Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-07-17
CHAPTER XIV.

No moment Of peace came 10 Lady TIL.
da. either by night or by day. 1t was
her fault--all her fault. She could see Il
plninly now that II was too late-she
ought not TO have left him; she should
have been more patient; and just because
Il was her fault, Il seemed to her that she
must do all she could. II was not easy.
When the sun shone on the roses and the
lovely Laughing world seemed to unite
them, when Lord Dunhaven would say,
duchess Lurline, come and see the
roses" or, Duchess Lurline, II you will
find seat under the cedar l will read to
YOU" II was not easy then to intrude
herself, to ask II she too might listen II he
were going to read. She could do Il some.
times, not often; but Il made no difference.
Lord Dunhaven never said to himself
that he wanted to talk to the duchess
about his affection for her; he did not pur.
posely seek for long tete-a-tetes with her.
He was 10 secure In himself, In his good
Intentions. that he said as much when
Lady Hilda was with them M when they
were alone. He had never owned to him.
self that he loved her. though he worship.
ed the very sound Of her name. He tried
to blind himself to realities, and In some
measure he succeeded. Lady Hilda saw
that she was quite powerlcss, she could
but watch and pray.
One lovely, sunlight morning, some Of
their visitors had left them. and those
expected had not arrived: when they rose
from the breakfast table. Lord Dunhaven
said to the mistress Of Fernhurst:
"NOthing could DO more pleasant this
morning than to 90 out among tho roses;
a N A.,
II should like that better than any.
thing else" said the duchess. and Lady
Hilda, who stood by, raised her eyes
with such sudden wistful entreaty that
tho earl was touched by II.
"Will you como with US, Miss DUNN"
he asked quietly.
"Yes. ! should like Il very much" she
answered.
They went all three together: they walk.
cd slowly through the rose garden. The
duchess loved that spot better than any
other In Fernhurst, just because tho roses
grew there.
II love roses" she said to Lord Dun.
haven. as they stood looking at tho Won.
derful varlety--crlms0n. white damask,
maiden blush, moss rOse-all In such
luxuriant profusion.
~ WISH, he said. shat I were rose.
I should ask nothing better. duchess, than
to live for one hour In your hands, then
de-"
ut would be a short iife." she said.
ut would be longer In Its happiness
than life Of fifteen years." he said. II
eau picture II. ] would be deep Grim.
son rose; would have all the beauty and
perfume Of the queen Of flowers; then
you. walking through the rose garden,
would gather mo; then"
"Well, after thenY" she said laughing.
~, "what after theny"
"ThOse sweet white hands would caress
me; the fair face bend over me; perhaps
the sweet lips would praise me, and then,
bending over me. You would kiss me. and
In that kiss l would die, give up my flow.
or life; In that one kiss my leaves should
all fall to the ground and die there"
",rhat Is like Il little poem," she said
II am very glad that You are not rose
SO that one light touch Of mine might de-
strOy YOU"
"The destruction would be very pleas
ant" no whispered.
And Lady Hilda. hearing all that pass.
cd. clinched her white fingers lest the hot
| jealous pain should force cry from heI
| lips. They went on to the great cedar
tree that stood In the grounds-a tree tina,
was the admiration of every one who saw
it--One of the finest cedars In England; II
was like beautiful shady house; 1t wal
Of enormous size, and the great dropping
boughs made complete rOOm-the Ouch
ess called 1t her garden room. Pretty
picturesque chairs and tables were placed
under the shade. 1t was u little earthly
| paradise-the beautiful light, the ricl
] greensward, the bright flowers blooming
| all round. the music of the birds; no won
der that Duchess Lurline preferred 1t tt
the magnificent drawing room wherein
kings and queens had been entertained
They were soon seated, and Lord Dun
haven began to read to them; but yery
soon the book fell from his hands and h
began to talk.
ITO be cOntinuedl