The Red Cloud chief., 1898-12-09

death OF him, and no won't leave me.
You look tired yourself, and rs II you
had quito enough of the f~estivity."
II was thinking OF going home. Are
you ready to come. Elder"
quite. Let US start at once: I'm 80
glad l met you, Paul"
Bidding her cavalier ar unceremon.
ious adieu, she put her hand within my
arm and we walked home across the
fields. leaving the pony trap for Helen
to order whenever she liked.
The hours went by. Fdie and ! din
ed tetc-a-tete. made music together.
took a moonlight stroll to the river,
still Helen did not return. At last,
some time after midnight. we heard
tho sound of approaching wheels, and
presently she entered, with glowing
cheeks and glittering eyes. escorted by
Sir William H%ernshaw. who she In
formed US had persuaded her to remain
to dinner ut the Grange. where they
had had such a delightful dance after
wards; then. with a careless nod to me
and Edith, and a whispered good night
to her escort. sho went straight to bca.
l stood rooted to the spot staring after
her, until Edith's soft palm was passed
pityingly owe my hand, her lips. close
to my ear, murmured soothingly:
II am SO sorry-so sorry, dear boy;
but you must make excuses for her;
she is young. you know, and from her
bringing up does not understand the
usages Of society. II you like I'll give
her n hint tomorrow that English gen.
tlewomcn do not do those things. h
means no harm, I'm sure"
l could have no explanation with
Helen that night, for, when I went up
to her room. she was sleeping heavily;
and the next morning she rose at day
break, and did not appear at breakfast.
When l returned from tho club at
Ifshorton, / found Edith established at
10 tea table with her dainty work
| strewn round her. waiting to pour out
my tea, Just as I had pictured her. with
timid rapture, a hundred times during
the months I had courted her so rev.
erently; and my wife sitting under q
tree on the lawn facing q window, jim
cuddled up in her arms. and Sir Will
liam H%ernshaw's bold dark eyes look
ink into hers with un%disguised admira-
ton.
started from my seat with a sudden
desire to kick him then and there out
of my grounds, when Edith, divining
my movement. interposed.
paul, Paul, for heavens sake re-
strain yourself! Think OF the shame
the scandal that would follow; and she
means no harm, I'm sure. Oh. indeed
I'm sure Of that. I've not had the
opportunity yet Of speaking to her
but"
do not seek the opportunity" In
terrupted fiercely; 1T would be OF nc
use. I will speak to her; but I think
she must be losing her head. I can't
make out what possesses her. mar
ried, as I thought, a harmless. inno-
cent child-married her through
"Pity, generosEsI, through the no.
blest spirit of self-sacriflce. Oh. I guess
the story Of your courtship and your
marriage, my poor Paul! have
guessed It some time. and II has not
nelpeu 10 mdhe my iUI iiButci, " tcC-
oncile me to what I lost In losing the
the love of one of the truest, noblest
-ah, what am I saying-what am l
saying?" she cried, covering her face
with her hands and shrinking from me.
When I see you treated like this. II
can't help 1t. my heart speaks out. Oh.
60 away-go away! Do not look at me.
please"
I was about to leave the room when
O servant entered and handed me a
letter. After reading It. I laid It 81
lently before my companion. When
she had read she turned to me with
burning face and sobbed family:
II wish I were dead-oh. I wish l
were dead!"
flush. hush." I whispered: "you--
you must not say that! Tonight. Ed!el
1t must be-"
She shivered.
"You-you will BIO with me, Paul
You will be with me. Paul? You will
not leave me-"
Ito be Continued.)