The Eddy current., 1898-10-08
CHAPTER xL.-(contInued)

proudly Whose Ia the SIM Is II
mine because !. your wife, have 20
tell you this, and you feel surprisedg
love you; and now that have to leave
you tell you that woman never loved
man, wife never loved husband, more
dearly, more deeply, more deyotedly'
than love you; would have devoted
any life 20 you; would have died for
you: every beat OF my heart. every
thought OF my mind. every action was
for you. love you as Elaine loved
tho knigh; OF old when she said
Il have gone mad-.I love you-let me
dler'
She drew nearer 20 him.
IL love you ms no one else ever will
as no woman has ever loved YOU
partly because could not help loving
you. and partly because I have helped
20 awaken the better nature within YOU
You may live many years. happy, fiat
tered, but no love like mine will ever
reach you; the wife you are sending
from you Is the dearest and truest
friend you have"
lie looked terribly distressed.
why did you not tell me this be-
fore, Hlldred7" he asked.
Il tell you? How little you know
met Was Il my place to go TO the hus-
band who neglected me and plead for
mis- caresses, for his love? | could
have died thousand deaths hrst. How
little you know mel | should not tell
you all this now but that / know that
in this world perhaps we Shall never
meet again. / am speaking 10 you
across a grave. stretch out my hand
10 you over a grave-the grave where
my love lies-snln"
Az she said the words she fell upon
her knees, weeping. sobblng with bh-
te- cries, as though a grave lay there,
anpS,ta had fallen upon Il.
koHwaa touched lie could not toll
orate what he believed to be her crime,
but she was young beautiful loving.
Her crime had been committed
through love OF him. lie raised her
from the ground.
Il am very sorry, Hlldred." he said;
at Is very sad for both OF u.s. Now
we must talk OF something else. You
must go at once"
She raised her weeping eyes TO him.
Must you send me away?" she ask
cd. gently. III was wrong. was mad
with jealous anger. but aid not think
was. Could you not overlook it?'
You speak lightly" he replied,
sternly. NO you can never re-entor
my house. have arranged II all. /
did so when took poor Lady Hamilton
back to the castle. ! told our guests
that you had been suddenly sent for
by your father. that had driven you
20 the statlon-and II Is 10 your
fathers house you must 90"
Every we'll" she said, drearlly.
"You do not seem TO understand, "
no remarked, sharply; do You know
the danger. the peril that hangs over
your"
She dld not. but OF what use was IL
b say so7
"Try to collect yourself and under
stand" he continued; time presses.
cannot keep them away much longer,
You must depart az once without being
seen. No one must know at what hour
you went You must so 20 your
fathers house and walt there. II II
should be needful to send you abroad
will arrange a."
Have / done 80 very wrong?" she
murmured. The earl cried out passion
ately;
Heaven give me pationcol You
must bo mad TO ask me such a ques-
tlon. One would think you did not
know what wrong meant"
Hldred stood quite stlll looking al
most helplcssly at him.
You do not seem 10 realize or 20
know what you have done he said.
hastily.
II dol do" she moanod: "and there
will be no pardon. ! wish that might
iilng myself into that lake. would.
but that there is life to come"
"hIlldrcd." said the earl sternly.
''llaten TO me. have told you that
you must never re-enter my doors; but
you bear my name; and for nay names
sake / will shield you. The Countess
OF Carayen may have done wrong. but
the world must not know Il. / must
save you from the consequences OF your
mad folly. see-I went quietly 10 your
rooms and have brought you thaso. +"
lie gave her cloak and bonnet with
a thick veil. Il found them In your
wardrobe. Have you any money!"
mo" she replied yacantly, none. %
lie took out his purse and gave II 70
her.
II would accompany YOU" he said,
. "but that Il would draw suspicion on
you. ! must be here TO ward Il on.
Wrap yourself IN this cloak. Hide all
that amber satin"
N with cold, trembling hands she obey
ed. Suddenly she remembered the ru-
bies She unclasped the necklace and
bracelet.
Take these" she said. and the earl
|. took them-it was better, he thought.
al huuop har