Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-03-09

physician. You will die II you persist
In dwelling upon your trouble. Con-
fide In me-let me help you--oh for
my sake, for my sake who have brought
all this pain to you, do not die" and
here Violante paused, choked by q
food OF tears.
He looked at her wonderingly, and
said, slowly:
For your sake? what will it be to
your"
Lady yiolante brushed away her
tears to answer reproachfully:
DO you think l have heart OF
stone? 1t will be everything to me to
see the preseryer of my life restored to
health and happiness"
Happiness" echoed he, with bitter
emphasis, lis word whose meaning
have never known. You must urge
some better plea"
She looked at him sorrowfully. The
pallid, handsome face, the restless eyes,
the tumbled jetty waves of hair,
through which the one free hand had a
trick OF plunging itself, to free the ir-
ritatlon there was no ether way Of
manifesting. All these appealed ire
sistibly to Violante's tenderest compass,
sion, and seemed to explain somewhat
the singularity Of his behavior.
Alas" said she. 'can IL be there "a
any human being so beset with misfor-
tune, his love Of life has fed? Surely,
then, there is some one who loves you,
for whose sake you should strive to re-
coyer?"
He was studying, earnestly, her in
genious face, and then, suddenly, he
exclaimed:
'Yes. yes, II there is any truth on
earth | see Ii before me. can trust
you. Lady, sweet lady, there is one
favor you may do for me, which will
give me rest and quiet, IL such thing
is possible for me in this most unfor-
tunate affair.""
Violante bent eagerly forward.
Thank you, OH thank you, anything
whatever you may ask, will be so joy
fully performed in return for a debt
that can never be worthily repaid"
May, nay" said he, with an i'm
patient gesture. Talk not OF grati-
tude, l beseech you! nor promise rash
ly. 1t is no common boon ask of you.
1t is strange, unheard Of know not
but improper: but remember it is at
your own option"
The glow faded from her face, yet
she asked earnestly: What is it?"
First, Lady Violante Beauvais,
must appeal to your honorable gener-
osity, and beseech you to keep sacred
silence upon the request, whatever you
may decide"
Il promise" answered her sweet,
clear tones, while her cheek paled
little.
Still he hesitated-a flush passed over
his face, and then died off, leaving 1t
almost white. The fiery light of the
dark eyes was flooded away by a sud.
den rise Of tears, as he said, yehe-
mently:
why do hesitate-simpleton that
am! dread to fill you with distrust
and suspicion. Oh, Lady violante, IL
could only tell you everything. all my
wrongs and woes-but, as there is a
heaven above us, nothing of any guilt
on my part. You, in your angelic in
nocence are not more free from stain
of crime, than IT, and, quivering with
emotion, he clasped the one useful hand
over his eyes.
may" said the girl, with gentle dig
nifty, there Is no need of the assur-
ance. am confident of 1t already. One
who risks his life to save another who
is nothing to him, lacks discretion, but
not goodness. Nothing can make me
doubt your worth"
His lip quivered. Heaven bless you.
Lady violante, 1t were worth a thou
sand pangs like these I feel to hear
such words from you lips. Keep such
faith in me. pray you, while I urge
my strange request. Will you write for
me these words on slip Of raper?"
valerie, be at rest. He who is abb
sent is safe and will soon rejoin you;
be wary and vigilant till then. Ber-
nard, for whom a friend takes the pen."
Lady violante's face showed her sur
prise. but she quietly drew toward her
a writing tray, and wrote the desired
message.
(To DE coSrrSJEp.) ss