The Banner-Democrat., 1900-06-30
CHAPTER XIX.
SG22SSA

=, CHAPTER XIX.
81 W, go to Miss Lennox's house at
once" lid Beltran to himself, after leav-
Ing his mother. II will not try to meet
her by chance-I will do everything open
IL. l will ask to see her, and then tell
her why l am come"
Fortune favored him. He knocked at
the hall door. and was told that MT.
Lennox hnd Lady Lennox were not at
home-that they were not expected at
home until four-but that Miss Lennox
was disengagcd.
Beatrix sat alone in the superb drawing
room, trying to decide what was best ana
right for her to do. She glanced ilstless.
ly enough Mt the card that the servant
brought in, but when she saw the name
her coldness deserted her; the sweet race
was transformed, her eyes filled with love
'ly light, her lips parted with smile.
She held out both hands to Beltran on
his entrance. His jealous eyes looked
quickly at them--thcre was no engage
ment ring on her finger. Quite silently ne
clasped the outstrctched hands-their
meeting was so sweet, 80 pleasant, ana
1t would be over so soon.
She did not seem to remember that ne
was clasping her hands.
II am very glad to see you back again,
she said. Il was so sorry when you went
away"
II am presumptuous, l know he told
her. 81 cannot help it. have only call
ed to ask you, is it true?' :,
as what trueY' she asked. She had
completely forgotten the paragraph IN the
newspaper, MS she had forgotten every
thing else in her Joy at seeing him again.
'Ts it true that you are about to marry
the Duke of Heathland?" he inquired.
A lovely Ensh rose to her face, her
heart beat fast, but prince Charles
daughter made one last effort in defense
of her maidcnly independence. Il can
not understand why you should ask me
that ouestion. Mr.. Carew," she said, and
that was perhaps the least truthful SEN
tence she had ever uttered.
'sWilI you not sit DOWN. she added.
"And will you not release my hands 2
she was about to say, but something in
his face prevented her. -,
II will not sit down, thank you. will
stand just where l am, holding your
hands in mine, while you pronounce SEN
tence of Punishment upon me-"
The dark eyes filed with pain.
"Sentence Of banishment, MIR. Carew
Nay, you W i'll never hear such sentence
from me-"
"You cannot understand why should
ask you that question" he said. Let mt
tell you-you can but send me angri!
away-it is because / am mad; because
from the first moment that beheld you
face until now have loved you witlfEs1 a. =,
ness. but such madness makes n rfls-fls
life sweet TO him, Beatrix-this once lie
me call you Bcatrix. l have been MAJ
enough TO love you. Dear heaven. IL
could hut tell you how no other face
sweet, has come between me and hcavcl
save yours. Everything speaks OF you
The waves murmur and the brooks SIN
sBeatrix.' ! know no other word; you
name, so sweet, so simple, fills the wori
for me. did not know that lo'eo !o'
never said to myself, She is the 1ai,es
amongst women, and L VIII WIN aer.
drifted rs leaf drifts down the stream
5reeme,l MS n child dreams. I wake
and myself struggling with mans low
a mau's despair. went away while
h,d strength to 60. You are not angr
with me, swcetT :,
at am not angry" she replied. all NJ
conscious of the story that her downca
eyes and dropping face told. all uncol
9ctOuS tHdt Shc stah SeoeN w."
claspcd in his.
"I went nwny because felt that II
.aw Won aga:n must tell you all, and th'
IN telling might lose you. thought TN
when I was far away from you shou
forget you, l would learn to love you les
have studied hard, have worked mar
and have returned quite as mad rs wh'
went away. The first thing saw
my arrival in England was the announc
mont of your betrothal: and l have con
to ask you. is it true?'
EMO" she replied. at Is not true"
The sudden glcam Of happiness in
face startled her.
"Not true! Thank heaven. Oh. be
tr,x. permit me to ask, do you love II
rreat md mighty duke who has SO mu
to offer your
"You do not deserve to know she sal
and his heart grew lighter at the words
"Vhy do nct?" he asked.
"One would think--that is, should i
arlne--" aud then she stopped.
You would imagine what, Bcatrix:
.I ehould think that. IL you had rem
been anxious TO know, you would ha
asked ME instead Of going to Athens
she said.
IT dared not"
.'yhy, Mr.. Cnrcw" she asked. brici
"Why? Because you ale a great nc
ess, n brilliant belle. qdceu OF fashi'
and am poor barrister with no
tune"
"What nonscnsc!' cried Beatrix: and
some vague way, though the words w
rather commonplace, he seemed to hnt
rrcat deal of encouragement in them.
"Nonsense? Nay, it Is hardly that. Il
acted otherwise, II would have been
case of King Cophetua and the begg
mold reversed" =,
ut would have been 10 such THE
che rcjoincd, quickly.
"You have all, Bcat.ix. and l HI
nothipg." he snid. 1T the world "
mine. would lay 1t 1t your feet, wo
riyc you every thing"
"Arc yor the only generous person
existencc:" she asked.
A srdicn passionate fire hemed in
ewes. his lips trenlblei, the strong ma
firbtencd their clasp.