Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-04-25
sY CHARLOTTE N. sRAeMe.
CHAPTER XIV.


Sir Basil walked slowly up the avenue;
he looked tired and paie-not at all like
CAV or eager bridegroom. Shadows In
his eyes told of sleepless nights, of weary
day,, Of sad thoughts. Yet he had in his
maj ner something of the man who has
fought a good fight and has overcome.
He reflected, as he walked between the
long lines of leafess trees, that after all
he was more fortunate than most men.
He had known the rapture of true love,
oven though it had lasted SO short
time.
How well he remembered the first
morning he came to Brentwood, and the
beautiful face shining in the midst of the
pgssion flowers, What a fatal morning
il had been for him. He could recall the
peculiar expression of Leah's face the
first moment her eyes met his; and she
had told him since that in that first mo-
ment she had loved him. How loving
and faithful she had been to him ever
since, How many men would give their
lives for the love she lavished on him
and he was so cold.
81 will make it all up to her. ne
thought; and then through the leaness
trees he saw the terraces and the pretty
balustrate where the great clusters OF
very spot in which he had first seen her;
and unless he was mistaken. she was
there now. Yes, he could see the folds
of a long blass dress on the white stones
of the terrace: he could see one white
hand. living idly on the ledge where the
brown tendrils looked withered and dead.
She was looking toward the house. de
would go to her noiselessly and take her
in his arms. he would kiss her, and say
loving words to her.
One arm was half round her and his
dark, handsome head bent over her be-
fore he perceived that the beautiful
masses Of hair were of gold. Ihe next
moment the fair face seemed to fash into
his own, a cry came from the pale lips,
great shock overwhelmed them.
There was terrible moment Of fear
and pain. of bewilderment and surprise,
followed by a deep silence that was full
of agony. Then, family, from him came
the name ''Hettier'-so tremulously spok-
en- that it was like sigh.
"Hettie," he repeated, ''is it you?"
She shrank back with a little, wailing
cry that seemed to go straight to his
heart.
Could It be Hettie? Was that the gold
en- head which had lain for a few happy
fair. pale face which he had covered
with kisses and tears? Could 1t be the
girl whom he had left by the sea, never
to meet again?
"Is it really HettieT' he said; and he
laid his hand upon hers, as though he
half fancied she would melt into thin
air. 'T cannot trust my own eyes. Speak
one word TO me. Are you really Hettie
Rayr
DO you not know me?" she said. re-
proachfully. "Surely l am Hettie Ray,
Just as surely as am the most miserable
girl in the wide world"
"Hettie, Hettie, what brought you
hereY' He made no attempt to caress
her. He drew back from her, and looked
at her with wild, troubled eyes. What
has brought you here?" he repeated. Il
have tried my best; 1 have fought a
fiercer fight with my heart than any man
ever fought; and now, when l had begun
to hope for peace, you rise from the very
ground, as 1t were, before me. Hettie, in
heavens name, tell me what brings you
hereT'
The face before him was miserable
enough. there was the very anguish of
woe in the blue eyes.
sDo YOU not know" she said, slowly,
"who 1 amT'
lyon are Hettie Ray" he replied.
"Alasl alas!' she cried, wringing her
hands. 81 begin to see now; l begin to
understand. What have l done that
heaven should punish me so? What have
l doneT
"Hettie." he said, gently, 81 do not un-
derstand. What is the matterr
"Who are your she cried. She sbood
before him with her hands clasped, her
pale face raised, hanging, as It were. on
the words that were to fall from his lips.
..Who are your" she repeated. DO not
keep me in suspense. Tell me, quickly.
Still no glimmer Of the truth came TO
him He wondered at the intense anx-
iety of her manner
"I forgot" he said; you never knew
my name. l am Sir BASH Cariton' Oh
Glen"
She repeated the words after him, her
white lips trembling. They brought no
memory to her a,
..Sir Basil Carlton!" she repeated. Il
do not mean that. Who are you? Tell
mo for heavens sake, are you Leah $
6ance? They said that Leah's lover was
coming to-day. Heaven cannot be SO
crralSvou cannot be Leah's fiancee!
II am Leah's lover, my poor darling,
he said, sadly. :.
And she loves you so! Oh, how has it
h.nnened? We were talking about you
the other day-no, this morning. 1t seems
., mo long since she told me about her
ioror and how she loved him. Oh, heav-
on, how II all comes back to me! L told
her such a great love could never De a
banny one; but how little L thought
She paused, and then, after a minute
silence, she looked at him again. YOU
ho
she are Lean . O'e' SAe A~
Won 81, dearly she saru ,ne should die II
She were parted from you. And you
remember you told me that you did not
love her. that it was circumstances sha'
ed to the engagement. And she loves
Won so. oh, hapless Leah! oh. miserable
thrice-wretched me-!
She shrank back against the wltnereo
snrays of the passion flowers. All hei
strength and youth seemed to leave her
har white face and wild eyes were terri
be to see.>
H.f frightened because of her despair
he drew nearer to her.
"Hettfe." he said, what 10 Leah to
ronY Tell me who You are!
.Do you not knowY she said. Have
they not told you"
"rold me whatT he cried. what Is
it?"
sickening sense Of insecurity came e
her. II neither Leah nor Sir Arthur mao
said anything to him what could she say
Was he to know all about her! Ii sht
told him that she was Leah's sister and
that they were both daughters OF Martir
Ray, what would happen!
Her heart grew faint with dread ane
main. She held out her hands to NEE
him with an imploring gesture.