The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-02-26


h(6 fOotm9n rang the bell,
~ and, alighting, she en-
tered the hall, running quickly up
stairs to the drawing room.
Her tall figure was still slight and
girlish; her blue eyes wore a look of
elation; for her beauty had never
aroused greater admiration, her sue
cess had never been more triumphant
than that evening.
"Has baby been all right?" she
asked her maid. ooh, and can you
tell me whether Mr.. Fordyce has come
home /"
"Mr. Fordyce came home at TO-"
was the answer. ''He has been in the
study"
Not waiting for the end of the sem
tence, Norah went downstairs again.
"Too bad, Digby, Shabby not to
turn up"
She had begun to speak as she
opened the door, but as soon as she
saw his face, stopped abruptly.
The room was cloudy with tobacco
smoke. Though the June evening
was hot, the fire had been lighted and
the CRATE was full of papers burned to
cinders; but what astonished her the
most was Digby's own appearance. AS
he stood upright their eyes met for a
moment; then his were cast down
shamefacedly. he had shaved off his
heavy black mustache, Transforming
his swarthy, handsome face; he wore
a shooting suit instead of his evening
clothes.
"What is the matter, Digby?" she
demanded-"if you really are your
self"
T-I-by heaven II can't tell you.
Norah."
Drawing nearer she rested her hand
caressingly on his shoulder.
Anything serious, darling?"
'I've got to make a bolt Of it.
There's not a minute to lose. To-
morrow will be too late. l only want
cd to see you. 1 couldn't go without,
happen what might"
"But don't-I don't understand" "
she faltered, gazing into his face in
bewilderment.
"I've played my game and lost ;
that's all. For the last four years We
been a heaven help mel 1t will be
all over the town tomorrow. I lost
my last chance to-day. My name will
be a byword.
Sitting down, she could still stare
up helplessly into his pale, haggard
face. The diamonds in her fair, brown
hair caught the gaslight and sparkled.
"Barford will know everything di-
rectly he gets to the Office tomorrow,
Digby continued 81 must be out OF
the way before then. Norah. I should
like to see the youngster."
Automatic allyshe rose and left the
room, shivering as she drew her rich
plush cloak round her shoulders. On
her return, she made charming pic
ture, standing with the four-months.
old child in her arms just as she had
taken him from his cot.
Poor little beggar y muttered Dig
by. bending over him.
Laying him gently on one of the
large armchairs, Norah faced her hus.
band.
I'll can't realize it yet, she said.
81 have looked forward to nothing
else the last four years.
''Before-before you married meP'
she demanded. "You knew this when
you first met me You knew it, and
asked me-"
81 loved you, Norah."
"Love I" she cried, contemptuously.
"And you loved me"
81 loved the man I thought you
were. A man who never existed.
''For heavens sake be merciful l''
he said, buttoning his coat,
"You have made me party to your
Grimes" she cried, and raising her
hands, trembling with anger, she tore
from her hair the diamond tiara.
''At least a word OF forgiveness, he
said, taking up the jewel quietly, and
thrusting it in his jacketpocket. "Just
a word before we part-it will be for
ever, Norah."
81 can't forgive you, she answered,
''It is no use. could forgive much
ii it had begun since our marriage, il
might have been different. But you
deceived me too utterly"
1t had fallen upon her like a bolt
out of the blue, without a warning
sign, at the moment of her supreme
success. Henoeforth she would be
known only as the wife of a defaulting
solicitor. Her love seemed to be
crushed, together with her hopes.
Long after he had gone, while the
child lay sleeping on the chair, Moral
stood IN the smoky room, half dazed
by the recent disclosure, till the day
broke. and q new era in her life began.
"Ah, NoIsb. anything upf WhsTs'i
Digbyr