La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-07-23

y
different. The only thing was that she
had resolved upon preventing her hus-
band and rival from jesting abou; her;
that should never be.
She went round by the postern- door,
and in the distance she caught n
glimpse of the white dress and the sill
yer veil.
TO think that her husband did not
recognize that silver veil as hers! She
had worn it ever since she had been
at Rayensmere: there was not SER
want about the place who would not
have recognized 1t in n minute: where
as her husband did NO. even know to
whom II belonged.
THAT proves what little notice he
has bestowed on me-" she thought, bit
terly
The grounds of Ravensmere were so
well wooded that behind the safe shell
ter OF the tall trees she could walk
quite unseen by the earl and his com
panion. The sweet southern wind that
scarcely stirred the leaves brought to
her from time to time chance words,
but none of them were Of her. She
did not want to listen to their con-
versation; she only wished to prevent
the story of her marriage from being
told. Sometimes the low, musical
laughter of Lady Hamilton reached
her. and then the-rich ring of her nus
band voice would sound cheerily in
the gathering gloom; and ali the time
she. his Wife. was slowly threading her
way after him like the shadow OF fate.
There had not been one word of her
yet-the conversation had all been
about people they had known years be-
fore; and now they stood on the bor-
ders OF the lake. where the crimson
waters, to the dazcd mind OF the young
countess, looked like blood She shud-
dered as the idea occurred to her.
Some of the crimson glow fell on the
white dress and on the silken veil. She
saw Lady Hamilton hold out her little
white hand and cry, gleefully:
look, Lord Caraven-my hand is
dyed red.
They had not spoken of her. The
red sun was fast descending.
THAT is what wish you to see."
said the earl The moment in which
the sun seems to touch the water
red gleam passes through 1t; then the
next moment it is quite dark"
They watched 1t in silence. while the
dark figure stood motionless and still
behind them. The sun, as II set, SEEM
ed 10 touch the outer edge OF the lake;
q red gieam came over 1t. beautiful
and curious. and then, almost at once.
it was dark.
We will go home by the coppice."
said Lord Caraven; and his wife re-
membered that the long avenue OF
trees extended to the very gate. She
could therefore walk almost side by
side with them, yet quite unseen.
They had not mentioned her name.
Could she have been wrong in her
suspicion? Had she mistaken her hus
bands words?
they were standing at the edge OF
the lake, cold, dark sheet Of water
now. and she established herself be-
hind great group of alder-trees. 1t
seemed to her that the silver veil on
the fair woman's head and shoulders
absorbed all the light there was.
Presently she drew near. Another
group of trees separated her from the
two who were so unconscious OF her
presence-large trees with swaying
branches; through them the night
wind brought every word to her. They
talked only of the light on the water
and the sudden darkness thereof
someone who had known and loved
Lady Hamilton before her marriage.
She laughed coquettishiy over It,
How long was that nonsense to last?
the unhappy young wife asked herself
How long was she to stand under the
darkening evening skies, with the
great alder branches swaying to and
fro, and the soughing of the wind in
her ears. the fire OF love, the madness
OF jealousy raging in her heart-how
long? 1t was almost unbearable. She
felt inclined to cry out that it must
end. She clinched her fingers, shc bit
her lip: then suddenly she heard the
sound of her name-her maiden name
-"Hildred Ransomew What were
they saying? Was the earl telling how
he had been compelled to cucumber
himself with a wife he did not love?
Was he saying that, although he did
not love her. and they were strangers
to each other. she cared for him? Was
he laughing because she had owned
that she was Jealous OF him?
II cannot bear IT,. she thought.
The next moment there was the
sound Of shot-somcthing seemed to
rattle through the alder branches