The leader., 1897-09-22

deathly pallor overspread the beauti-
ful face, and one drop of blood rested on
the crimson lip where her small, white
tooth had left its cruel impress.
I'VE have come TO ask your congratu-
lations, Miss May, although l have as
sured your cousin how sincere know
they will be. Is your father within?"
mo, l believe not, and without the
consent of ones guardian, congratula-
tons, l infer, are premature. However,
you may rest assured of mine, IL you
consider them of moment"
The tone in which she spoke gave no
betrayal of the conflict she endured, and
at the words Bell started forward.
How kind of you, dear cousin, to
share my happiness" but something,
unnoticed by the man, warned her to
say no more-to draw back chilled, she
could scarce tell why, and send the mo-
mentary impulse of affection back to its
fountainhead. A shadow of underlined
dread crept over her; not even her low
er's kiss, with his promise to return
early in the morning that the important
interview might be accomplished, could
dIssipate a shadow which took visible
form, as on the following day she was
summoned from the breakfast room to
her uncle's study, and met her cousin
just leaving it with an expression of
| triumphant assurance she was unable
to conceal.
With unusual urbanity, after careful
Iy closing the door, Mr.. Fielding mo-
| toned her to a seat.
Il hear" he began, clearing his throat,
that Mr.. Armstrong has asked you to
become his wife. This both amazes and
pains me. Amazed because you certain
~ must have conducted your courtship
with unbecoming secrecy, and panied
because it forces me into disclosures
| which will make this marriage an i'm
possibility"
The shadow had fallen now. She felt
il suffocatng her, but she awaited the
rest in silence.
Had your hand been sought by one
whose name was of less lustre, and
whose birth, station, and immense
wealth forced him to less necessarily
maintain it, | might have kept silent.
Now | cannot consistently do so, there
fore ! must tell you your father is not
dead, as you have supposed, but still
| lives, a fugitive from justice!"
Lives! My father! Thank God!"
From her white lips broke the exclama-
don of gratitude, unheeding the barrier
which had forbidden all these years his
acknowledging himself TO his child.
81 will not here speak of the character
of his offense, save that the clemency of
one man saved him from disgrace" he
continued, restlessly pacing the floor, as
though even his hard nature shrank
from his self-appointed task. His eyes
were CHANGING over at the white, suffer
ing face of the girl he was stabbing
with each word. at only remains for
me to apprise Mr.. Armstrong of these
facts to induce him at once to renounce
your hand of his own accord, or in
mercy to your pride inform him you
have repented too hasty decision and
wish to be free. Which course will you
choose?"
''Sir, your blood is in my veins. The
question is therefore scarcely neces-
sary. l shall never see Loring Arm
strong again. Word it as you will, only
if it be true that my father lives, l
would share his exile, aye if needs be
his disgrace. Write him it is my wish,
and gain quickly his consent"
A dark red flush overspread her lis
tener's brow, and his voice was hoarse
as he replied:
mo letter could reach him. AS SOON
as possible l will let him know of your
desire"
Slowly Bell rose and left the room,
wondering if years had not elapsed
since last she had entered it, A dull
wonder took possession of her in thu
weeks that followed as to why her lovec
so calmly had accepted her sudden rs
lection of his suit. She did not know a
faint hope had tempered the first force
of the blow, the hope that he would
break down any barrier, leap any OBJ
stacle which might prevent his claim
ing her for his own. But since the few
brief hours they had spent together,
| when he had won her promise, he had
vanished. Not even Mays wiles could
draw him to her side since he had dis
appeared from their midst. So, sit
| ting alone and weary, she was startled
one evening, as the first snow lay upon
the ground. by the entrance of stran-
ger. Gray hairs mingled with the
brown, but as he stood silent one mo-
ment before her a thrill of expectation
gave her premonition of the future,
and when he opened his arms with the
talismanic words "My daughter" she
| sprang to their embrace. But as he re-
leased her, another stood waiting, as
Loring Armstrong said:
Have won my reward, Bell?"
CHANGING for one moment into the
noble features of the parent she had lost
so long, and failing to read one sign
which should proclaim him capable of
wrong, she could no longer hesitate, as
with rapturous bliss she felt herself
! once more EMBODIED in her lovers arms.
Nor did he let her go when her uncle
was summoned to their presence, so
changed, so white, so fear-stricken that
she could but feel thrill of pity at her
heart, a pity which made her plead his
cause when the sad truth was unfolded,
the truth that to save him her own
father had assumed his crime, the
forgery of note. True to a promise
made to his mother on her death-bed to
protect younger brother. he had gone
forth u wanderer, leaving home and
child-even his wealth-for the guilty
| one.
Loring Armstrong, insisting upon the
issue, had been reluctantly told, and he
it was who determined to win the girl
he loved at any cost, had sought and
found the father, who had sacrificed so
much, and from whose lips, sealed so
| long, he wrung at last the truth.
"You have daughter" confessed the
wretched man, when all had been told,
| "reStored To YOUR arms. Remember, i