Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-11-04

NiOuu that heaven would bless the boy.
L4ittlc-ah, so Notwithstanding of when
and how she should kiss that face again.
She went to her writing table and OPEN
cd the pretty little desk that lay there.
She sat for some minutes Thinking what
TO say, wondering in what words she
could hest reach his heart, so us to touch
him with some little sorrow for his loss.
Then she wrote:
My Dear Husband-I call you by that
name for the last time. as l write for the
last lime. We are not happy, and 1 am
going from you. You are bitterly disap-
pointed in me. I heard tonight that all
Florence piticd you, and knew how I'M
happy l made you; so, Vivian, I am going
away where you will never see me my
more. If 1 could die and set you free, I
would, so gladly; but until heaven calls
me. / must live. l dare not take my own
life, even to set you free; but l will do the
next best thing 10 that-I will go away
where no one who knows you will ever see
me again. So shall / free you from a
presence you dislike. and from whit you
dislike even more-thc need of parting
with Miss Leigh. She can remain now
that l have gone"
The poor jealous heart revealed herself
in that line-hcr scalding tears fell like
raindrops upon the note.
Lady Niolantc took what money re-
manned in her desk. Half of it she gave
to her maid, and took half herself. Then
from her wardrobe shelves she took a
small travelling bag; in it she placed her
jewel case aud the purse, together with
a few papers. One contained Il lock of
her baby's hair. and was labeled "Eu-
pcrt's hair" TIT other contained a faded
rose, the first flower Lord Vivian had ever
given her, and the third held the little
locket that Lord Vivian had travelled to
Oakside to give her. These were her
treasures; little rocked the unhappy girl
OF the diamonds and rubics her husband
had lavishcd upon her-her only thought
was for those, her treasures, dcarer to
her than gold and jewels.
Then she gave the bag into her maids
care, and as she did so, she was struck
by the coldness of the woman's hand.
AFRO you chill md cold?" she asked;
and the woman shivered as thought it had
been December.
Il am cold. my lady" she replied; "cold,
sick and faint, as though with n great
dread. 1 cannot tell what has come over
mel feel as though l were going to die"
With her own hands Lady Sclwyn took
from the shelves a thick, warm fur cloak.
She wrapped it round her maids shout
dcrs.
That will warm you." she said. "And
now listen while i explain my plans. l
am determined that l will not be traced:
that which l fly from is more bitter than
death, and / will not lie found. We will
go to he railway station together: you
shall keep out of sight, and / will buy
the ticket for Genoa. You shall go by
train. and wait for mo in Genoa: 1 will
follow YOU by another route. Do you
understands
The .woman's eyes. with the strange
shadow in their depths, were raised calm
ly to hers.
Il understand. my lady
when they know that l have gone
away" continued Lady Sclwyn, ''they
will hear at the station that l took q
ticket for Genoa. and they will follow me
there. They will find you il they find
anyone-I shall he miles away. My idea
is 10 throw them off the right scent. There
could be no better plan than this"
None, my lady," said the maid, trying
TO shake off the dull lcthargy creeping
over her.
Il shall join You in Genoa continued
Lady Selwyn, when l know that the
search for me has proved fruitless. If
by any chance you should be seen, The
resa, you must say-what will be perfect
ly true-that you know nothing Of my
whereabouts, but that you yourself are re. |
turning to England. Now let US start;
go first. and 1 will follow you."
Theresa Bowden went on to her fate!
No n had noticed the departure Of
the maid. Some OF the guests were al
ready leaving the villa when Lady Sell
wyn. dressed in a dark travelling cloak,
passed forever from her home.
The railway station ut Florence was
not crowded or this eventful evening. One
mail train had just disgorged its load Of
passengers, and another was preparing to
start.
When the train did start a lady took her
place in the first-class carriage, and an
other-unobserved, unnoticed-stolc out
of the station yard.
Then, and for the first time, Theresa
Bowden had time to think of what had
happened-had time to realize her lady's
flight. The girls thoughts were very sad
ones; suddenly she found herself torn
from a comfortable home and launched or
a sea of difficulties that appeared endless.
II know" she said to herself. chat IL
the truth were known. all my lady's UNI
happiness comes from Miss Leigh"
The train passed by quiet vineyards,
where the faint dawn Of morning shone
on the purple grapes; past quiet Italian
villages, past purple hills and snow-clad
mountains, without stopping, without acs
cident. 1t reached a small station ut last.
near the pretty town Of Sedf. There they
r-1,o %vo ~o1nl hnorl 41n Gvsk Paint ennrn.