Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-05-09
CHAPTER XVIII.


CHAPTER XVIII.
~. dsv and the hour arrived. Sir
pasI was to go with them as far as
Darar and see them safely on board.
Tbsv were all four to start by the mid.
dsv train from Arley to London
leah had measured her strength that
norntng. and found it rapidly failing.
~ could not live through two more
Asv. OF IT," she said. Thank heaven.
IL Is almost over.
She was passive, while her maid took
all the pains she could to hide the shrink
rug OF the graceful figure, the palior OF
rhe beautiful face. She must keep up
Appearances while she was In England.
among those who knew her: but, when
she was across the sea. she could give
way, she could droor and die as she
would-but not here.
She bade farewell to the grand old
home where she had been so utterly. but
falsely happy. She stood for some time
on the terrace where the passion flowers
grew-the spot where she had seen her
lover first, and where her heart had gone
out to him. She kissed the bare brown
branches They would live again: they
would be covered with green leaves and
starry flowers when leaves and flowers
should gladden. her eyes NO more. She
stretched out her hands with a great cry
when she took her last look round the
room where she had spent such happy
hours. All earth and air seemed burn
ing fire. Oh, for rest, for change, for
the coldness even Of the grave!
Those who saw Miss Hatton's face
when she left Brentwood never forgot 1t.
. 1t was a strange journey to Dover. Sir
Arthur was the only one who talked.
Hettie avoided either looking at or speak
Ing to Sir Basil, and Leah could have
laughed in bitter amusement at the
scene. Sir Arthur spoke of his nieces'
return, Of the marriage, of Glen, of Basil
In Parliament, and saw nothing wrong.
They stood together on deck at last,
a blue sky above them, the sun shining OF
the white cliffs of Dover and on the sea,
which was almost as smooth as a mirror.
Sir Arthur took Hettie to the other
side of the vessel.
They will have SO much to say to each
other; lovers always have. We will leave
them alone, Hettie."
So they stood side by side, the deathly
pallor Of Leah's face hidden by her veil
A terrible calm had fallen over her. Sht
loved Sir Basil still with her whole heart
she could have knelt down there, anc
have covered his hands with burning
kisses and burning tears. She held them
for a moment in a close grasp, while she
looked into his face for the last time. The
solemn shadow Of eternity lay over her.
Then there came a shout from the sail
ors An was in readiness; those who
were for shore must leave. The moments
wer. numbered; her eyes never left him,
her hand still held his.
II must Co." he said "Good-by, Leah. ~
He bent down and kissed her lips. He
started to find them 50 cold. "GOOdby,'
he repeated. "A pleasant, prosperous
journey, Leah, and a happy return"
.'Good-by, Basil; good-by, my love-" she
said; and the next moment she was look
ing over the waters alone.
He was gone. She felt that she would
never see him again in this world. The
sky, the sea, the white cliffs were whirl
ing round her. She was glad to raise hel
veil and let the sea breeze play upon hel
face. She was free now; she need nc
longer keep up appearances. She mac
looked her last upon him. The long strain
the long tension was ended. The cain
plash of the waves seemed to cool the
fever that had laid waste her life; al
earth and air were no longer burning fire
to her, and she never woke from it unit
che stood in the salon Of the villa a
Mentone, and saw the duchess regarding
her with fearful eyes.
Great heaven" she cried, "this is no
Leah; this is shadow! l thought it wa
Hettie who had been mr.
$50 II was I have not been III, >" saat
a voice which the duchess scarcely recog
pized as Leah's. Il am well; but m,
journey has tired me-"
What can be the matter? What hai
gone wrong in the girls lifeF though
the kindly woman. The only thing tha
she reminds me Of u q flower broker
by a tempest
There was in MentOne a celebrates
English physician, DR.. Evan Grifdths-
skillful, prosperous man, very popula
among the invalids and the English a
Nentone. He lived with his mother in I
pretty little villa. Popular as he was, b
had never married. 1t was said that b
had no time for wooing.
One evening as DR.. Griffith sat alon
in his study the servant announced
younr lady. She had sent no card ant
had given no name, but looked very Ill.
At first the doctor felt annoyed ii
had no liking for mysterious patients, an'
felt it hard that he could not have on
cigar in peace.
tiently.
But his impatience died away when
tall. closely veiled woman came IN ant
stood silently before him.
Che did not speak until the servant ha
,,os.1 tho door; then she raised her ve
90 that he could see her face: and he wa
stortIad by its delicacy and wonderful
beauty. ,,
,s,al time" she said. Il thank yo
much for seeing me. I have a questiG
- osk vou-a question of life or deatf
Will you answer it!
"If I can," said the doctor. "Does
concern yourseifE
YES" she replied.
And then he felt that DEATH ahu hS
life would be the answer, II ne coui
Judge from her face.
CHAPTER XIX.
D- Grifiths placed a chair for HI
beautiful young patient, and. standin
nv the table, waited until she spoke.
"Do people," she said. abruptly eve
die of a broken heart!
II have never known case answer
cd the doctor, though l have nearu ai'
read Of such a thing
..some months SINCE" she said. iooh
ing at him with calm, grave eyes,
was as strong as anyone couio WISH
no I had splendid health and . perfec
Constitution. Now have hardly strengt
to live. and everyone thinks am N dan
ger"
.sThere must be q reason for H.
marked the doctor, quietly.
ssThere IL a reason, which WIN te
ron. and want you to Judge II It vi