Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-03-23

lie your penetration. How is 1t pos
sible that you should have known of
Captain Germain's movements"
1T Is very natural conclusion |
draw, Lady Violante, especially since
upon the day of the accident, was well
aware the old Count was to make the
formal proposal for your hand. The
postponement was doubtless owing to
at the castle"
! THE day OF the accident" repeated
| Violante, her dark eyes widening with
surprise. Did you know me them"
He smiled mournfully.
Did | know you? ah, you had not
rode, or walked. for months before
that. but my eye followed you lovingly
and admringly; not movement you
made escaped my vigilance"
And why?" asked she in startled
tone.
Because loved you, because l wor-
SHIPPED the ground upon which you
trod, because you were the star, that
high as the heaven above me, yet
frightened and cheered my gloomy
night. You have the answer now, Lady
! Violante."
The color centered in : burning glow
on her cheek-the long dark eye-lash
dropped lower than when the tear
weighed down the silky fringe, but she
made no reply.
DO not accuse me Of presumption"
said he, with proud humilisg since
you have eXtorted from me Il Secret !
meant 10 hide always in my sssla heart.
! Forget that you knew it, and tell me
if Count Germain is to win, with all the
rest, the one peerless woman the wide
world holds, as the angel of my hope"
Her clasping hands concealed her
face, and with the trickling tears her
words came brokenly--
II cannot tell; | only know | am
unhappy, wretched-aroused from my
tranquil life Of calm enjoyment 10 a
! knowledge Of the care and grief the
world offers TO all alike. Ny father
neye: spoke an unkind word to me be-
fore; bit yesterday he was stern, sar-
| castle, pitlless-all because | said did
not love the Count"
You do not love the Count" ex-
claimed Bernard joyfuly. kind prov
idence, benefcent fate--how ! have
wronged you! this is joy enough for
me. Lady Violante. | am not mad
enough TO ask the blessed dover of
your love for myself, but oh, l shall go
away content to take up mine own per-
ilous, darksome life, knowing that you
will not give it to him, my rival and
my enemy, in other lots than that of
love"
She drew away the white fingers and
looked over to him with bewildered,
fearful eyes.
II cannot understand you, Bernard.
o, that you would speak openly and
plainly"
She had never called him by his
name before. 1t thrilled softly, like
delightful music to the ears.
"If / COLD, do you doubt that /
should do so? Is it not proof of that
inexorable fate that binds my tongue,
that 1 make no effort to propitiate your
favor, to win the affection that would
be more to me than honor, fame,
wealth, the whole world? Oh, Lady
Violante, you do not know, you cannot
dream how l have loved you, and how
have suffered through it,!
But" said she proudly, where is
Valerie?"
valerie" repeated he, turning his
face away that she might not see the
one exulting smile leaping into it, as
he caught her offended, jealous look Of
pride. valerie is my mother!"
Guileless Lady Violante, despite her
pride and reserve, she could not hide
the glad light that changed the tear
into a sparkling diamond. and dimpled
the treacherous lips into happy smile
"Your mother" repeated she, and
then paused in confusion.
How mis- swift, clear glance devoured
the downcast face: yet he said calm
ly-
And you do not love the Count
can you tell why it is?'
Not precisely. We have always
been neighbors. from very childhood.
But / remember the first incident that
changed my girlish admiration of him,
and gave me an insight into cruel,
passionate temper that alarmed and
shocked me. 1t was long, long ago
but never could forget 1t. They used
to have in their household young
peasant lad, somewhere near Count
Emiles own age, who was favorite,
believe, Of the old Counts. l remem-
Der him well, so handsome, active and
daring. Indeed, always preferred him
for playfellow to Emlle-many boy
ish favor did ne bestow upon me. For
some reason. / never knew, Emile al
ways hated him, and lost no opportu-
nifty of insulting and tormenting him;
and once because Hugo put his arm
around me to lift me from swing.
Emile struck him in the face, with
some taunt did not comprehend. But
I saw the fire fash from Hugo's eyes,
and fearing a struggle would ensue,
| screamed for helm The old Count