Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-12-24

mark" she exclaimed, in low husned
teue, then more loudly she repeated his
name. "Nfnrk-Mark--Nfark" she cried.
and fell into his outstrctchcd arms; and,
az her head lay against his heavily beat
Ing heart, he bent his own over her In
silence.
Suddenly he felt her tremble violently
In his arms. and heard her breathing come
In dow. hurried gasps.
"Barbara.' he whispered anxiously,
bending his head still lower over hers:
and the girl slowly raised her face and
looked up at him with blind. unsceing
eyes.
"Mark," she gaspcd. in almost inaudible
tones, "you have come to me"
"My darling. you might have known
would come" he answered hoarsely.
ut Is so good to see you. Mark" she
whispered. II have wanted you so Sftcn."
"1lnve you. dcar!"
eyes. Why do you speak SO sorrowful-
~, Mark? Have vcxcd you? Are you
unhappy about me?'
She was looking at him with a faint,
unconscious smile on her pale lips: then.
rs she met his troubled. anxious eyes. the
smile died away. and was replaced by a
sudden questioning look. Her eyes wan.
dered round the room. lingering on the
bare walls. the higll.barr cd window. a
long shudder shook he: slender frame,
and. with faint. sobbing cry. she hid her
face upon Lord Hatton's breast.
mark" she said presently. without
looking up. and cinging to him with trcm.
bling hands, II will never tell. dcsr. will
never tell! ! know 1t was an accident,
and"
IT,. ,rorJ. J;ad osov aud sho ,,ros aod
her head convulsivcly against him. as II
she wished to shut out some terrible Wis
ion: but, as he was going to speak. she
raised a trembling hand and touched his
lips with her burning fingers.
"Hush! Say nothing" she whispered
fcyerishly--"it II not safe! You might BE-
overheard. Mark. l understand! 1t was
for me, dear--hc had been so cruel! All
ought not to have said that! He Is dead
You knew. did you not? Ah!-springina
up suddenly, with a low. sharp, startled
cry Of dread. "Why did you come? 1t Is
not safe. Webster saw you. and. Oh
Mark, go---go, dear! I am not ufraid-l
am not afraid"
MY darling. what Is it?" Mark asked
anxiously, catching the trembling girl II
his arms. what dreadful thought Is II
your mind? DO you think that ! an
guiltG OF that poor mans death? Bar
bara, listen!
But she was incapable Of sclf.contro
Just then; she was shaking from head tc
foot, her eyes were burning with fever
her hands shook as II with palsy.
"N0-l cannot listcn," she said wildly
"Aiark, you did It, did you not? He TOLD
me he was to meet you there, and went
and when ! got there. you were gone, ant
i never told, dear! They knew ! hat
been out; but did not tell them why
would have died first! But you must 20
Mark. lest they should suspect and"
The hurried, broken, disconnected word,
died away. her great wild eyes rested OF
his face In mute inquiry.
MY darling. there has been some terri
bic mistake" he sud gently but impress
sively. Dear, am entirely innocent o.
what you suppose. ! met him that night
as you imagine, but did not harm him
did not lay finger upon him, sorely al
! was tempted TO do so: I will swear that
Barbara. You must bcltcvc mo. my dear
est"
EYES," she murmurcd fecbly. lcaninl
heavily upon the little deal table: II be
licve you. Mark. know you cannot speal
falsely. And yet-and yet" Shc push
cd her hair from her forehead with
strange wild gesture, and stood starin
straight before her for moment; then
In hoarse, trembling voice. she went on
In broken, disjointcd sentences: II wen
out. 1t was very cold and dark-s0 darl
that could see nothing; but he had toll
me that you would meet him there, and
thought you would help mo. Mark---yo
had never failed me-"
II will not fail you now. my darling,
he murmurcd, u sudden fear striking hin
as he listened TO the broken words an
looked at the wild eyes which stared =
blindly before her. Dear. you trust mt
do You not!'
Eyes" she whispered. "But it is all $
strange; ! cannot understand. 1t Is a
dark as that night was! went out, and
touched his face; 1t was like Iceland
was frightened; and thcn--oh, Mark for
give mel thought you bad killed hmw
"Aiy poor Barbara" hc murmIrcd husk
lily.
II did not know what to do. had 0nl
one thouGht-to hide my secret until 20
could get away. Are you very angry wit
me. Mark! l thought it was an accident
but"
Dear, try to forget it. All will b
right soon"
II have told YOU" she murmurcd. pa,,s
Ing between each word in the fnintnes
and exhaustion which were creeping owe
her. 1T was dark and cold. rs 1t Is nov
Mark -ah"-with a swift, low. shuddel
ing cry; and she covered In his arms Il
the door opencd-"don't let them take n,
from you. Mark-don't lot them"
Her voice died away In an inarticulat
murmur. her head fell back upon hi
shoulder, with her face upturned, an
sight and sense and consciousness all faG
ed in merciful insensibility.
CHAPTER INV.
Barbara's eyes had closed to oil on
ward things In the bare little room at tn
police station In Arlington; but when. a
ter long period OF insensibility. she opcl
ed them again, her languid gaze rested o
the silken hangings Of her bed at Elsda
Castle, and then wandered slowly roun
the room.
The winter day was at its close; outsid
the dusk was deepening into night. A sol
light was burning In the pretty fragral
room, fire glowed In the crate, and nea
the shaded lamp lady sat busy with SON
fancy needlework. making quiet, hom
" picture. Her head was bent over b,
work, and Barbara's lanxuid eyes IA
only the soft flmy lace Of her head-dres
Ill I'll 10.