Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-05-07
CHAPrER xyIu.-(Coxrrxuln.)


side. She looked up. and saw the face
of Louis Castrani.
Miss Harrison. you will. trust, OK
cuse me for seeking you here. But my
wish to see you was 80 strong, that, on
my way to the White Mountains. I left
my party and turned aside here. to
crafty the desire. You know you gave
me permission?"
"I did; but 1 hardly thought you
would take advantage Of It"
Perhaps ought not to have done 30.
Indeed. tried hard not to. Arc you
very angry?"
mo. ] am not angry at all. I am
glad to see you" She held out her
hand $50 is Leo. too-only see him
caper."
The dog was leaping upon Mr.. Cas-
trani, with the liveliest demonstrations
Of Joy. He patted the silky head.
"It is something to be welcomed by
a brute. Miss Harrison: their instincts
are seldom at fault. I believe. Have
you been we'll. Miss Harrisonf"
Very well. thank you. And youf
But need not ask. Your looks answer
for you. When did you leave New
York;"
II have been In New York only fort
night since 7 last saw you. Business
has kept me elsewhere. came from
New York three days ago. What q
beautiful spot you have hidden yourself
inv'
II am pleased to hear you say 30.
Isn't It lovely? But you must tell me
about home. How are all my friends?"
They are all well. How mellowly the
sunshine falls on the rough crags op-
posite. and what picture for paint
er to transfer to canvas!'
Eyes, I have wished were an art
list. over and over again. But I have
no talent In that direction. My friends
are all we'll. you say? What Of Miss
Lee? Did you see herr"
"Yes. she is well. What are you
reading?" lifting the book from the
ground where It had fallen.
| Margie turned suddenly upon him
and regarded him searchingly.
why do you evade answering my
questions. Mr.. Castrani? It Is nat
ural that should want to hear some
thing Of the home from which have
been SO long away. Is It not! Why do
you refuse to satisfy my reasonable
curiosity on that subject?"
Casfrnni's handsome face clouded-
He looked at her with tender pity in his
eyes.
Miss Harrison. why will you press
me further? Your friends are all we'll"
"I know. but there Is something be-
hind that. Tell It to me at once"
Il cannot-indeed, ! cannot. You
must hear It from other lips. I would
rather die than cause you one single
pang of sorrow"
You are very kind. Mr.. Castrani-
you mean generously-but I want to
know" Some subtle Instinct seemed to
tell her what she was to hear-for she
added. rs It Of Miss Lee?"
Il told you Miss Lee was we'll"
"Mr. Castrani. have given you moro
of my confidence that ! have ever be-
slowed on any other person, because
respect you above all men. and because
I have perfect confidence In your honor.
Has this matter. Of which you hesitate
to tell me. anything to do with-with
Archer Trevlyn?"
Her voice sank to whisper. before
the sentence was finished. for she had
never spoken his name since that fear
ful night on which his guilt had been
revealed to her.
| Il Will reply to your question by ask
Ing another: and, II 1t seems impsrti-
nent. remember that II is not 30 in
tended. and that do not ask It from
any vulgar feeling Of curiosity"
"You can ask nothing impertinent.
Mr.. Castrani." she replied. earnestly.
| Thank you. I do ! 1t intend to.
Are you betrothed to Archer Trevlyn p
She grew very pale. but her eyes met
his fearlessly.
Il was once. but It is all over now. +"
with dreary sigh. that was like the
breath OF the autumn wind through tho
dead leaves.
Before you left New York-was IL
over before that?"
Yes. before I left New York. II was
why left there. cannot tell you how
II was-I can never tell any human
being. But terrible necessity arose
which forced US apart"
| "Did he-did Arch Trevlyp desert
you. Miss Harrison?" asked Castraui.
his brow contracting. his dark eyes
glowing with Indignation.
mo: It was my hand that severed the
engagement; do not blame him for that.
1t was impossible that It should be full
filed"
You, Miss Harrison? You broke the
engagementf" he asked, eagerly.
Pernaps she read something In the
beautiful hope that sprung up In his
heart from the glad light In his eye.
and she crushed It at once.
Yes. I. But not because I had
ceased to love him. o, no. He vas-is
and will be always-the one love of
my lifetime. I shall never love an
other. Now. have trusted you. Be
frank and free with me-"
''well-since you ask II, Mr.. Trsv-
lyn and Miss Lee are to be married in
September
To Miss Lee-married to Miss Lear
Great Heaven! And she Is aware Of
his-wha. am I saying? What did I
say? o. Mr.. Castrani. excuse mel
am so-surprised-" She CROPPED blind.
ly Tor something to cling to, fell for
ward. and he received her senseiess
form In hi.