Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-10-16
till an approaching footstep startled hin
from that trance Of fear.

till an approaching footstep startled hin
from that trance Of fear.
He turned and saw n tall, slim figure
drawing near, that black.robcd, girlish
form which he had seen 30 often In the
corridors ut Lashmar, and Stunned, ap.
pretending an indcfnablc danger, the
peril Of his peace Of mind, which was ever
disturbed by that presence.
lie had looked for her among the dead
and had found her living, lovely as when
she had last looked upon him In her pride
and anger.
She bowed graveiy. startled for an in.
slant. but composed herself instantly with
wondrous sclf.commnnd and would have
passed him. but he stopped her.
"Stella," he Sid. holding out his hand.
"1.ord LashmnrI'' ipterrogativcly and
without accepting the offered hand.
"Stella, will you not forgive me! l have
been seeking for you ever since that night.
I have desired nothing on this earth 40
much rs your forgiveness. Will you not
forgive me? VIII you not shake hands
with me? BY your fathers grave"
Tint plea was irresistible. She gave
him her hand without word. II was the
first time their hands Ind ever met. His
grasp frightened upon the little hnnd and
he drew her nearer to him. she shrinking
all the while, looking at him with fright.
cncd eyes, half angry. half wondering.
They were alone In the place Of graves
alone amidst the populacc Of the dead, no
| one within sight or enrshot.
"Stella. have but one plea for pardon,
but one excuse for my brutality the other
night. for my GOODNESS. my neglect. my
| absolute unkindncss In nll the years that
have gone over us since my brothers
| death. My excuse for my conduct that
night Ii that I was mad with jealousy,
my excuse for years Of unkindncss h that
| I have been the slave Of caste. l have
tried not to love you aud love you more
passiOnutcly III: n ever I thought 10 love
any living woman. were she peerless OF
princess. All my pride Of birth. all my
greed Of gain. nrc flung to the winds.
love you. Stella. and live only 10 love you
Say, sweet, ut least. am l forgivcnT'
She had turned gi,ldy With the sudden.
ness Of this surprise. fainting under the
shock Of an unspenknblc happiness. HcI
eyclils dropped. and there were flashes Of
light across her eycbnlls. ind a rushing
sound In her hend. Her cheek lny CHASTITY
white against her lovers shoulder. as hi
caught her to his breast and just saved
her from falling.
MY beloved. say INN forgiven. 81,
that I may hope"
Her pulc lips tried to answer. but wcrt
too treN,ulOus for speech. There was d
pause, and then the heavy eyelils were
slowly lifted. us with u painful effort, q
soul coming back to life and conscious
ness, and the large, dark eyes looked VI
at him.
II have hated myself 40 bitterly fol
loving yOu," she fultercl; II have scOrnet
myself for loving the man who dcspiset
me-"
"Ah, then, We arc both content" h
snid, kissing her. 1--WE have both strug
gled, and we have both been beaten b!
fate, which In stronger than either Of M
My beloved. I am ineffably happy; Their
IL not In this world man more dcepl!
blessed. And now come back to the cnstl
and comfort my mother, who hns bceI
pining for you, and he to her rs daugh
ter, She, too, has tried 10 shut her hear
against you, but l suspect that she, too
loves you. She knows everything. dear
est. knows that you IRE to bc my wife. !
can win you."
"Nill she not be angry with you 70
such choicey" asked Stella.
"No. she bore II like lamb. Don
you know that her strong point II com
mon sense. nnd sensible people Away
submit quietly TO the inevitable. Come
dearest. VIC cnn get fly somewhere out
side the cemetery, and drive to the hote
where I LETT my phaetOn. We shall be a
the castlc In time for afternoon ten. ! he
iicve her ladyship will be delighted. Sh
began TO lind out your value directly yo
were gOnc."
ITO Inc cOntintCd)