Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-07-09


the bittcrest tears Of her life. But that
would never do. Instead Of that she smil.
cl and talked, and hustled about like q
gay little curious fairy.
At that moment servant knocked at
the door.
Mr.. stanhope's compliments, Miss Es.
Their. and could you come down stairs to
see him. pleaseT'
Don't touch the Dress" Esther called
out at the door rs she swept down stairs
10 see him.
She was not many minutes away, and
when she came back she Mortified Dull.
Gle by insisting on putting on the dress.
"Oh. Etty darling. don't do It," Dulcic
cried. starting up from her knees, where
she had been smoothing out the plat
Ing on the shining skirt. ITS 20 awfully
unlucky! DO listen to reason. No one
ever did such a thing''--solemnly--"that
did not come TO grief"
hut Esther could not be turned from
her purpose. Laughing, and blushing.
and trembling a little In her shy, nervous
haste, she put the dress on. and Dulcie.
her heart, helped her to do Il. She tied
back the long train, and buttoned up the
tight sleeves, which looked, when they
were closed, as II they had grown on to
the round, plump arms. Then she went
down, because Etty would have her go,
and saw the look Of rapturous admiration
that came like food Of sunshine into
Percy Stanhope's blue eyes at sight Of this
white vision that fingered In the shade Of
the doorway for second, 40 II afraid to
enter and face his case.
Poor Dulcic! There are such things a.
looks that hurt worse than blows, Just
as there are words that cut keener than
knife blades! For an instant. spirit and
flesh failed her. A shade Of the agony
she was enduring fell over her face. Percy
Stanhopc. looking past his intended, saw
this mute reproach In her eyes and on her
lips, and understood II. But II was only
for an instant. One cannot cry out when
ones hurt In this world of grown.up men
and women. The next moment she was
smiling and shaking hands with him, In
the most nonchalant manner possible.
"Do you know, Mr.. Stanhopc, that
am very angry with you both; you for
asking, and Etty for granting, such an
unreasonable request. Have you never
heard that It's unlucky to try on brides
dress before the wedding dayr
II never have heard Il, Miss Levcsaue.
but II had, should not have needed.
! should still have braved tho ill.luck,
and felt myself well rewarded"
There was no installing the tenderness
In his voice % he said Il. Dulcie was
fur too keen to mistake Il. This "white
love" Of his. as he often called her, was
30 beautiful that his heart thrilled at
sight Of her: 20 beautiful that he longel
for the hour TO come that should ma Ike
her his own, 80 that she might win him
forever from this other love, that only
lived In his heart to tear It and wound
It with vain passion.
SWELL" Dulcic laughed. II have warned
you both, but, since you will not heed my
warning, shall waste no more Of my val.
uable time upon you."
CHAPTER XIV.
A lurid sunset over Brierton Wood. The
birds were twittering restleSsly. There
was the low. complaining "sOugh" Of the
trees to be heard over the fret and dash
Of the river. The little stream was bri,n.
med to the top Of its banks, and swept by
In no gentle mood. to make Its leap owe,
the face Of the old weir. The light wal
low and brooding, with more OF suileu
glare than brightness In Il. All the fresh
ness had died out Of the air.
Dulcie Levesque, standing upright as a
dart on the plank bridge. which was lit.
tic more than foot wide, across the wat,
or, noted these signs Of q coming storm
with keen impotence. She was not afraid
Of the storm itself. but Of the remarks |,
would occasion II she were out In l.
Opposite to her stood Percy Stanhope
She had come to the wood that Afternoon
to meet Julian Care. and. to her deer
chagrin, she had come face to face Will
her old lover instead. And he was In NJ
very pleasant mood, either. He was In
clined to take upon himself to lecture and
dictate to Dulcie. He had seen her thu,
past day with her head on Julian Carre'l
shoulder. and he was wroth indeed will
her for Il.
1T was not prudent" ne said. 1T va,
not even lady.like."
"What right have you to talk to me lik,
thatT Dulcie cried out at last, reused Il
indignation by bis reproaches. "Wha,
II II to you what do, or with whom
walki ! consider you are very imperti
nent."
"YOu do well to call me that" was hi,
bitter retort. do you think you are moth
Ing to mef DO you think that a. lon,
a. ! live shall ever forget what vol
once were to mei"
| II think you had better"
TITS Of no use, Dulcie; can't stand thi,
any longer. l will not try to give 70,
up"
She looked up at him. and shrank .