The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-05-06

the whole circumstances, but suddenly
remembering that Tor the present the
secret Of England's peril must be pre-
served II the identity of the spy was
to be discovered, ] refrained and an
swered:
The man who lsed that seal COM
mitted one Of the worst crimes Of
which man can be guilty"
What was it. tell me?" she asked
quickly. Surely dudley never COM
mitted any offence!"
II am not certain" answered
gloomily. "An enemy who would pose
as friend, as he has done, might be
capable of any deceit"
Have l not already told you that
he was not your enemy, Godfrey p"
she observed calmly.
"Ah, Ella" criad in disgust. "All
these falsehoods only render your
conduct all the more despicable. You
will deny next that you went down
to Warnham to meet him surrepti-
tiously."
"To Warnham!" she cried, white to
the lips.
Eyes. Do you deny it?"
mo. lit is quite true that met
him there" she faltered.
"You spent the day with my rival
unknown to me-" l went ON bitterly.
"Yet you declare that you never low
ed him!"
Her breath came and went in short,
quick gasps, her haggard eyes were
fixed, and she stood silent, unable to
make reply.
ut is useless to further prolong this
painful interview,"i exclaimed at last,
turning from her. a
II swear l never loved him." she
cried suddenly. Some day, when
you know the truth, you will bitterly
regret how you have misjudged me,
how, while striving to serve you, |
have fallen under auspicion."
But your visit to Warnham!"
said. 'Is that an act such as can be
overlooked without explanation
Il only ask you to place trust in
me, and l will prove ere long that !
acted under compulsion."
you want me % believe that he
held you irrevocatly in his power, |
suppose?" | said with biting sarcasm.
She nodded, ana held her head
in downcast, dejectAd attitude.
1T is easy enough to allege all this
now that he is dead" l observed
doubtingly.
Il have told you the truth. 1 fear
ed him, and was compelled to obey
she exclaimed hoarsely.
What was the object Of ynur visit
Surely you can explain that"
mo. l cannot"
"You absolutely rcfuse?"
Absolutely" she answered, in a
low, strained voice, looking straight
at me with an expression of deter.
mination.
Then we must part" l said, slow.
ly but firmly disengaging myself from
her embrace.
mo, no." she walled, sobbing bit.
terly and clinging more closely to me
do not be so cruel, Godfrey
You would never utter those words
could you know ALL"
"But you will not tell me-" I cried
"At present l dare not. Wait; be
patient, and you shall know every
thing"
How long must I remain in doubt
and ignorance?" I asked.
Il know not. Tomorrow the bond
of secrecy may be removed from my
lips, or it may be many months ere
can fearlessly speak and explain" sht
answered, in a strange voice, almost
as If speaking to herself.
From your words it would appear
that some person still holds power
over you, even though Dudley is
dead" l said, looking into her eyes
seriously.
She sighed deeply, and her hand
resting upon my shoulder, trembled
violently. yes, you guess the truth,
she answered. II would tell you all;
explain all these facts that no doubt
puzzle you and cause me to appear
base, heartless and deceitful, yet fear
the consequences. If | did so we
should be parted forever"
But If you told the truth and clear
ed your conduct l should then have
confidence again, and love you. How
should we be parted?"
Pale and silent she stood with her
eyes resting upon the distant line oil
dropping willows. Not until had re.
peated my question did she move and
answer in voice almost inaudible, as
she chung to me:
1--WE should be parted by death,
she whispered, hoarsely
by DEATH" l cried, dismayed
What do you mean, Ella? Do you
fear that the same tragic fate that has
overtaken Dudley will overtake your
| She shuddered, and burying her
white face upon my shoulder, again
burst into torrent OF tears. Hers
was indeed woeful figure, bent, de.
jected, and grief-stricken. Raising
her head at last she stifled her sobs
with an effort, and implored with ear
| nestness:
Tell me. Godfrey, that you will not
preju dge me. Tell me with your own
lips that you will be content to wait
In patience until / can present the
facts to you in their true light. l am
not an adventures, as you think.
have never, swear before Heaven,
looked upon any other man with
thought of affection. l have told you
of my inability to speak; l can tell
you no more"
/ made movement, steady, stern
and deliberate, to put ner from me, but
with her arms entwined fondly about
my neck, she criad in an agonized
tone:
mo, Godfrey. At least show me a
single grain of pity. Be patient. II
you desire it, l will not come near you
until l can reply to your questions