Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-12-09

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| love you silently 10 the last hour OF
my life--if the truth had not burst to
light and blasted my career and my
good name, innocent though ami"
She raised her hand and looked ut
him affrightedly. His agony was ter
| rible to see. She had been weeping,
| for her cheeks were wet with tears,
but she was past caring for appear
ances.
"what has happened" she asked.
shiveringly.
He left his chair. knelt at her feet.
and took her cold hands In his.
THE dead man has come to life!"
he gasped. Gilbert Carlowe Is in
London! He has heard Of his par
ents' death and seen the will--the will
leaves, as have told you. everything
to their only SON Gilbert Carlowe. He
can prove his identity-but there is no
need of that. will gladly hand him
over the fortune he covets. now that
he has run through his own"
"But the letter." she cried.
"The letter was piece of malice on
tho part of one of his associates. 1t
was written that his patrimony might
pass from him, and that he might
have trouble in regaining 1t when he
discovered the fraud. But the money
Is nothing to me; the worst is yet to
be told. He has openly declared that
have taken advantage of the likeness
between us to fraudulently represent
him. This libel has gained general
credence. The necessary investiga-
ton by the Inner Temple, where was
called to the bar, has followed. l
could make no defense. Mr.. and Mrs.
Carlowe, who would have saved my
character, are dead! The partners Of
the firm l worked for in Paris are
dead! There was no one else to ap-
peal to. My account Of myself went
for nothing, unsupported. ] am dis
barred-ruined, ruined, ruined"
1t was a dreadful cry to hear. He
rose and walked to the window, and
stood there, looking vacantly into the
garden, until calmness returned to
him. Then he approached the girl
once more. She was lying nervelessly
back in her chair, and her eyes were
closed
miss Fernlie," he said, as she
started and looked up at him through
her tears, IF had really been Gilbert
Carlowe, you alone on earth would
have had the power to drive me from
you. But Joseph Brown-once more a
penniIess outcast, with an additional
burden to bear in the shape of stain
laid on his lowly name-can only
humbly bid you farewell"
Lillian rose. AS they looked into
each others white, set face, their
hearts seemed to die within them. She
put her trembling hand in his. They
stood thus for some moments; then he
bent his head over her hand, touched
it tenderly with his lips, dropped it
and turned away. Lillian stood for a
second or so where he had left her, alb
solutely powerless. So this was the
end as he saw it, Could she let it be
the end, too?
The instant her heart put forth that
plea, her lost vitality returned to her.
1t was long room, and he had not yet
reached the door. She few past him.
and setting her back against it, faced
him breathlessly.
"You must make another begin
ming" she painted. you have made
the name Of Gilbert Carlowe famous;
now do the same by Joseph Brown"
He laughed bitterly.
People are not inclined to ap-
preciate ability that has been exhibit
ed under another mans name and
backed by another mans wealth." he
said. Besides, / am without present
resources, and who will trust me
now?"
IL will" she said.
He steadied himself against a
neighboring chair and passed his hand
across his dazed eyes.
She came nearer to him, and stood
with downcast eyes and dropping
head, within few inches of him.
81 love you better than you love
me-" she said, for, Carlowe or Brown,
you alone on earth have the power to
turn me from you. / would rather be
your wife than-empress of the
world!'
He stood TRANSPORTED. Then he
clasped his hands resolutely behind
him, and spoke to her calmly. She
knew the effort it was costing him.
God bless you" he said. you are
an angel, Miss Fernlie." And then
his heart burst all restraints and cried
aloud in its bitter anguish. "Oh, Lii
ian, Lillian, Lillian! II things had
only been otherwise"
She hid her face in her hands and
sobbed bitterly.
IT have nothing in the world, LII
ian," he said; my fortune is all gone
my good nam, Is gone-and the
doors of my profession are closed
against me! At thirty-five years OF
age must begin life again; begin 1t as
l began it twenty-six years ago-from
the gutter"
There is no need" she sobbed. do
not leave me comfortless! have
wealth-build up your fortune with
it."
Never" he cried. you will never
, be any more to me than you are now
unless the day ever comes when l have
re-established a name and position
and when the fruit of my labor car
crafty all your wants. You can never
be any less to me, come what may. But
think of it, Lillian! 4 Even when man
begins life with all the enthusiasm and
: pliability of youth, 1t takes him years