San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-10-03

think of telling Jaffray. She knew him
30 thoroughly and knew how he would
turn from her act and her shame that
the mere thought of facing him at such
a moment was more than she could en-
dure
For this there was another reason,
known only to herself, and the knowl-
edge of it had set up in her mind hum
dreds of confusing thoughts, fears, i'm
pulses and emotions There was the
hope Of little life that was some day
to be born, and, like a sword piercing
the flesh and turning in the wound to
prolong the agony, was the knowledge
that the child-hers and Jaffray's-
would be the child of shame.
She knew too well what Jaffray
would feel and think and say if once
this knowledge were forced upon him,
and the fear, and the shame, and the
love, and the misery all blended to drive
the wretched girl to distraction.
Gradually out Of the binding mist
and sorrow an idea began to take shape.
II she were to see Pierre and lure him
on to delay any evil plans he might have
formed by promising to work with him,
something might happen to prevent his
doing any harm.
Or, better still, if she were to fly
from the manor house and let him know
that she had done so. he might be driven
from his purpose altogether.
Che oo,,ll COO biy,, fbat nsuhf of no
time and place he had named, and then
she fell to bordering all the points that
occurred to her in this connection.
In the midst of this she was reused by
knock at the door. She made no re-
Spouse, but folded up the letter from
Pierre and put it in her pocket.
The knock came again, firmer and
more impatient, and then voice-Sir
Jaffray 's-called her.
She rose, and, wiping the tears has
tily from her eyes, opened the door.
Here is letter for you. Lola, from
Beryl." he said. giving to her letter
which Lola saw was fastened with a
seal. Then, seeing by her face that she
was troubled, he said very gently.
"What is the matter, dearestf" And he
followed her into the room. "You have
been sitting here alone" he added in a
cheerier voice.
IT am-not-not very WE'LL" she
said, her lips trembling and half refus-
ing to frame any words at all.
"Well, read your letter. Perhaps
Beryl has some good news for you
about her father. Read it and then let
me see whether l can't cheer you up
bit. You are so strong usually that you
startle me when you are like this"
She broke the seal of the letter and
opened it and almost instantly shrank
together, while look of intense pain
spread over her strained face, which
turned as white as salt.
"What is the natter Is he dead?"
cried Sir Jaffray, alarmed and think
ing of Mr.. LEICESTER. "Beryl shouldn't
send news like that so suddenly. The
shocks enough to make any one ILL"
By an effort Lola fought down some
of her distress.
"No, he is-not Dead" she answered
very slowly, as though the words
panied her. at was not-not that 1
am not well, dear. I" She smiled family
and weakly, as if to reassure him. II
had IA pain in my heart; that's all.
It's not dear Beryl's letter or-news.
There's nothing-nothing about death
in it, only to say-she can't get here
again for day or two and-would
like me-to go to-her; that's all. I"
She folded the letter and put it away in
her pocket, where it lay against that
which she had had from Pierre.
1t might we'll cause her pain, short
though it was 1t ran thus:
DEAREST LoLA-Come to me- I know the
dreadful load you are bearing, and my heart
Is wrung for you. know you are strong and
brave, but the trial ahead Of you would test
the strongest and bravest. 1t breaks me down
to think that 1t is to me that this has come to
be known. Come to me and help me to shape
the course ahead. When 1 think Of you in that
desperate mans power, l shrink with fear
Come to me. Your friend always, BERYL
The end was closer than ever
There was no mistaking either Beryl's
meaning or the kindness with which
she wished to temper the blow which
she knew her letter must strike.
But the blow had to be struck
"Come to me and help me to shape
the course ahead" Lola knew well
enough the only meaning which those
words could have. The truth had to be
made known and that at once.
She turned cold and shivered at the
thought, and, seeing her SILVER Sir Jaf-
fray, who had no clew to the mental
suffering which she was enduring, set
it down to illness.
"You are ill, Lola" he said very
gently and soothingly. 81 shall send
for DR.. Braithwaite. And be turned to
leave the room.
'Don't CO." she pleaded. "Don't
leave me for a minute. Take me to
your arms once more, Jaffray.''
"'Once more?' What do you mean,
sweetheart" he asked in astonishment
"God forbid that my arms should ever
be closed to you'll
AYE, God forbid it'll" she cried.
NOW pet me and soothe me as you
raod IN xuich fo do in tha dave ,,lxo.x 4