Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1899-05-11


she went on.
1T cannot be. Agatha has no wish
to pain you, but it cannot be-"
He took the white hyacinth from
her hand.
Does she care for some one else?"
he asked, hoarsely.
Lord Lynne" was the calm reply,
you must not question the motives of
her decision. Allan Leigh has loved
her for many years. She has not
told me if she loves him"
But she does" interrupted poor
Philip. We'll, God bless her. Let
her do as she will. was mad to
think myself worthy of her"
He did not see the scorn, that rip
pied for one half moment over her
beautiful face.
Why. he asked, suddenly, did
she not give me the answer herself?
1t was from her own lips | asked to
hear my fate"
The calm, proud face never quailed
or faltered, the clear, musical voice
only said, Agatha is young. Perhaps
she feared being persuaded against
her will"
She need not have feared me-" he
said, proudly. "She has the right to re-
fuse me, if she will. | cannot under
stand it," he continued. She seemed
to like me, | thought"
She is young" replied the clear
voice, "and kind to every one"
Inez saw that her words touched him
keenly. He was proud, and it was not
pleasant to think that he had been
vain enough to confound and mistake
for love what was only kindness.
''The bearers or an unwelcome
message often share the fate of the
message they bring" said Inez, gently
DO not let me be so unfortunate
Lord Lynne"
NO" he replied kindly; you can
never be associated with anything
unpleasant in my mind. | shall al
ways remember how well and how
gently you have fulfilled painful
mission"
No doubt, no suspicion ever crossed
his mind; he was a Lynne, a gentle
man, and a man of honor. False
hood and treachery were unknown to
him. How could he suspect? She
brought him back the flower he had
placed in Agatha's hand She
brought him the answer; and no one,
as he thought, but Agatha had heard
the question.
My sister babe me ask two fayors,"
she continued zone is, that you may
never pain her by abiding to the
subject again; the second, that you
will so time your journey as to pre-
vent"
30 prevent her from seeing me
again until my folly is forgotten,
said Lord Lynne, bitterly. Eyes, tell
her in both wishes ! will obey her
punctually."
lie did not notice the flush that
seemed to scorch her face as she gave
utterance to the false words; he did
not notice how carefully she picked
up the poor little flower that, in his
hurry and agitation, he had dropped.
Il need not ask you to keep my
secret, Inez, he said, calling her for
The first time by her name. You can
be true, l know"
until death" was the reply.
u shall not make much difference
in my arrangements" he said. 81
was going by the evening train, but
now / shall leave at noon. Say adieu
TO your sister for me- he continued
taking her hand in his. TEL her
shall bear my pain like a brave man
and that | will not seek Ier presence
again until I am cured. Tell her
pray Heaven to bless her, and make
her happy, and that we shall meet
again as good and true friends"
Il will tell her" replied Inez; and
for the first time her lips quiyered ant
her eyes grew dim. He thought she
sympathised with him.
"Good-by,' he said; Il shall not sec
you again before I start,
"Good-by," she replied, calmly; bu
the hand he held grew cold in bis
grasp. The next moment he was
gone,
She clenched her delicate hands as
she went hastily up to her sisters
room again.
Il hate myself" she murmured. &"
am traitress-a false, living lie! Ye
. / swore to win at any risk, and
will"
Agatha still slept, although Thu
morning sunDeams were playing upor
her face. Inez replaced the flower
and then bent again over her sister
There was something like triumph il
the beautiful dark face as she watciet
! the unconscious sleeper.
II have done no harm, sh,
thought: she is not capable Of loving
and he will be happier with me-
! When Agatha awOke she va
startled to find her sister bending owe
/ her.
How late I ami" she said; but
was so tired; and l have had suci
pleasant dreams
Then Inez knew By the rush 0
Z y,-arr,tb and light over the fair fac