The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-06-19
CHAPTER XIu.-tCoxr1SuEp.,

AlSAd1ullHc SlOOu q ulOllcuL IA IiN
ioor, looking at the lovely picture pre-.
sented by her young hostess. A pang
vague and unacknowiedged, wrung hel
heart, and showed itself on her coun.
tenance. But she came forward with
expressions Of admiration.
You are perfect, Margie-absolutely
perfect! Poor gentlemen. how l pity
them tonight. How their wretched
hearts will acheI'
Margie laughed.
Nonsense, Alex, don't be absurd
Go and dress yourself. l am going to
the opera, and you must accompany
u.s."
"Us-who may that plural pronoun
embody?"
"Myself-and Mr.. Trevlyn."
"Ah! thank you. MI. Trevlyn may
not care for an addition to his nice lit
tie arrangement for a t~ete-a-tete."
Don't be vexed, Alexandrine. We
thought you would pass the evening at
your friends, and Archer only came
in to tell me a few hours ago."
"Of course | am not vexed, dear,
and the girl kissed Margie's glowing
cheek. Lovers will be lovers the world
V Silly things, always, and never
interesting company for other people
How long before MI. Trevlyn is coming
for you?" Q
Margie consulted her watch.
"At eight. 1t is now seven. In an
hour"
In an hour! An hours time! Long
enough to change the destiny OF en-
pires,"
How strangely you talk, Alexan-
drine, What spirit possesses you
asked Margie, filed, in spite of herself,
with a curious ~premonition of evil.
Alexandrine sat down by the side OF
her friend. and looked searchingly into
her face, her great black eyes holding
Margie with a sort of serpent-like fas-
cination.
Margaret, you love this Archer
Trevlyn very dearly, do you not?"
Margie blushed crimson, but she an
swered, proudly:
why need l be ashamed to confess
It? I do. 1 love him with my whole
soul
and you do not think there is in
you any possibility of a CHANGE"
"A change. What do you mean. Ex-
plain yourself"
you do not think the time will ever
come when you will cease to love Mr..
Archer Trevlyn?"
1T will comet" Margie replied,
Indignantly, never, while I have my
reason.'
do you believe in loves immortal
81 believe that all rue love is change
less as eternity, 1 am not a child. Alex
andrine, to be blown about by every
passing breeze"
No, you are a woman now, with a
woman's c%apability of suffering. You
ought, also, to be possessed of woman's
resolution of a woman's strength 10
endure sorrow and affection"
Il have never had any great Attic
ton. AleXandrine. The death of Mr..
Linmere was horrible to me, but it
was not as if I had loved him; and
though I loved Mr.. Trevlyn, my guard
ian, he died so peacefully, that 1 "a
not wish him back. And my dear pa
rents-I was so young then, and they
were so willing to go! No, I do not
think I have yer had any great sor-
row, such as blast peoples whole life
But you think you will always con
tinue to love Archer Trevlyn?"
How strangely you harp on that
What do you mean? There is
behind all this; l see it in
your face. You brighten mew
"Margie, all people are blind some
times, but more especially women,
when they love. Would it be a mercy
to open the eyes of n who, in happy
was walking yer a precipice
the flowers hid from her view?"
Nargie s%huddered, and the beautiful
color fed from her cheek.
I do not comprehend you. Why do
YOU keep me in suspense?"
Because dread to break the charm.
You will hate me for it always, Margie.
never love those who tell US dis
agreeable truths, even though it be for
our good"
I do not know what you would tell
ne. Alexandrine, but l do not think
shall hate you for it."
Not if l tell you evil Of Archer Trev-
lyn?"
II will not listen to it" she cried, in
4 expected as much. Well, Margie,
you shall lot. I will hold my peace;
but if ever, in the years to come, the
terrible secret should be revealed to
you-the secret which would then de-
stroy your happiness for all time-re-
member that 1 would have saved you.
and you refused to listen"
She drew her shawl around her Shout
ders. and rose to GO.
Margie caught her arm.
What is it, You shall tell me Sus-
pense is worse than certainty"
And if l tell you, you will keep 81
Silent as the grave itself?"