Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-09-11
CHAPTER XI.-fCoNrINUEp.,

It was a blazing hot day, SO hot tina
( blamed myself fer not having start
ed on my ride either early in the
morning or later on, when the power
of the sun began to wane. l wondered
that Grant had not suggested the lat
ter course.
That wonder came coupled win an
other thought, thought which made
nv heart beat. ! remembered how
anxious he had been that l should
make the journey to-day and con-
trasted that anxiety with the impor-
lance of the errand. Could 1t be that
he was for some purpose sending me
out of the way? l role slowly on, CIV
ing this question full consideration,
and the more considered it the more
I became convinced that my errand TO
L'Orient was a ruse. Having deter
mined this, my mind was at once made
up. l halted at the next farmhouse,
and stating that the horse was lame,
left him in charge of the good people
until l could send for him. Then rap
idly l retraced my steps until reached
the top of the cliff from which once
before l had gazed at the house which
held the man on whom I had come
to wreak vengeance. l threw myself
on the turf, and for hours kept my
eyes on the house or on the road which
led to 1t.
If l saw nothing to confirm my sus-
picions l could regain my horse and
ride to Torrent after nightfall. There
would be moon and l could no doubt
find my way.
So, with eager eyes, watched and
watched, until at last saw, struggling
up the hill opposite to me, carriage,
which must have passed through st.
Seurin. I saw it appear and disap-
pear, according to the bends of the
road; then emerge on to the table-land,
and, finally, stop in front of the farm
house. My heart leaped with delight.
l saw Grant come out and assist
some dark figures to alight. I saw them
enter the house. l saw the carriage
and horses taken to the stables at the
back of the farm. Then 1 rose and
went to meet what fate had in store
for me.
I descended the one hill, climbed the
other, and walked briskly toward the
farm. I felt sure that the carriage
seen by me had brought Viola to my
temporary home. Grant knew that she
was coming; hence the errand on
which l had been sent. I chafed at
the thought of how nearly had fallen
into the trap.
About hundred yards from the
house l saw on my left hand, seated
on a stone on the edge of the cliff,
the form of woman. My heart beat
80 violently that for moment I was
forced to stand still.
Changed as was her dress, unfamil-
lar her attitude, l should have known
her among a thousand. At last, after
an interval of two years, l saw Viola!
She was clothed in black-she. who
formerly detested the somber hue! She
was sitting with her hands clasped
round her knee, her head bent for
ward, in a sad, thoughtful attitude.
She seemed to be gazing at the sea be-
low, yet seeing or hearing nothing.
,Noiselessly I crept over the soft turf
until I was close to her.
Now that the moment for which l
had longed had come, what should l
do? Cover her with reproaches? Cold
ly demand an explanation? Insist upon
her returning at once to her duty?
No; none of these. My only thought
was to throw myself at her feet, to
clasp her in my arms, to cover her
face with kisses, to swear that, not
withstanding all the past, l loved her
as of old. In another second l should
have done all this.
But suddenly she turned her head
and saw me. She started to her feet,
and with low cry which told Of pain,
even horror, turned and fled toward
the house.
I followed, overlook her, and seized
her hands "Viola! my love! my wife"
I cried, "why do you fly from me?'
She made no reply, but struggled to
free herself.
Speak! look at me, dearest! l
pleaded. "Tell me ALL can forgive!
Tell me nothing save that you love
mev'
She looked at me, her eyes full of
fear. "Let me CO." she said hoarsely,
"'or I shall die!"
"Neverr l said until you have told
me all. What does it mean? What
nm I to think?"
She laughed wildly. Think? Think
that am false to you-that I love an
other-that 1 hate you! But let me go.
Julian, let me go!"
Her voice sank to piteous entreaty
as she spoke the last words.
"Never" l repeated. I wound my
arms round her and kissed her pas
sionately. She trembled in every fiber
of her body and when once more her
ewes met mine the look in them posi-
Suddenly, by a supreme effort, she
tore herself from my arms and fled
ron;dIv tnward the farm I was on the