The Portland daily press., 1898-04-28

stance against which l had not provided!
l was prevented. and compelled to nee.
"If you will divulge absolutely
nothing regarding the manner IN Whlch
you became possessed of the stolen con-
vention or the reason you have Inasquer
AIDED as my wife, you can at least tell me
why you received SO many communlca
tions regarding clandestine meetings, ana
explain who was your mysterious corres-
pondent who signed himself *,
Her heart beat quickly; she sighed and
lowered her gaze. She strove to preserve
a demeanor of calm hauteur as benttea
her station, but in vain.
fou have also found those letters,
she remarked, her voice trembling
Yes. Tell me the truth and put my
mind at ease.''
II can put your mind entirely at ease
by assuring you, as 1 did after you de-
tected me walking in Kensington Garden,
that have had no lover beside yourself,
Godfrey" she cried vehemently. 81 have
told you already that worked to secure
freedom OF action in the future. Those
letters were from one who rendered me
considerable assistance"
What was his name?" I demanded
quickly.
II may not tell you that" was her
answer, uttered in a quiet, firm Tone
Then speaking plainly. you refuse,
whatever of this irritating mystery or to
allow me to obtain any corroboration of
your remarkable story" I said with a
sudden GOODNESS.
She noticed my change of manner, and
chung to me with uplifted face, pale and
agitated. Her attempt to treat ME as
other than her husband had failed ut.
terly:. sa
tAh! Do not speak SO cruelty" she
exclaimed painting. CT really cannot
bear it, Godfrey; indeed I can't. You
must have seen that 1 loved you. I was
when married, prepared to sacrifice all
for your sake. nay, did sacrifice every
thing until-until 1 was forced from you
and thrust back here to this place that to
me is little else than a gilded prison.
All r. she cried, sobbing bitterly, and
gazing around her in deep despair. "you
cannot know how deeply have sorrowed
how poignant has been the grief in the
secret and inmost recesses of my heart
or how through these months while 1
have been travelling have longed to see
you once again, and hear your voice tell.
ing ME of your love. But, alas 1, without
knowledge of the strange secrets that
seals MY lips you can know nothing
nothing"
81 only know that still adore you,''
I said with heartfelt fervency.
''Ah knew you did. she exclaimed,
TdlSlliR u6I odktE 1lpS " luluo Ill SCSCdcT,
81 knew you would pity me when you
came, yet feared-feared because 1 had
lied to you. and deceived you SO complete
ly.' Then she kissed my lips, but [ did
not return her hot passionate caress, al
though confess it made my head reel
''You have not forgiven" che ex-
claimed, in a voice quiyer1ng with emo
yet promised that you will still regard me
as your wife. -
1 hesitated. The startling fact of her
true station, and the revelation of how
ingeniously had been tricked caused me
q slight revulsion of feeling. Somehow,
as Grand Duchess she seemed an entirely
different being to the plain unassuming
crown Of her addressed hair to tine point
of her tiny white kid shoe with it's pearl
embroidery, she was patrician; the
magnifcence of her dress and Jewels daZ-
zled me, yet in her declarations of devo-
tion her voice seemed to be marred by
some indef1able but spurious ring.
Even now, she was deceiving mo. She
secret to pass her lips. 1t had always
been the same She would tell me abso-
lutely nothing, vaguely asserting that to
utter the truth would be to invoke an
avenging power that she dreaded. 1 re-
mem bered how she had seemed te1rorized
on more than one occasion when I de-
manded the truth, yet what had learned
that night incrsas ed my suspicious.
eff forgive and seek no explanations of
the past, )" | said at last, "we must, 1
suppose, remain parted.
''Ah, yes," she ga5ped. "But only for
a few short weeks. Then we will come
together again never to be parted-never -
l said. That you tell me the truth re-
garding the dastardly theft from me on
the day of Dudley's DEATH"
For an instant she was silent. Then
burying her face on my shoulder sobbing,
she answered in tone SO low as to be al
most inaudihle:
81 cannotn'
Gently but firmly put her from ME al
though she chung about my neck, urging
me to pity her.
II cannot pity you if you refuse to re-
pose confidence IN me,'' answered.
IL do not refuse she cried. cit is be-
cause my secrat is Of such nature that
If divulged it would wreck both your
happiness and mins.''
useless" I answered coldly. "We must
part
You intend to leave me without for
g1veness," she walled. "Ah, you will not
be SO cruel, Godfrey. Surely you can see
how passionately love you"
1ou 10 no6, however, love me sufn-
GENTLY we'll to risk all consequences of
divulging your mysterious secret" re.
torted with almost brutal Indifference,
turning slowly from her.
Then kiss me, Godfrey" she cried
wildly, springing towards me and again
entwining her soft arms about my neck
Kiss me once again, if for the last
time"
Oar lips met for an instant, then slow.
~ disengaged myself and STROBE towards
thu door. In her refusal to throw light
upon the incidents that had so long held
me perplexed and bewildered, 1 fancied
she was shielding someone. Although
crushed and downoast had resolved to
go forth into the world again with my
terrible burden of sorrow concealed be-
meath smiling countenance. I regretted
deeply that had sought her, now that 1
was aware of the gulf that lay between
us.
Stay, Godfrey Stay. I cannot bear
that you should co." she walled.
Halting, turend towards her, saying
when have learnt the truth, then only
will return. Till then, can have no
faith in you" ID0
,1.But you are my husband, Godfrey.
4 love you"
SHn% ~Ak l.