Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-04-02
CHAPTER X.

three weeks older then than on that event.
full day Marvel for the first time possessed
a name. 1t had been three weeks Of unal-
loyed enjoyment to her, not shadow
having darkened the days that sped all too
swiftly. She was with Fulke, and she
was happy. Not that she saw much OF
him; but she was quite content with the
knowledge that he was somewhere near;
and she had early learned that she was
not to be "trouble to him"-which meant
that she was not to break In upon his
moods when he appeared silent and dis
trait. And he was often so.
At Gibraltar they expected to receive
any letters or papers that might have
been forwarded to them; and WriOthesley,
for two days before they reached II, could
hardly restrain the cruel impatience with
which he looked forward to the news that
the society journals especially might con-
tain. He could see the paragraphs de-
scribine how Leonie looked as bride
each dainty detail Of her wedding gown,
the list Of guests, the false hattering men.
ton Of the ancient groom.
Il was all terrible TO him, and the con-
slant strain, the perpetual dwelling on the
one subject, injured him both In mind and
body; he grew pale and thin, filed as he
was with an undying love for one woman
and an undying reinorse for another, un-
I'll at last the pretty, laughing presence
Of Marvel grew insupportable to him.
Instinctively she felt this, but 20 vague
~ that Il hardly rendered her uneasy; but
a desire to do something that should
please him, that should win her smile,
melted her to be the first to receive the
post when II arrived, and to carry Il to
him herself. He might have thanked
her. she thought, for being the one to
bring him that post for which he had 20
wearied; but he had thought Of nothing
but that stupid paper. She hoped she
would never see number Of II again; she
would always recollcct the color Of its
cover.
Meantime Wriothcsley with rapid
hand turned the pages. Here, there, he
looked for the dreaded announcement, but
a. yet saw nothing. The small society
paragraphs did not mention any fashiona.
BILE wedding In which her name stood
prominently. He had drawn long breath
Of curious relief, and had just turned .
fresh page half carclcssly, when heading
In large letters caught his eye:
Sudden Death Of the Duke Of Dawtry."
He read Il three or four times; and,
having mastered it--rather q trouble 70
him, because Of the shock to his brain
he went on quietly reading the rest Of
the article. Only few words Of II chung
to him. ION the eve Of his marriage"
On the eve! She had not married him
then! Aud now she was free-free! He
half started from his scat, forgetting oil
things hut that, and that he must 20 to
her. Then memory returned In Its full
power-Marvel's face stood out before
him, and with groan he sank back again
then, leaning his arms upon the table.
bis head fell forward on them.
II was thus that Marvel found him an
hour later. She had rcpented Of her short.
lived anger. and In a sweet, penitent mood
had come back TO him. She saw ut q
glance that Il was the paper she had given
him that was lying open on the table be-
fore her. Something In his attitude fright
ened her and she came quickly to bis side
"Fulkc, what II III" she asked, nerv'
ously, laying her hand upon his shoulder,
He started, and looked up, withdraw
Ing sharply from her touch ~ he did so
and she saw that his face was CHASTITY.
"Nothing," he said. II beg you will moi
worry me now. II II nothing"
"DO not speak to me like that" che
entreated, trembling. "Tell me your trcu
ble--let me try TO comfort your
He pushed back his chair and rose Il
his feet. There was terrible expression
IN his eyes as they rested on her.
"YOu," he said-''y0u TO comfort mo
you who have been my undoing! Go,
tell yOu-leave me; must be alone"
"YOu mean" she began. She wal
shivering from head to foot; bis manner
was 10 strange, 20 Wild, that she was quite
unnerved. "Fulke, speak to me"
"What have to say-what have you
TO hear-except that would had neveI
seen your There was the bitter saw
agery Of truth In his tone; he had lost
all control over himself; but, when he hat
dealt the blow, he felt s0bered. "There-
forgive me! ] hardly know what I say
] told you to Co." he said; and then wait
ed, knowing yet hardly caring for be-
pain, 10 great was his own.
She paused for moment, as II turnet
to stone' aud then went safely out Of thu
saloon.
She felt stunned. terrified; she crep
slowly up the stairs to the deck, wher,
the salt breeze blew upon her face, an,
In q strange, vague way created In her
desire for tears; but she repressed them
aud, seeing wicker chair on her RICH
hand, went to II aud sank down wearil,
among the cushions.
Her hands fell listlessly upon her Ian
aud she stared out seward with hot
strained eyes, to see nothing hut limit
less ocean all around her, and, above, 1
cloudless sky. For the FIRST time the ex
quisite, smiling beauty of nature SCENE,
to her repellent. Oh, for clouds, for rain
for tempest, for anything save this heart
less brilliance! How had she offende,
him, that he should look like that-wha
fault committed. that he should say thOs
dreadful words? He had said she wa
his "undOing." There was something
surely; and It was In that paper-the pa
per she had given him last! oh, how I'm
fortunate she was that hers should hav
been the hand to wound! She knew In
stinctively that he was hurt past healing
but what was III
The next day Marvel found the pape
and deliberately searched It. She fel
that no dishonor attached itself to her 10
thus endea vOring to fathOm his secret
she meant only to know for certain .thi
thing that stood between him and 'hel
She would make no mistake; she wOul,
try fully to understand everything; tina
afterward she might he assured that sh
had done no wrong IN act or thought b.
leaving him.
The paper was considerably crumple
ON one page. as though hand had IN
voluntarily clutched 1t; and this she fel
was where the mystery lay. She scanne
the page hurriedly, and the large start