The silver star., 1900-05-18


CHAPTER Ix.-<Contmued.)
He fetched camp stool and placed
II for her under the shelter Of the
mainsail, and she took 1t with little
tremulous word Of thanks. She did
not beg him to sit by hep as once she
would 30 naturally have done. and ap-
parently Don dreaded a tete-a-tete
likewise. for he made no offer to
do so.
Are You a good sailor?" he asked
Pre- Y, stopping before her in his
sho ,.alk to and fro.
Yes, I think scat least, stood the
passage out very we'll"
THE captain Is rather afraid we are
m for rough seas. There's too much
wind, and he fears a storm before.
morning"
"T don't think dread It much. so
long as there is no lightning or thun-
DER" she answered. DO your"
"T?" he queried. "Oh. l don't care,
a straw on my own account whatever
happens"
She shivered In his clasp.
"Oh!" she cried. more to herself than
to him. "how could we ever live to-
gether after this?"
He felt her shiver, and the awful Bit
terness Of this retribution for his sin.
seemed greater far than he could bean
Lille. be merciful. and my devo-
tion to you shall be my atonemeut."
He was fighting for his love now as
one to whom the loss Of 1t meant life
itself.
And Lille? Her love and her grief
were tearing her heart asunder. She
withdrew herself from his arms In si--
lence. and he let her go. while flush
Of pain and humiliation swept his face.
He knew 30 we'll then what would come
next.
I'VE must part" came her verdict at
last, In a low and broken whisper.
Some day perhaps may learn to for
get. and will come back to you: but
not yet. Oh, I could not bear you to
be with me yeti could not, I could
not!"
Her voice broke in bitter sob, and
as Don heard 1t the last remnant of
hope died out in his storm-tossed
heart.
II will not be burden to you." he
said. with great bitterness. "A bullet
can end II all and make you free.
Nothing matters now"
There was NO longer passion in his
voice. only the reckless heaviness Of
despair. He turned and walked TO-
wards the doorway. and his firm step
never faltered.
"Don!" Her sweet voice pierced
that terrible moment Of silence which
followed ON his Wild words with an
him. Don, what are you saying? Do
you forget our lives are not our own?
We are bought with . price, and one
day we shall have 10 give account for
what We have done. For We must all
appear before the judgment seat Of
Christ"
All. there was . time when the
thoughtless Lille had been the last to
remember that solemn warning. The
great trouble had brought home to her
Its awful truth. and Don was only to
learn II, too, across the sea Of suffer-
ing and self-sacrince. The ysarning
appeal touched him now simply
through the intensity Of her love. and
be stopped short and faced her once
more.
Lille. I will agree to part. - you
wish; but ask you. for our own sakes.
for society's sake. to let our wrstched
secret be our own. Try to dissemble .
little. II you can. and keep up the farce
OF our happy marriege." He laughed
little. bitter laugh. when once We
reach England. promise to leave you
free and never trouble you more; but
II you humiliate me further here. God
knows my will may give away"
"oh. my Lowell" she cried out, pi-
teously. don't speak to me 80! It
breaks my heart!"
At the sndearment he stood . mo-
ment irresolute. then strods back to
ner side and stretched out his
hands.
Lille" he said hoarseiy. 1T IL mad
ness to talk Of ever parting. We can
not live without each other!"
She put up little hand to stay him
coming nearer.
Don't. don'ti We can make NO
atonement for sin without sacrifice. Ny
poor fathsr-"
He looked with her. his face twitch-
ing with passion. :.
said.
In spssehisss ssoay she looked .
mute Affirmation. And for answer Don
laushed-ths bitter laugh Of an over
wrought mind. and hurried out TO pre-
patc for the wedding Journey. Did ever
oI'oesroom hasts on such mission with
% heavy . hsartf
Her lips quivsred. Il WAS the Arst
approach 10 those other Wild words he
~ iast spoken On her wedding day.
ne! neld her silent now. Some In
ssaa soldiers were joining the sailors
u the torecastlo bunks In luuty sing