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

her eyss ached 40 she watched II, and Q
faint, sickly feeling stole around her heart
and made her head swim. The sky had
turned from dark blue to dark cobalt.
The birds had ceased to twitter, and, save
for that turbid, swirling water, the place
was intensely still. Her eyes were dark
and misty; her cheeks and even her lips
were pale.
II am going to be married to Julian
Carre."
Her voice did not sound like her own as
she said II. No blush came into her face,
no smile into her eyes. She looked and
spoke like n woman half daxed. The
harsh laugh that answered her made her
heart throb.
II wish him Joy Of his wife. then"
There came a low growl Of thunder,
and a patter Of big rain drops. Dulcie
started, and turned as II to step on the
bridge, but he put out his hand, and
would not let her stir.
"Oh. II were only at home." she
thought, III were only safe at homer
"Percy," she said. trying TO steady her
voice. II don't think you mean to be
cruel to me, but you are. Can't you see
that we are going to have an awful storm
I shall he drenched through before I reach
home as 1t is. Don't keep me here any
longer"
"Cruel to you, my darling! Have I
been cruel to your Then be sure never
meant II. I would shed my hearts blood
for you. Drlcie."
His hand came down heavily on her
shoulder. end he drew her to him with q
kind Of sob.
"why, the tria, 10 forget you. to love
Etty only and forget you. has almost kill.
cd me. DO you think could be cruel to
your
He drew her face to his breast, and
stroked her cheek with fond, trembling
fingers.
"what fools VIC have beenw he burst
out. presently. "what awful fools we
have both been. Dulcie! What ever pos.
scssed us to think We could live without
each otherT'
The thunder was fainter now; the storm
seemed TO be passing Of after all, as that
other storm had done before. but the rain
did not nbate. Dulcie. with her check
against his wet coat and her eyes lifted
to his face, listened to him In silence. Her
heart was beating with fierce Joy. She
felt hungry longing for this mans love.
for the sound Of his voice, the touch Of
his hand. What was all the world to her
or to him? He was right; they could not
live without each other. She felt as II
II would be easier to die In his arms than
to turn away and leave him to Esther.
All the love with which she had ever loved
him rushed back now.
III II be a SIM" she said to herself, 90
she lay In the close clasp Of his arms, II
cannot help Il. I have no strength In me
to give him up." 80
For brief SPACE there was silence be.
tween them; such silence 40 has been
well called golden" Again and again
her soft lips pressed little furtive kfsses
on the breast Of his coat. she thinking he
did not know. Again and again her eyer
looked up into his, only TO droop again
under the weight Of their happy tears.
II loved him Arst," she thought. II
must love him best. Etty would not ask
me to give him up II she knew"
"Dulcie," he said. presently. I'VE must
not keep this to ourselves an hour longer
Who shnll tell Esther, you or Ir'
''Oh, I could not! dare not! Oh,
Percy, must she known
When they had left the wood and come
out upon the common. they found the
sky one blaze Of shifting clouds, which
Rlowed and deepencd about the setting
| sun. Tears came into Dulcie's eyes
Something In that changing sky. In the
sweetness Of the frcshencd earth, touch
Cd her.
"How beautiful the world isy' she cried
softly.
"How beautiful my love isv' Perez
Stanhopc cried, looking ut her.
She smiled, yet sudden swift pans
made her heart ache. She could not for
get how lately he had called another won
IN his love-" while she had been forgot
ten. When they were near to The Elmi
he left her. He was going back to thu
city by the evening train.
Il will write and tell Etty everything
Trust me; will be ~ gentle 40 can be
but she will understand, and forgive VI
both. when I tell her ILL.,"
Dulcie's lips Quivercd and she ciaspet
her hands about his arm In sudden In
tOlerable remOrse and pain.
"Oh, my poor Etty! Dure we ever hop,
to be happy again after hurting her .,
cruelty? Could nothing save her from
such pain as this will be TO her2"
Nothing" he said, almost angrily, "bu
your death or mine. The day I saw 70,
In that fellows arms, I knew I could no
live without you. ! knew never coult
marry Esther"
Hi, face had a curious gray pallor upol
II; bis blue eyes had a cold CLEAN In them
his lips were set and stern. The beaut,
OF his face, which Dulcie thought the bon
NEST on earth. was dimmed Just then, o.
he held his little sweetheart's hands Il
bis. and answered her with such blum
diyectness.
When he had gone. she walked Quickl,
down the lane. and In at the gate OF III,
Elms. Mrs. Hardinge was looking out o.
the drawing room window. She felt curl
Gus to know when Dulcie came In, aud Il
any one came up the lane with her. n,
one did come with her. 90 far % she coul,
tell. and that paci6ed her a little. Stil
It was with something very like q snee
that she turned to Esther.
"Here 10 Dulcis ct last, looking no
very much unlike Q little tramp In wet
dragged clothes. I wonder how that cir
can 20 about In all weathers, 10 she hs
taken to doing lately"
Ito be continued.)
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