Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-04-08

u perceive" she began, softly, that
you are exploring new country, Mr.
Livingston, The French call it le pays
NJ tcndre.'
| was completely taken abaok. am
not man who wears his heart upon his
sleeve, and had taken infinite pains
to keep that unruly organ out of sight.
"Your silence" she continued, "ccn-
firms my fears. Let me entreat you
to turn back before it is too late"
"Turn back" / calculated. Mrs.
Gerard, this is no walking tour. l am
traveling-by express"
ut is better to walk" she said, coldly,
| could tell by her tone that she was
provoked.
ut is better to crawl" replied; 'but
when a man is travelling sixty miles an
hour it is dangerous to leave the train"
But you must leave the train-at
once"
"And break my neclS-my heart, I
mean."
"Hearts dc not break" she muir
INJURED; "at least, not the hearts Of
men,"
"Mrs. Gerard, you are cruel. Have
you anything against me?"
NO, no; but Nancy is not, as-as
you think, the daughter of Mr.. Gerard.
Her father"-the last words were al
most inaudible-"is Edgar Burling-
ton"
/ must have been blind not to have
discovered this fact for myself. How
much it accounted for, physically and
Intellectually! From him she inherited
those brilliant eyes; from him, the
power of speech, the torrens dicendi
copia. Ard what else?
/ took the hand of the poor lady be-
side me, and kissed it.
81 love her" | whispered. For her
self, first, and, secondly, because she is
your daughter"
Nancy" said Mrs. Gerard, in frozen
tones, "can never marry. have given
her an education that is given to few
girls. She has abundant material for
happiness outside of marriage, which at
best is so often failure. Her books
her music, her absorbing interest in
humanity, these must fill her life"
why? Why?"
''IIer father" The fear stamped upon
her face twisted my heartstrings; but
there was a quality in it conspicuously
absent from the terror of Mark Gerard
This was no coward sentiment. The
awful dread was not for self, but fol
others. "Her father, as you know, is g
dangerous madman the faint of in.
sanity is in poor Nancy's veins"
II don't care n rap" ! answered 81
love her"
"Mr. Livingston, do you force me tc
tell the truth to Nancy?"
you could not be so cruel; and, be
sides, IL have no reason tQ. sppposS
that she returns my love. have'taker
10 advantage of my position. have
you must leave The cottage to-mor
row."
''Leave?" / stammered. The wore
stuck in my throat.
We were sitting in the parlor. Mrs
Gerard, feeling that further converse
tion was intolerablc, rose from hcl
chair and walked slowly from the room
Through the window / caught a glimpse
OF her graceful figure as she paced dowr
the garden path. Was Nancy destined
to fit from my life in some such alb
rupt fashion? Not vth lie ]. Hugo Liv
ingston, had life and limbs to pursue
waited couple OF minutes, choking
my emotion. then followed. / founC
her at the end of the walk. where high
of steps led to the sands. She stoot
shading her eyes from the setting sun
her glance strayiDg southwark.
noted, in the mid-distance, man walk
ing rapidly, probably Demetrius, TO
he was tall and well proportional
Strangers frequently passed the hous
| (the sands at low tide were II publ
highways; aud / wondered vaguel.
what possible interest this pedestrian
challenged. Mrs. Gerard ignored IN
entirely. She stared intently at the ap
proaching man.
touched her arm.
''Sfrs. Gerard, pity you profoundly
hut if am willing TO take the chances
If"
"Hushv she cried, wildly. "In th
name of Heaven, who is that? 2"
She pointed dramatically at the 6gur
striding swiftly along the sands.
"Some stranger" murmured. "Mrs
Gerard, you are overwrought; let III
take you back to the house"
at is he" she said, trembling. at !
Edgar Burlington. He has found me a
last"