The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-06-10

| fOr what reaSOn!
Because by your aid alone can re-
gain my lost happiness answered in
ieep earnestness. Once. before you
eft London, you made certain allega-
ions against Ella; but you failed to
substantiate them, or to fulfill your
promise in exchange for your pass
oort."
Eyes, remember"
"She is now my wife, and l have
come to hear the truth from your own
Ups, Sonia"
"Your wife!" she gasped, glazing at
ne. "Has-has she actually dared to
marry your"
YES" answered. "She has dared,
because she loves me-
She remained silent, with knit brows,
for long time engrossed in thought.
Then briefly told her how, after her
departure, we had married, and related
how suspicion had been aroused within
me by her clandestine meetings with
Cecil Bingham, her flight, and my sub
sequent discovery of her true position.
Then you are aware who she really
is?" she observed, slowly at last. That
she has dared to enter into matrimo-
NAL alliance with you is certainly as
founding Indeed, it is incredible"
"Why?" inquired, in surprise.
There are the strongest reasons why
she should never have become your
wife," she replied, ambiguously.
"She lives apart from me. She has
returned to her house in Paris" said.
"Ah, 1t is best" she answered, me-
,hanically. ut is best for both of
you."
But we love one another, and, al
though she fears to tell me the truth
regarding all this mystery that has en-
veloped her for so long, you, neverthe-
ess, are in position to explain every
hing. Therefore, have come to you.
You are my wife's friend, Sonia," l
went on. Tell me why she has acted
with all this secrecy
'Her friend!" she echoed blankly.
Yes, you are right" she sighed. 1T
was a strange friendship, ours; she, a
Grand Duchess against whom never a
word of scandal had been uttered, and
well, l was notorious. The people
Vienna and Paris pointed at me in
he streets, and fashionable women
copied my manners and my dress. Yet
here was, nay there still is, strong
lie between us, tie that can never be
severed"
Tell me of it, l urged, when, paus-
ing, she turned her pale, agitated face
away from me toward the small grimy
window that overlooked the great sun
lit steppe.
Once l believed that she was your
enemy, and told you so. I feared that
because of her position she would never
marry you. Yet it seems she was real
ly in earnest, therefore, l now with
draw that allegation She evidently
loves you"
Eyes, but we are living apart because
she fears the revelation of some terri
BILE secret if she acknowledges me as
her husband"
and that is why you have come here
to learn of her past!" she cried in a
hoarse, hollow voice, as If the truth
had suddenly dawned upon her.
l nodded gravely in the affirmative,
then told her of our meeting in Paris,
and her refusal to make any satisfac-
tory explanation.
Il envied Elizaveta once" she said,
refiectively at last. II envied her be-
cause she was so supremely happy in
your love. Yet it now seems as if l, de-
graded outcast that | am, have even
more happiness and freedom"
"You were once her friend-she visit
ed you every day. You can be her
friend now; and by telling me the
truth, bring joy and confidence to both
of us. You can make our lives happy,
if you only will
NO" she answered, coldly, her face
hard and set. There was cruel look
in her eyes. why should 1? Why
should l strive for the happiness of one
to whom l owe all my grief and de-
spair?"
Surely no misfortune of yours is due
to her?" l protested, quickly.
"Misfortune!" she walled, her eyes
flashing. would you not call the loss
If the man you love mist rtune?" Then,
in quieter tones she added with sigh:
"Ah, you don't know, Godfrey, how in
tensely bitter my strange, adventurous
life has been. You believe, no doubt,
that woman of my character cannot
oil r D,,<
tell you that in London l loved one
man; the only man l ever met that l
could marry. l had renowned my past.
and sought to lead new life when 1
knew that he cared for me and was
preparing to make me his wife. But
she, the Grand Duchess, who tricked
you so cleverly. came between us, and
we were parted. Then l came here to
, Russia, sought solace among my for
mer companions, the scum Of the gaols
and ghettos, and have now descended
In despair to what l am. By her, the
woman you ask me to free from ter
rible thraldom, / have been thrust back
, into hopelessness, and have lost for
, ever the one chance had of Joy and
love-
Then, covering her handsome face
with her hands, she burst into tor
rent of tears.
Come" said, rising, and stroking
her soft silky hair. Her arms were up
on the table, and she had buried her
head in them, sobbing as if her heart
; would break. Come, do not give
way" l urged. who was the man you
loved?"
That concerns no one but myself,
she murmured. Even she has never
; had proof that we loved one another
Yet to her is due all this grief that has
y fallen upon me-"
5 Raising her head, she strove to sup
I press her emotion, as her brilliant
: tear believed eyes fixed themselves
steadily upon mine.