The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-07-18

''f NV
know, Li-beth. If she did not know,
why is Tho dead. She had no dis
ease, nothins bu a brokon heart"
"Clemcnt, you do not mean it, you
cannot think it, how could she know?
Has she ever upbraided you with the
past? impossible. She would not
have loved me as she did ii abe had
had any suspicion of the trith."
"Why, then, did she G,e?"
"Because God willcd it. She was
always delicate, never really recov-
cred from the baby's birth, and its
death killed her."
lie seized sbeth by both wrists in
a grasp that hurt, and dragging her
to the side of the couch where the
poor dead woman lay, he said almost
tiercely, "Swea to me here, Lisbeth,
beside my dead darling, that you
believe she died ignorant of my
crimes"
"Before God l believe it,, Clement.
She thought that at times you were
strange and there was something
very wrong about you, nee she had
a fancy that your odd ways we're the
result of drink, but of any worse
offense than that, | feel certain she
had not the slightest suspicion; so
be comforted and believe she died
loving you as d~evotedly as she did
the day che married you"
"N1arried me-woman, how dare
you mock NE with the word, mar
ried," and he thrust Lisbeth from
him as though she were solely to
blame for the misery of the past.
Then he threw himself on Lady
Gertrude's body and in wild passion
ate tones begged and implored her
to look at him once more and say
that she forgave: Li.beth was at
her wits end-she was powerless to
comfort or console. Fortunately
carriage wheels were heard APP
preaching, and Lord Melbury, who
had been summoned, but who had
arrived too late, entered the room
accompanied by DR.. Watson.
Lisbeth felt she could rely on DR..
Watson whatever the difficulty, but
she was sorry to see Lord Melbury,
though of course it was only right
that he should be there, but she
dreaded what Sir Clement, unman-
ned by grief as he was, might mad
verify say.
1t is al acknowledged fact, how
ever, that gel f-preservation as a rule
of course decided maniacs are an
exception-with most people is
stronger than emotion. Certainly it
was so with Clement Dunraven. He
pulled himself together with a vigor-
Gus effort such as surprised Lisbeth
who had not believed him capable of
it, and spoke to them so nationally,
though of course with such sorrow
ing despair, that there was no fear
of his betraying his own secrets.
This being the case, Lisbeth, think
ing her presence in the house now
that Lady Gertrude had breathod
her last, might create a scsn ial, pre-
pared to take her departure. DIR.
Watson said that if she would wait a
few minutes ne would drive her
home.
This she was by no means anxious
for, as, since Elvira's engagement to
Sir Miles Berkeley had been an
nounced, Dr.. Watson's assiduity, as
he had no longer to fear Sir Miles as
a rival, had considerably II rcased.
He told her, however, that he par
ticularly wished to speak to her, ard
as she did not imagine that he in
tended to propose at such n j%uncture,
she consented to wait for him.
She went downstairs into the hall
and sat down in a large arm chair.
She was very weary, having been up
for several consecutive nights with
Lady Gertrude. Her strength was
wellnigh spent, yet sleep was far
from her eyes. Her brain seemed to
be in q state of unnatural excite
ment, and reason with herself though
she might, she could not quiet it.
She ought to be mistress here, and
he was sitting like a servant waiting
in the hall. That ia what it seemed
to her that some demon was whis-
pering. Then the thought of the
dear dead nj upstairs came
forcibly into her mind and she Won
Gered that she, a convict's daughter,
dared to think of placing herself on
an equality with the high-bCrn Lady
Gertrude. End herself in those
erand rooms, even if Sir Clement
wished it-no, never, never coull
such a thing happen.
"But Lisa, your child" again
whispered the tempting voice, Lisa,
who is really heiress to all thi
wealth and splendour, have you no
ignored her enough, have you any
right to keep her out of her inherit
ance." Once more she turned q
deaf a to the appeal made so de-
terminately on her maternal love.
"No," she said, Sin life Lady Ger
trude has stood before everyonc
else, ever since 1 made that promise
of secrecy to Clement, and in death
she shall still hold the first place."