Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-07-27

tered a strange sound. the gun dropped
from his hand. and he fell back on
the grassy knoll. When reached him
he was dead"
With little cry Biuebell folded her
arms about her lovers neck.
oh. Adair. thank God. thank God.
you were saved"
For few minutes Rothes did not
speak. His strong mouth quivered
little. Al last he said:
Now comes the strange news I have
for you. Bluebsli. Papers were found
upon Gerald Moore. and the oficer into
whose hands they feil-the general.
Bluebell- sent for me. He knows me
personally. and knows what you are
to me. Those papers AFFECT you. and
you only"
"Adsir. what can you mean?" she
asked. In startled surprise.
Adair took her hand In his, and held
II for moment without speaking.
"a barrier has risen up between you
and me. Biuebeli-a barrier ouch as
never dreamt of. ! am poor man
You are an heIress.'
She uttered an incredulous exclama~
tion.
ut Is true. Biuebeli. Now we have
the real reason OF Moore's determine
ton to marry you. He had seen an nd-
vsrtIsement In an English paper. gone
home. learned everything. and came
here with his mind firmly made MP n
to his own course. As you know. your
father always declared he had been
done out OF Tininyerstock. His cousin
has had II In his possession for fifteer
years. Maurice Leslie had three sons
Your father never hoped to come into
the property: but. by n strange fatal
ity. thes. sons have all died since
Maurice Leslie. on whose mind II al
ways prcycd that he had cheated your
father out OF his inheritance. has made
you his heircss. You-not your IA
thrr.-'
"oh. AdaIr!" The girl elung to HIM.
her arms claspcd round his neck. u
do no, wish TO be an hcircss. am
happier a. I am"
''it seems" said Rothes. that your
fathers cousin died few months ago.
The lawyers are now searching for
you. You must write to them. Blue
bell. And I have been thinking. dear.
you and Miss Elizabeth are safer out
of the country Just now. We must get
you to Durham. thence to Scotland"
She uttered a little cry, her face
dcathly white.
"Adair. You wish 10 get rid OF me.
then. oh. and I thought thought
you loved mel"
He ciasped her close. covering the
sweet face with passionate kisses.
My own darling! But. Blucbell. do
you think I am so selfish as to wish
to keep you here during this dark time
that Is coming upon us. when you
might be living In luxury and safety
at homc:"
And you In danger. doing your duty
hcrc-" she half sobbcd. 'Adair. ara
you to have all the unscihshncss and
none! No. dear. shall not go.
have made up my mind"
They were married. The brides IA
thcr had been but month in his lone
Is grave. and they were themselves In
the midst of that dark tragedy which
had not then ended. But human love.
next to divine. can tighten the dark
es, sorrows and the most terrible sur
roundings.
You are not afraid" he said. as.
having bade farewell TO the weeping
Miss Elizabeth. who had agreed to go
meantime to Mnritzburg. he led his
wife into the pretty little house that
was beginning to look desolate and
deserted In the forsaken town.
She raised her sweet face TO his.
Her eyes were full Of tcarx. but they
had n smile In their depths.
II am sad at parting with poor
auntie." she whispered. But am
glad, so glad. to be beside you. Adair.
and am not afraid with you, dear.
Why should l be. We are together.
and God is all over. and He can take
care of us in the future rs He has In
the past"
(The end.)