Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-05-06

To him I must refer you, In the first n.
stance. His wisdom will decide the sefi.
GUS question Of receiving you into our
Holy Church. and will discover, in due
time, II you have true vocation to re-
ligious life. With the Fathers sanction,
you may be sure of my affectionate desire
to serve you"
Sydney put the letter back in the envel.
ope, feeling grateful toward the mother
superior, but determined by the conditions
imposed on her to make no further ad.
vances toward the Bcnedictine commu.
nifty.
Even II her motive in writing to the con.
vent had remained unchanged, the allu.
sions to the priest would still have decid.
ed her on taking this step. The bare idea
of opening her inmost heart, and telling
her saddest secrets to man. and that
man a stranger, was too rcpellcnt to be
entertained for moment. In few lines
Of reply, gratefully and respectfully writ.
ten, she thanked the mother superior, and
withdrew from the correspondence.
The letter having been closed, and post.
ed In the hotel box. she returned to the
sitting room, free from the one doubt that
had troubled her; eager to show Herbert
how truly she believed In him, how hope
fully she looked to the future.
With happy smile on her lips she open.
ed the door. She was on the point of ask.
ing him playfully IL he had felt surprised
at her long absence. when the sight that
met her eyes turned her cold with terror
In an instant.
His arms were stretched out on the
table; his head was laid on them; despair
confessed itself in his attitude; grief spoke
In the deep sobbine brcaths that shook
him. Love and compassion restored sgd.
ney's courage; she advanced to raise him
in her agms--snd stopped QnSe more. The
book on the table caught her eye. He
was still unconscious of her presence; she
venturcd to open II. She read the inscrip-
tion--lookcd at him-looked back at the
writing-and knew the truth at last.
The rigor Of the torture that she SUI.
fercd paralyzed all outward expression Of
pain. Quietly she put the book back on
the table. Quietly she touched him, and
called him by name.
He started and looked up; he made an
attempt to speak to her In his customary
tones. II didn't hear you come In" he
said.
She pointed to the book, without the
slightest change in her face or her man.
ner.
II have read the inscription to your
wife," she answered: II have seen you
while you thought you were alone; the
mercy which has so long kept the truth
from me Is mercy wasted now. Your
bonds are broken. Herbert. You are
free man."
He affected not to have understood her.
She let him try to persuade her Of II, and
made no reply. He declared. honestly de.
clarcd. that what she had said distressed
him. She listened In submissive silence.
lie took her hand and kissed Il. She let
him kiss II and let him drop II at her side.
She frightened him: he began to fear for
her reason. There was silence--long, hor.
rid, hopeless silence.
She had left the door Of the room open.
One Of the servants Of the hotel appeared
outside In the passage. lie spoke to some
person behind him. "Perhaps the book
has been left In here" he suggested. A
gentle voice answered: II hone the lady
and gentleman will excuse me II I ask
leave TO look for my book" She stepped
into the room to make her apologies.
Ito be continued.)