The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-14
WILLIAM LIE OUEUX.

CT the drawing room in strong re1ei
against a background of dark glossy
palms and broad leaved tropical plants,
noticed my anger. The light fell upon
her red brown hair and upon her slightly
upturned face, showing its delicate
modelling in it's almost childish round
ness. her profile was quite as charming
as her full lace, perhaps more 80, as i
had the advantage of the curl and sweep
of the eyelashes and of the fine line of the
upper lip.
She eyed me gravely, but spoke nc
word.
Yet in that instant knew I had mis-
judged her, that tn rough those long anx-
ious weeks while / had entertained dark
suspicious she had nevertheless still loved
me honestly and truly. l know not what
words uttered, but a few moments later
found her sobbing in my fond embrace.
Her tears were tears of joy.
The silence was long. We had so much
to think about that we forgot to speak.
but presently, when she dried her blue
eyes with her fiimsy lace handkerchief
and seated herself, l took the tiny hand
lying idly in her lap and laid my check
down on the tender rosy palm.
''How l wish that this night could last
forever" said with sigh of supreme
contentment. sin my memory it will
live always -
always" she echoed, looking tender
Iy into my face; then for the first time
she put her arms around me and held me
tightly pressed against her heart.
Yes, always" l said. "Until l die. :"
"Ah! Don't speak of DEATH, she whis-
pered. "If you died. IL should die also,
Geoffrey. could not live without you
How have endured these dark weary
weeks l scarcely know"
Together We RENAMED q long time,
willis I reproached il ii for entertain
ing suspicion that he. 'rirndliress with
Dudley or with Beck Was anything but
platonic. declaring that my love had ever
been unwavering, that my recent actions
had been due to mad and unjust jeal-
ousy for which Graved her forgiveness.
With her eyes still wet she told mo how
fondly she had always loved me, and
urged me to think DO more of the strange
events that had led to Dudley stra5 end.
SIT is my duty to ascertain the truth
and clear up the mystery" she s7id. 81
have promised you a solution of tho enig
ma, and you shall have it some day.
For the present, dearest, | am content
70 wait,'' answered, and in the same
breath repeated the question had asked
her months ago-whether she would be
my wife.
ssAias I fear you do not trust me suffi-
GENTLY, Godfrey" she answered in low,
intense tone, tears still yelling in her
bl ne eyes.
II do" I cried. ~ know that all the
time have been jealousy brutal fool
you have loved me lis truly rs ever.
~ told you long ago, that loved you, -
she answered earnestly.
Yes, believe it now. darling" l said.
" That is why ask you to become my
wife. Tell me once more that you will. -
In whisper, as her handsome head
piliowed itself upon my arm, she repeat
ed her promise, then burst into torrent
of tears, while / in joyful ecstasy, still
held her in my arms.
1t was an idyllic evening, this first one
of love and trust; q brief dream such as
one has in the moment before waking
Bowling before my idol, I had hunbly
acknowledged myself wrong, and my
well-beloved had frankly forgiven and
forgotten. There was a long silence, deep
and impressive broken only by the con
through the open window. Then, when
she stirred again and raised her head,
I told her of my position Mt the Foreign
Office and the probability of my appoint
ment to diplomatic post abroad. She
listened, her clear, trusting eyes fixed
upon me. She, too, was ambitious.
cts a great responsibility for any
is to be part of career. l will help you,
my darling" then she buried her face
again in my coat collar protesting fer
vently, 81 will never. never allow myself
to hinder you; but will do my utmost to
help you to success. only you must have
patience with me-. Suddenly she raised
her head again.. continuing: Il know
there is one strange episode in my past
that is a mystery to you, nay to all. My
is that am unable yet to
reveal the truth, because l fear the conse-
q uences of such disclosure. Some day
you shall know everything, but until
then think only of me as the woman who
loves you with all her soul -
She spoke with a terrible earnestness,
her slim fingers clutching my arm con-
and as l gave my romise to
regard her always as pure and upright
woman, and forget the mystery surround
ing her, sealed our compact with long
passionate kiss.
Mrs. Laing, stiff and stately in black
satin, entered the room few moments
later, and Ella having whispered and OH,
tanned my consent, forthwith made q full
and complete statement to her mother of
the position of affairs The old lady lis
tened attentively in silence, inclining her
head now and then with a gesture indi-
cative of appreciation, but when her
daughter had concluded her face bright
ened.
81 am indeed glad to think that dear
Ella is to marry you, after all, OeoHrey,
she said. "Once, not so very long ago,
feared that you two would never again
be reconciled, for Ella moped day after
day, crying and quite spelling her com
plexion. But the old saying about the
course of true love conta ms much truth,
and now that your little differences are
re-sdjusted, there can be no cause for any |
further regret. That Ella loves you dear
y 1, as her mother, have had better OPP
for knowing than anyone else, |
md were it not for the fact that 1 am |
convinced you both will be happy, 1 |
should never give my consent to your
marriage. But am absolutely sure that |
ibis marriage is one that Elias father
would have approved, therefore you have
NY entire consent and heartiest congratu- |
ations.
THANK you, Mrs. Laing," answered, |
Il, too, am convinced that we love each |
! oia L. xad lyr L