Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-04-25
CHAPTER Mi.
My Love Shall Strive To Make Atone

My Love Shall Strive To Make Atone
ment For The Past"
The fading embers were casting a
dull red glare over the room. painting
distinctly on the opposite panels the
three black bars of the crate. and the
SHADOW Of motionless figure that sat
by the hearth, IN low chair that was
Clare's tavorite. Lionel Stanhope sat
there for hours. He did not know or
heed. did not even hear, perhaps. the
monotonous boom of the breakers far
below His ears were closed to all
outward sounds, his eyes to all out
ward sights.
he had carried his wife to her
chamber, and laid her upon the couch,
and had summoned Eugene. telling
her. her mistress had been troubled
with all that had happened on the
night before. She lay like one dead
for long, very long; and all that Eu-
genie, skilled in such matters. could
do. failed to wake her from her dead
like swoon But at length she had
come back to life, and then sunk into
sleep, murmuring softly TO herself
every now and then, as though her
dreams even were full of sorrow. He
had hidden her faithful attendant to
leave her; he would watch, she had
better retire, he would call her if she
wanted. SO he was left alone to watch
the white statuesque face and read
the look and anguish printed in every
soft line. How fair, how exquisitely
nodded was every feature. How young,
how almost a child she looked, the
silky tiny tresses of her hair strayir Z
over the pillows! Was it true that
those sweet lips had said the words
that had crushed into his soul--"I have
never loved you, l never shall? Should
he never hold more than the beautiful
casket2 The jewel that gone?
Fearing lest his rigid control might
give way, he had left her side and
come and sat by the red embers, and
thought sad, bitter, dark thought :
had held counsel with him.
Was 1t too late to strive with patient
gentleness to win her love, to melt her
pride, to teach her to forget the wrong
he had unwittingly done her? II have
never loved you-I never shall" Like
lead those words fell upon his heart
in answer; and again, as though they
had been spoken by the clear, sweet
voice, he bowed his head low on this
clasped hands.
Softly the inner door, slightly ajar,
was pushed open. Clare came in with
slow, doubtful step. She looked like
some pallid unearthly spirit in the
long white wrapper that she wore, her
hair falling upon her shoulders in
loose. shining tresses. Slowly she
moved forward, setting down the lamp
that she bore, the pale rays of which
cast such grewsome light around.
Had he not heard her, or was it that
he had shut his heart to her, and
would never look on her without stern
ness now? Surely. if she pleaded
humbly-not claiming mercy, only be
seeching it-would he not forgive?
She paused, locking her hands to-
gether, some few PAGES from him, her
breath coming quickly ftfully; then,
with sudden, oyermastering agony,
that no fear could crush back now,
she fell at his feet, bowling her golden
head down upon her shaking hands.
Lionel forgive me--forgiye me-"
came in a passion of appeal from the
quivering lips.
lpttr hA 10 lis
feet, standing for second like one
almost dizzy with the sudden revul-
sion. He saw the white-robed form
crouching like some guilty creature
at his feet. with trembling hands hid
ing her face. With passionate ten
derness that would fain ingulf every
sorrow of hers, he bent to raise her,
lifting her and Unfolding her In his
arms-her shelter-her strong shelter.
my darling" the low, quivering
voice, so broken, so full of infinite
love, thrust her through as with a
sharp dagger, yet was so like sweet
music TO her. "Clare, Glare, try to
think my love could forgive yet more
bitter wrong!"
She chung 10 him, as though in his
very arms lay salvation. Her fingers
closed round his hand with con-
vulsiye clasp that seemed to fear re-
pulse the next second.
save me. save me, Lionel, Don't
cast me from your she cried again
and again in wild entreaty, which
he stroye to soothe.
Cast you away-my wife, my only
trea sureT he said, holding her yet
closer to him, my child. from what
shall | save your
From myself, myself" She moaned
hiding her face-''my own wild, guilty
heart-memory! OH that stings like
a thousand scorpions
Hush. hush. my darling" he said,
his lips touching gently the dear head
against his breast. There Is no guilt
to me this heart beating against mine
is all stainless of sin; thoughts that
will not always yield obedience To-
will are not sin"
ut is true; | did not dream it," she
cried. lifting her head. and knitting
her brows with the spasm Of mental