The Portland daily press., 1898-04-27
because such action was imperative; be-
cause I was striving for my emanclpa-

because such action was Imperative; be-
cause 1 was striving for my emanclpa-
tion.''
Your emancipation" 1 exclaimed,
with a touch of anger. From
your marriage vows, it seems
"Ah, mol" cried the Grand Duchess,
throwing back her white neck which rose
with her hot, painting breath. NO,
no, not that! I struggled to free myself
from tie SO hateful that believe
should have killed myself were it not that
loved you so fondly, and hoped that
some day happiness would again be ours.
But alas, [ stroye in vain, for within an
ace OF success you became filled with sus-
Tlclon and accused me of unfelthful-
ness, While 1T became imperative. almost
at the same moment, that Il should re-
turn to the position I had sought to re-
linquish. Since Il fled from you I have
lived on from day to day full of bitter
regrets and in constant fear lest you
should discover that 1 was not what /
represented myself to be, and come here to
demand an explanation. Well, at last you
nave come, and-and all can now do is
to assure you that acted in our mutual
interests, and to implore your forgive
ness.''
| still gazed atlher without replying.
Forgive me, Geoffrey,' she repeated.
"One cannot get accustomed to the loss
of happiness, and 1 cannot live without
you, indeed cannot. Say that we may
begin again, that, even though we must
Tor the present be parted we may ,still
love and live for each other. See 1 am
laughing and am happy" she cried,
hysterlcally. Speak. Do speak to men'
Isars were trembling in her deep, won
derful eyes like dewdrops in the calix of
blue flower, and without knowing
What did l stroked her silky hair.
Slowly she bent her head, and at last I
softly kissed her eyelids.
Yes," | said huskily. 81 love you,
hlia-for can call you by no other name
and cannot think of you other than as the
woman believed you to be. I can see
that although we are man and wife in
the eyes of the law, that you were right
to end the folly, even though YOU were
unable to do it without some pangs of
conscience. You are my wife, it is true,
but our lives lie apart. for your position
the world as your husband. YOU
Yes, will. l will, Geoffreyl Soon
I shall be free from this terrible woke
that brushes me beneath it's burden. y She
exclaimed eagerly. "Be patient, and ere
long we may again live together and en-
joy our happiness to the full. You still
doubt that I really love you. You believe
that my marriage was mere freak of
which I afterwards repented, and then
strove to hide my identity. What can /
dop'' she cried, dismayed. "What can /
do to give you proof that love no other
MANI"
"One very small action" answered
gravely, still holding her slight trembling
| form in my arms.
"What is it2'' she inquired quickly,
glancing up into my face. 81 am ready
| to do it, whatever it is. :"
For moment I paused in hesitation.
ANSWER me single question, Ella l
| said. Remember you are my wife. and
| should have no secrets from me. Tell me,
truthfully and honestly, how there came
| into your possession the secret document
| that was stolen from me on the day of
Dudley's DEATH
The COLOUR left her face, her lips moved,
and slight sbiver ran over her shoulders
as she gazed at me. Never before had
her eyes seemed SO large and deep, nor
had there been such depths in them.
Sone subtle influence seemed in an in
slant to have TRANSPORTED her whole be-
| ing.
1 NJ l.