Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-05-13

1luD ue uVSeIteu yOuJ
mo. It is who have left him."
"Youw
The emphasis laid on that one word
forced Sydney to assert herself for the
first time.
III had not left him Of my own free
WILL" she said, what else would excuse
ME for venturing to come here2 He has
been all that 10 kind and considerable" she
added; he has done everything that Q
man In bis unhappy position could do to
set my mind at ease. And yet have left
him. Oh! claim no merit for my repent.
nnce; bitterly as feel II might not have
had the courage to leave hin,-if he had
loved me a. he once loved you"
Miss Westerfeld! You force me to tell
you that you are the last person living
WIG ought TO allpde to NJ married life"
"You may perhaps pardon the alluslon,
madame. when you have heard THAT I
h9Ye Atill e ~: eve i to Nj. Herbert
Linley, II not to you, to confess that his
life with me has not been life Of happi.
ness. He has tried, compassionately tried,
to keep bis secret SORROW from discovery,
and he has failed. had long suspected
the truth; but only saw Il In bis face,
when be found the book you left behind
you at the hotel. Your image has, from
first to last, been the one living image In
bis guilty heart. I am the victim Of q
mans passing fancy. You have been, you
are still, the one object Of q husbands
love. Ask your own heart II the woman
lives who could say what have Just said,
unless II was truey'
Catherine's head sank on her bosom; her
helpless hands lay trembling on her lap.
For the 6rst time since the beginning
Of the interview Sydney allowed the i'm.
pulse Of the moment to lead her astray.
In her easerness to complete the act Of
atonement, she failed to appreciate the ne.
verify OF the struggle that was passing In
GATHERINGS mind. She alluded again to
Herbert Linley, and she spoke too soon.
"Will you let him ask your pardon r she
said. HE expects NO more"
GATHERINGS spirit was reused In an In.
slant. He expects too muchw she an.
swered, sternly.
Sydney saw her mistake and tried too
late to Get It right.
ut 10 my misfortune II I have taken q
liberty" she pleaded; pray don't treat
me a. II It was my fault. dare not ask
you TO alter your opinion"
do you dare look the truth In the
facet" Catherine interposed. DO you
remember what sacred ties that man has
broken? What memories he has profan.
ed3 What years Of faithful love be has
cast from him2 Must I tell you how be
poisoned bis wife's mind with doubts Of
bis truth and despair Of bis honor, when
he basely deserted herr You talk Of your
repentance. 10 there no sympathy for me
In your repentancer'
Sydney silently submitted to reproach,
silently endured the shame that finds No
excuse for itself.
Catherine looked at her and relented.
The noble nature which could stoop "a
anger. but never sink to the lower depths
Of malice and persecution, restrained II.
self, and made amends. II soy II In nc
unkindness to you," she resumed, "but
when you ask me to forgive, consider
what you ask me to forget. Il will only
distress 10 both II We remain longer to.
gether," she continued, rising % she
spoke. perhaps you will believe that
mean well when ask II there 10 anything
! con do for your
Nothing"
All the desolation Of the lost woman told
its terrible tale In that one word. Invited
to rest herself In the hotel, she asked leave
to remain where she was; the mere effort
OF rising was too much for her now. Cath.
crime said the parting words kindly. ~
believe In your good intentions; l believe
In your repentance"
''Helieve In my punishmenty' Ate,
that reply no more was said.
Behind the trees that closed the view at
the further end Of the lawn the moon wal
rising. Al the two women lost sight Of
each other, the new light, pure and beau
tiful, began to dawn over the garden.
| CHAPTER Xix.
When q servant at her lodgings an
nounced q visitor. and mentioned bill
name, eydney's memory recalled II % be
longing to q brother Of her dead father
and Randall Linley's club friend. Captain
Bennydeck.
"My dear. how like your father 70,
are" he said. "You have bis eyes ant
his smile; can't tell you how pleasant!
you remind me Of him." He took be
hand and kissed her % he might hav
kissed daughter Of his own. "Do yol
remember me at home, Sydney, when yo'
were q childH No; you must have beef
; too young for that"
She was deeply touched. In faint, trem
, oliug tones. she said, II remember you
name; my poor father often spoke Of you.
, A man who feels true sympathy 10 new
or In danger Of installing bis way to
woman's heart when that woman has sui
fered.
After speaking Of the bygone days q
home, he continued:
II have been seeking you for month,
\ IL