Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-03-18
CHAPTER xx.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER XX.-(Continued.)
Molly's fatal answer, inclosing Stella's
letter. arrived ut Torresmuir, and these
letters Ralph handed to his brother-in-
law. That night when Stella went to her
husband's room he handed her the enve-
lope containing the letters and babe her
read them.
With trembling fingers she opened the
envelope and took thence those two
piteous little letters to John Harrington
letters written in such anguish OF soul,
but also in such perfect trust and love.
She tried to read the words, but they
danced before her eyes.
'sYou have read themY said Alan's
voice at last. ''You have read them?'
II remember what / said" returned
Stella. with difficulty.
Alan's face turned still more pale. "Yet
mey' he said, with shaking voice. "You
loved this man when you married me.
oay that you made me believe . lie"
Stella looked at him gravely. soberly.
from ont those beautiful eyes, the tran
guilty of which had always been to him
their greatest charm. Her agitation had
vanished; she was perfectly collected and
unmoved. The shock Of his unjust judg-
ment Of her had steadied her trembling
nerves.
You are wrong" she said. with curl
GUS question. ''Now. hear me, Alan: l
must and will speak now. You have read
my letters. it seems--a thing that
should scarcely have expected you to do
bat ! will forgive You for It II we are
led thereby to full explauation: . clear.
Ing away Of the cloud that has lately
hung about 10. Yon seem to think that
/ wrote those letters Immediately before
] promised to marry you. II you look at
the dates you will see that they were
written . year before. A year is long
time In young girls life, Alan. john
Hannington had indeed won my girlish
love, but he had cast me of when he
found that was poor; he wrote to me-
rejecting the love that he had won. l
was pained-humiliated a time
even thought that was heart-broken.
But little by little learned that it was
not 50. My fancy had been touched; but
I had never given my whole heart to
another-for worthier man."
the while? Stella, my darling"
listen" she went on, ,indexibly.
Everything must be said now II ever it
II to be said at all. loved you, say;
and you threw my love back into my
face. You have distrusted me-insulted
me-been harsher ard crueler aud colder
to me than John Harrington himself;
and l have not been ublc TO bear it, Alan:
! think love will bear anything bu. injus.
tice to itself-disbelief in its existence.
That hurts it, mains it--kills it finally;
there comes day when you look for It
and It is dead"
rs your love for me dead, then,
Stellar Moncrieff asked
She had sank back YEARLY In her chair.
and he stood before her, with arms cross
ed upon his breast, with 4 gray pallor
about his lips.
II am afraid so.''
You mean that have killed it? Let
me have the whole truth: want to know
the worst"
we have failed to be happy together,
and / have been Of no use to Molly: l can
be no use to her now. for you will not
listen when l plead with you to forgive
her. You are merciless to her as you are
merciless to me. Be merciful now" said
his wife. quickly. land set me free"
"Set you free! What do you meany'
Let me so out Of this house," she
pleaded. Let me leave Torresmuir. I
viii make no scandal. will 60 quietly
and openly--as II were going for q long
visit somewhere-and nobody will know
that do not mean to come back again."
Stella, are you mad?"
Indeed, indeed. / think It would be
the best way" she said. 1--WE do NOT
love each other. How can we be happy p
That II not the question:" said Alan.
almost harshly. "You have q duty 70
me, and have one to you; we cannot be
free from one another. I shall never re-
Jesse you. You are my WIFE"
Then AZ her whole form seemed to col
lapse before him, as the tension of her
nerves gave way, he caught her in his
arms and held her. half fainting, closely
to his breast.
Stella did not remember (although she
was afterward todd that she was carried
Hi, Il. her room III Aiail's arms She was
unable 20 rise from her bed. however, for
the NEXT day or two. She felt weak and
broken, M Il ahe had had . severe illness.
On the 9TH day. the sun shone brightly
into her room and inspired her with q
Wish - set up. She was not able to bear
nnch light. and her eyes soon grew dim
ard tired; she cloaed them for Z time,
And plnst have fallen into quiet doxe.
1of when she looked up at last. with
1dden eeaSt, she found that she was not
Aim had come softly into the
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