Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-07-20

lie. Any hour. any day, may expose
it. Even if you would be willing to
live it"
expose it?' She smiled scornfully,
the momentary weakness fed. Who
think you, would Herbert Dalrymplc
think most likely to be believed-the
people ;vho prate to him of the like.
ness. OF his own eyesight? To him l
am Dorothy, his wife, and, as such, sa.
cred from suspicionH'
"And suppose that the farce you
play should. by some freak Of fate, be
made reality? Suppose that, in that
terrible time. your sister did not die
that she. indeed. should live, and one
day return to claim her own? How.
then, would you meet her, and how
would YOU answer to her for having
stolen her name, her husband and her
home:?"
y sudden, CHASTITY fear overspread
his listeners face. He had found the
one weak spot in her armor, and the
sharp steel had penetrated it.
Then the old defiance returned.
You treat of Representatives," she
said. e"Besides. what matters it? 1t is
with the present, not the future that l
have to deal. l am Dorothy Dalrym-
Dle-Lady Montfort. No ghost will
rise to dispute my claim!'
For Gods sake, Florence, listen to
me! From boyhood. Herbert Dalrym-
rle has been my friend-more to me
than Il brother. | love him With a love
only second to the passion you have
awakened in my heart. Do not force
me to turn traitor. Oh, Florence. leave
this house, this place. to-day. l will
take all the burden, all the responsible
ity of your act. All shame of eXplana-
ton shall be spared you. l will shield
you from every future consequence of
your remuneration. My darling. your
heart is not dead! You force it into
the opiate- bought lethargy One day
it will shake it off. and you will then
know the price paid for its slumber.
Decide. Florence, for us both. Either
you or must leave Montfort Castle to-
day. l can no longer live beneath the
roof Where l betray my friend, and
look hourly upon a, loneliness which
tends to destruction. Oh, God! why
did l ever look upon your face"'
An answer trembled on her lips.
tears trembled on her lashes; perhaps
his long-sutfering patience might at
last have attained its coveted end; but
a new and sudden interruption silenced
them.
They had paused In front Of little
clunnp of trees: beyond was q path
leading from the housc-a path down
which, Il few moments before had hur-
ried an eager figure, but which neither
of them had seen. until now. With a
- ),n
shade which had concealed il, and
grasped Arkwright by the throat.
Herbert Dalrymple had been an I'M
seen listener to ali that last, eager.
earnest speech, and had construed it
according to the only light his jealous
passion naturally could throw upon it.
''Traitor.. he hissed-"traitor.
Florence sprang forward, clingin@ to
his arm.
At her touch his grasp relaxed. He
turned and threw his arm about her
waist. his face white as death. his eyes
@lnriLg like those of some wild beast,
on the man whom a few moments be-
fore he had cherished as a brother in
wash out its cursed stain upon the
thing YOU heretofore have honored-
and believed your honor. Come, Dor
othy. my darling. come"
He drew her away With gentle force:
but Arkwright's voice detained them.
Il Will meet you at I this evening. by
the lake Herbert" he said. quietly.
You will be calmer then. and YOU Will
find me ready to answer to YOU how
and rs you will for the wrong YOU fan
cy have done YOU
Coward" answered Lord Montfort.
Must you drag your wretched life
longer. or do YOU fear to add murder
to the foulcr sin of your betrayal of my
ti,,Si:''
AT :. Herbert" was Arkwrishts
sole response
Then. casting one glance toward
Florence. to see if she would speak
enc glance. which told him that her
lips We're Sealcd--hc turned and walked
rapidly away.
Tie shadow Of his love was growing
dark. iudeed-cven trembling on the
darkness of eternal night.
Husband and wife We're alone. She
,.laSped her hands entreatingly upon
his arm, her lovely face blanched as
Icy fear
'IIcrhert. what arc You about TO Cio:'
q Ntl't tut tlit' tllStlt III his bltbu
" mine" WAS the quick response.
Tell me. Dorothy. when and where
GiG you and Harry Arlwright meet :"
lie he loved Florence" was her
Whispered answer. Il think Berthe.
his love for her has turned his brain.
and lac fancieS he sees her in me. He
called me once by her name. You have
hcar,! ne speak of the wonderful re
Selphlaucp between us. Suppose Oth-
er> BERTHE. should make the same mis-
take? 1t makes me Shudder as though
my own identity were slipping from
me
What silly fancieS, darling. and.
doubtless great RS the likeness is, it
never could deceive those who had
Known and loved you.
Put You will not fight Bcrrtc?
Premise ne this. You will not give
back your life to US only again to ieop-
ar,IiZe it:
Not tight:" he said. slowly. between
his SET teeth. Not avengc this deadi-
est insult ," Though the same mother
had horne rs both, vet should his life
or mile pay its forfeit"