Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-06-25
CHAPTER fX.-(Continued.)

His voice trembled n little over tnat
last word, and his grasp frightened on the
slim, burning fingers. Slowly she lifted
her eyes to his and looxed ut him. He
did love her. She could have read that
much In his face IL he had been mute.
But could she love him2
The river roared like an angry torrent
In her ears. For an instant she felt rs
II she were falling-falling through u cold.
cutting wind. Then her brain cleared and
her limbs stcadicd.
II WILL" she began. But before she
could add another word he had caught
her to him. He was kissing her rs no man
had ever kissed her, and she felt her face
tingle and burn with n kind Of shamcd
surprise under his touch.
"Oh. Dulcie!'-with long sigh Of con-
tent-"what happy man you have made
me this day.
He held her from him for an instant
and looked at her. then gathered her clos.
er In his arms. The hot, crimsoncd face
was laid against his shoulder. the pretty
dark head touched his cheek.
AT that moment gentleman who was
passing along the top Of the bank looked
down and saw them--Julian Care. with
his rapturous face bent over her rs she lay
In his arms, listening to him as he tried to
tell her how he loved her, how rejoiced
he was that she loved him. For he took
Il for granted that she did love him, and
Dulcie was thankful that he did 10 and
asked no questions.
II Julian Care. glancing r;. had seen
the face looking down ut him. or II Dul.
Gle, lifting her head, had caught glimpse
Of the tall figure that dashed away so
furiously down the footpath, how would
II have been? Would It have altered the
future that lay In wait for them? Would
II have turned aside that fate coming so
swiftly toward them?
When she arrived Mt The Films, Dulcie
found telegram awaiting her. 1t was
from her uncle, she knew, and her hands
shook rs she took II up. What would II
say to her? She had told herself, when
she wrote her letter, that the answer to II
should decide her fate. 1t had come now;
and she hung back, and felt afraid to open
II and read.
Mrs. Hardinge went away, and at last,
with little shiver, Dulcie tore open her
uncle's telegram ind :ead the lines 1t con-
tanned.
"From Durer Levesquc, London. to
Oulcie Levcsque. The Elms, woodley,
Kent. ] have only just got back from
Paris. Stay where you are Tor the pres.
ent. Am WELL"
With hysterical laugh, she crushed
the thin sheet up between her palms, tll
It was little better than q ball.
"kismct," she said. ut 10 written!
Why should try to escapcY"
CHAPTER X.
Somehow, after that dinner party at
Abbcylands. the friendship between the
houses seemed to grow and strengthen
immensely. Lord Harvey and his friend
were almost every day ut The Elms, and
Mrs. Hardinge made them welcome.
There could be no doubt about that. Once
or twice Lady Harvey had called, and
her daughter was frequent visitor. This
girl amused Dulcic.
II always think Of Hans Andersen's
Ugly Duckling," she said, whenever
look at Glare Harvey! Could the miser-
able little thing have been more ungainly
for Q duckling than she II for young
lady? hardly thing that II could. And
! don't believe she will ever lind herself
transformed Into swan, SO she has not
that hope to comfort her."
And yet the girl had q good, honest
face, and keen. frank eyes like her broth.
er's, aud smile that could make one
forget the large mouth. and tanned fore.
head, and sallow, thin cheeks.
Esther liked her. She talked to her,
and made her feel herself welcome guest
whenever she came, and, In return, the
girl adOred her. The tall, beautiful won.
an, with her slim. white hands, and grace.
full movements, was q very vision Of de-
light to the dreamy, awkward, unripe
child. Her brother was her cOnfidant as
to the friendship-if friendship II could he
called-between Esther, content and AT
rest In her own secure little world, and
this crude young soul, to whom all worlds
were new and strange. She was never
tired Of telling him how beautiful Esther
Ourrant was, and how kind and how clev.
err! And he, with rare patience. listen.
ed to It all.
30 April passed away In pleasant mo-
notony, and the first Of May came round
The twenty-second would b Esther's
wedding day.
On the eve Of May day. Clare Harvey
rode over to The Elms, accompanied by q
groom. Esther and Dulcie were In the
lime walk, sitting, the one on low buffet
the other on the grass. They had come
out there to work, at least Esther had
for Dulcie, never fond Of her needle, had
utterly refused to put In stitch on such
IN evening.
They both heard the clatter Of hOofs
and both flushed little, each at her owl
thought as to whom the visitor might be
Presently Mrs. Hardinge appeared at thu
door, and Clare Harvey beside her. She
had brought her out to them ut her owl
earnest desire.
The girl came hurrying down the walk
her feet tripping In her long habit, he
velvet hut on the back Of her head.
A drOll smile fitted across Dulcie's fac,
at the sight of her; but Esther welcomed
her warmly.
"Oh, Miss Durrant!"-scarcely pausinI
to give Dulcie n nod, II want You to prom
Use to do something for me-"
what Is it?'--smiling at the tame,
young face, dark red now with haste ant
earnestness.
"a very great deal! You can make m,
as happy, as happy, as anything'-break
ing down little ut sight Of Dulcie's anus
ed face.
"Then ! will do It, you may be sure,
It Ia In my power" Esther answered.
"YOu professionally
Notwithstanding little.
''Then you may read this, and remem
Der you have said yes beforehand"
She had been fumbling In the poke
Of her habit, and at last she brought on
a letter, letting her handkerchief and
twisted paper fall out ut the same time