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

Win Dltter sarcasm.
mo, l do not" she cried, quickly.
Il appeal to your generosity toward a
woman. l have been compelled to
act against my own inclinations; COM
PEELED, in order to outwit my enemies.
to act part despieable and revolving.
| can now only ask forgiveness" and
throwing herself suddenly upon her
knees before me, she cried, See, Geof-
frey, l crave one grain Of pity from
you, my only friend. the only man
l have loved!"
mo, Ella" l answered, quickly,
withdrawing my hand that she was
pressing to her hot fevered lips. Il
may pity you, but forgive you never"
"Never!" she gasped. clasping her
breast with her aands as If to stay
the beating of her heart, and strug-
Cling unevenly t. her feet. "Why
never"
Because you have deceived me-"
Eyes, yes!" she walled. 81 admit
it, I admit it all, but l swear my ac-
you cannot know everything, or you
would kiss me as fondly as you used
to do You, Geofftey, would love me
with love even more tender and pas
sionate than befofe if only you were
aware Of what have suffered for your
sake"
l turned from hsr in disgust. Her
tragic attitude filled me with loathing
and contempt, for l knew she was ly-
ing.
Can you never again trust me?" she
asked in low, hoarse voice. "Will
you never forgive
81 can have no further confidence in
a woman who has practised such artful
deception as you have,' l answered,
turning again tow.rd her and noticing
the look Of unutterable sadness in her
fearful eyes.
Deception" she cried, starting.
What do you mean? What have
done?"
"You acknowledge having deceived
me wilfully with ell the deep cunning
of an adventures yet you refuse me
one word of explanation, either in re-
gard to Beck or Dudley"
There is nothing to explain, as far
as Mr.. Beck is concerned" she an
swered demurely. "He is an old
friend, and your suspicious that there
was any love between us are absolutely
absurd"
why, then, did you confess in your
letter than you wkre unworthy OF my
lover l demanded with warmth, walk
ing toward her.
She hung her head. There was a
deep silence, broken only by the low
ticking of the clock. In a few mo-
ments her hand stole in search Of
mine, and engrossed in my own sad
thoughts l let it Ringer there
"Geoffrey," she laid at length, tim
idly.
gazed out uphn the sunlit river
watching boatfrl of happy holiday
folk pass by, and remained stolidly
unconscious.
"Geoffrey," she repeated. II tried
ever so long to refrain from t,.at con-
fession, yet was Unable. But l did
not allude to Mr.. Beck. 1t was my
conduct with Dudley that caused me
to become conscience-st
wretch. feared from day to day that
you might discover our many long ex-
cursions and the idle afternoons we
spent up the backwaters, he lazy and
indolent, l using all my woman's wiles
to fascinate him aad bring him to my
| feet"
And you succeeded" l interrupted,
huskily.
Yes, l succeeded" she went on,
speaking slowly, almost mechanically.
Il had set my mind upon victory. and l
achieved it after weeks and weeks of
striving. dreading always that you
might discover the truth, and fearing
that my conduct would appear in your
eyes too serious for forgiveness. The
| blow that l dreaded has now fallen"
she cried, with choking sob. "Dud-
ley is dead, and l., compelled to speak
the truth, have publicly acknowledged
myself unworthy of your love-"
SIS it not best that l should know
the truth?" l asked, seriously. You
render your behavior the more unpar-
donable by the absurd falsehoods' you
wish me to believe"
II do not wish you to believe any
falsehoods," she cried, resentfully, her
bright eyes flashing as she glanced at
me. What l have told you is the
truth. l swear it before heaven!"
"You deliberately firtsd with Dud'
ley with an object in view. Oh. MOI
I laughed with contempt. THAT Ii
too lame tale"
1T is the TRUTH" she said, looking
me straight in the face, her nervous
hands toying with her rings. Ever
though you may believe i'll Of me,
have lost neither honor nor self-re
spect. l acted under compulsion, tt
achieve one object"
"And 1 hope you have gained thu
mysterious end you had in view"
said, with bitter sarcasm.
eyes, l have" she replied, with al
intenseness in her voice that SURPRISED
me. Il have gained my object ever
at risk OF being discarded by you
Godfrey, and being branded as bas,
adventures.
Even at the cost of the life Of thu
man you deceived?" l hazarded.
She started at my words. Her pal,
lips trembled, and in her eyes was ,
strange look, as If haunted by som,
spectral fear The effect Of this re
mark was extraordinary, and l a
once added:
Remember, you suspect that bud
ley's death was not due to natura
causes.
Suspect" she cried Il know h
was fouliy murdered"
by whom?" inquired, with breath
less eagerness.