People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1895-01-24

could not live without him; let me gov
"Let her 60, Miss Lovell,n said
Colonel North, in tone Of deep emo
ton. "You mean well, you are very
good. But she could never be happy
there again-never again"
"And Hove him, Audrey; that shall
be my religion-love. You know
what l have missed in my life, and
now have found it. / love him; let
me 60, Audrey; love is BEST
"No, it is not" cried-"it Is not
best, not such love as this Fear Of
God and love of duty are best. Oh,
Lady Latimer, you cannot pass those
gates, an angel bars the way!"
"She shall gol' said Colonel North,
in low, resolute voice. "Unclasp
your arms, Miss Lovel. | have won
her by right Of love; she is mine and
| shall take herr"
l frightened my clasp on the tremb-
ling figure.
"She belongs to Lord Latimer," I
said, land while he lives no man shall
take her from him."
She flung her arms round nv neck.
and cried to me:
"Let me 60, Audrey; / cannot re-
turn; let me 90 with him-I love him
I love HIM"
NO" | answered; ''you are not
strong enough to save yourself, but |
am strong enough to save you. In
less you, Colonel North, strike me
down dead, you shall not take her."
81 do not kill women" said Colonel
North.
"You do worse cried; "you ruin
their souls. You pretend that YOU
love this poor child; you would be
kinder far, drawer far, if you plunged
dagger in her heart, than take her
away with you. The murder of the
body is little compared to the murder
Of a SOUL"
He started as though my words had
shot him; his hands fell from her. I
threw my arms round her and drew
her closer to me.
There is no time to lose.n 7 said.
"lf you take one, you take both; il
you take Lady Latimer, you take me;
| will not loose my hold on her until
she is safe from you. l repeat there
is no time to lose. You do not fear
my words; | shall give a cry that will
soon bring help to u.s."
mo, no." he cried, hastily.
But did. wonder now that I had
the nerve. gave a long, low cry,
and the next minute we saw a LIGHT in
one OF the windows Of the lodge.
"Look," | said, ave shall have help
SOON"
go, Philip" said Lady Latimer;
"go, there is no help for u.s."
81 could curse you for your cruel
work." he said.
"You will bless me some time" I
answered.
"Let Inc say goodbye oyou Philip"
cried Lady Latimer, and her voice
was full of anguish. "Ah, nv love,
my love, found so late and lost for
ever!n
lone word, Colonel North, | said.
81 will keep your secret, but it must
be on my own terms. You must leave
the house tomorrow morning under
the pretext that you have received a
telegram, and you must swear to me
that you will never return. If YOU do
so, shall at once tell Lord Latimer
all that has passed"
He bowed; he could not speak; and
as he turned away from me l saw the
tears rain down his face. Then we
had to draw back and stand in silence
under the dark shade of the trees. for
the lodge-keeper came out, lantern in
hand, followed by his wife.
81 am sure | heard voices" he said.
81 am sure heard cry" she re-
piled.
They looked about for some time,
then went indoors again.
| could not help his turning back and
taking Lady Latimer in his arms again.
One quick, passionate embrace and
he was gone. / led her home. She
did not weep, but from her lips came
a low, soft moan.
Never mind if she died Of it; l had
saved her from worse than death.
We spoke no word until we reached
the house. | knew we must run some
risk.