sadness, Your tears, cred
the secretary, in a tone Of admirable sin
cerity; these made me sure you were
not Ignorant of it :"
"Of what? How he hcsitates Speak,
mani"
Il Iamrot a wretch! I love you and pity
you:-that is all" and Slyme sighed
deeply.
And why do you pity ms?"
She spoke haughtily; md though Slyme
had never suspected this imperlousness
of manner or of language, he reHectt Ct
hurredly on tbe point at which he bad ar
rived. More sure than ever of success,
after a moment he TOOK from his ocket a
folded letter.
1t was the one with which be hal pro-
vided himself 10 confirm loras sus-
picions. now awaSen ID for the first time
In Trofound silence he unfolded 1t and
handed it 10 her.
She hesitatel a moment, tnen seized it.
A single glance Recognized the writing,
for she ii often exchanged notes WI Il
Cora.
Words of tie most burni' g passion
terminated thus:
Always a little jealous of Flo; half
vexed at wing given her to you. For
she is pretty, and-but l! l am beautiful,
am 1 not, my beloved? and above all, l
adore you"
At the first word Flora became fear
fully pale. Finishing. she uttered fe r.
ful G can, re-rel I'd the letter, a"d re-
turned it to Slyme, rs if UNCONSCIOUS OF
what she was dong
For few seconds she remained motion
less -petrfed here fixed on vac ncy.
A world Sc med rolling down and crush
ing her heart.
Suddenly she turned, passed with pid
steps into her boudoir; and Slyme heard
the souni of OF ening and shutting draw
ers.
A moment after she reappeared with hat
and cloak, and crossed the boudoir with
the me stroag an rapid step.
SLIME, territed 10 death, rushed to
stop Ter.
Mrs Cleve andl" he cried, THROWN :
himself before her.
She waved him aside with an lmEeri-
GUS gesture of her hand. He trembled q
and oheyed. and she left the boudoir.
moment later she was on the avenue,
going toward Broadway.
It was now near mi night; cold, damp
weather. with the rain falling i'll great
drops. The few pedestr ans still on the
broad pavcment turned 10 follow with
their ewes this majestic lady, whose gait
seemed hastened by some errand o. life
or death.
But in New York nothing is surpris-
ing, for people witness all manner of
things there. Therefore, the strange ap
pearance of Flora did not excite any eX-
trSordinary attention.
A few men smiled and nodded; others
threw few words OF ral.lery at her.
Bob were unheeded alike
Rea hing Madison Square, she stopped
near the fountain. IN SCUM of the
falling water eau hit her 7. She leaned
against tree, and gazed into the a9itated
pool; then bowing her head, she sighed
eroaning sigh, and turped back.
Hurrying up Fifth avenue, she passed
her own door, and soon reached the Ellis
ton mansion.
Arrived there, the unfortun te ch Id
knew not what 10 do, nor even why she
had come. She had some vague design,
as though to assure herself p Up lbiy OF
her misfortune; 10 touch 1t with hel
finger. or rerhaps 10 find some reason,
some pretext to Go"bt it.
She dropped down on the stone >te1s
and hid her face in both her han Is, valnly
striving to think.
It was past midnight he stree's
were deserted; a shower Of rain WAS fall
inc. and she was chilled to numbnsss.
& policeman pas ell by. Ho turned
and stared at the young woman, then
tookher roughly by the arm.
What are you doing here?" he asked,
b:Ltally.
eyes ,
Tie man looked more c'osely her
discovered through all her conlusloi