The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-30

that he tried in vain to shake off, though
carefully concealed under his usually calm
exterior, while the thought of Guilio Mazetti's
1ngratItude, and tha! strange June night, two
years ago, when he had found him lying
prone and helpless ON his doorstep, kept re-
curing to his memory with irritating per.
sistency. 1t was that very date, the 2ath Of
June, that he had come to him, come to rot
and betray his friend And where was the
Italian now? Gone, none knew whittier; the
police could have no clue, no sign.
AS he stood there, leaning heavily agains
the pane, a travelling piano stopped before
the house and struck up pathetic walt
refrain, and sigh burst from his lips as HI
listened, recalling the miserable doggerel tha
accompanied the old refrain, but had power
to make his pulses quicken and ache with
a very torture of regret.
''Toujours fdele, toujours fdele. Have yo,
forgotten? Can i forget?
Toujours idele, toJours fidele Your hour:
delight. and my life's regret.
Toujours fdele. How it rose and fell-whe1
it held you then, as it binds me yet"
Over and over again, in every variety, O.
discord, the organ played on, while hi:
Thoughts wandered back to the great con
servatory at Craymore Towers and his the1
unspoken love.
A slight touch on his shoulder reused him
Kitty had risen from her seat and was stand
ing beside him.
Il wanted to speak to you, to ask you
pardon, but had no opportunity tilln wo,' She
said, speaking hurriedly, her voice faint ant
low. Can you, will you, forgive my crue
and objectionable suspicion? I am ashamed
humiliated.'
you need be neither he interrupted
quietly, but he did not meet her eyes. ''You
belief was a natural one, everybody was i'm
bued with the same suspicion. A clean hant
and clear conscience stand man poo
stead in the day of calumny, and you the bu
one of the hundred that went with the tide
"Oh, how cruelty you speak, she cried
with catch in her voice that was like a sob
Surely, surely, you can understand all tha
felt, all I suffered, and find it in your hear
to forgiven"
II do understand I dc forgive" he an
swered, hastily.
She shot swift glance into his pale, ster1
face.
'"Then shake hands On the strength of it,
she said, with poor attempt at lightness
holding out one tiny trembling hand
He smiled as he took it lightly between hi
own, pressed it slightly and dropped it.
Her face had become gcastly as she turned
proudly away.
Then, as if moved By a sudden impulse, re
turned and laid he, hand pleadingly on hi
shoulder.
you are so cold, so stern" she murmured
almost piteously. 'Ah, if you would let nj
explain"
She did not finish the sentence, but her eve
clouded with tears having tried to read SOM
signs of yielding, of softenng in his avertec
face. that, with clenched teeth was so set an(
firm.
you distress me-" he cried, hoarsely VIII.
grieve over so trifling nistake-'
Tr1flng mistake, when her love, herself la,
trembling in the balance 'twixt the truth an(
the lie.
She grew cold as she listened
1T was best, far best, that such a belle
should have moulded your actions Your de
clslon was, believe me- a wise one"
She stared at his with wide open. horrifie,
eyes,
"But you think it best?" she queried
family.
He bent his head.
For moment she remained rooted to tn,
spot, then turned, and walked swiftly across
the long room, and. clinging to the mantel
leaned heavily upon it. But Castlemain,
never turned.
Alas! she understood it all now She hat
doubted his honor, and she had lost his love
He had prayed and pleaded, but she would
not listen. and now thay were parted foreve
by her own miserable distrust and doubtins
folly.
At that moment servant came to summon
Castlemaine to consultation with his solici
tor, and, with hurried apology, he with
drew, while Kitty sank, sobbing, into 6
chair.