Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-05-10
CHAPTER Ix.-(Continued.)


tremulous word of thanks. She did
not beg him to sit by her. as ONCE she
would 90 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
presently, stopping before her in his
short walk to and fro.
Yes. I think SCAT least. stood the
passage out very WELL"
"The captain is rather afraid we are
In for rough seas. There's too much
wind. and he fears storm before
morning"
Il don't think dread 1t much, so
long as there Is no lightning or thun-
der" she answered. DO you?"
az" 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 SILVER, and the awful bit
terness OF this retribution for his sin
seemed greater far than he could bear.
Lille. be merclful, and my devo-
tion to you shall be my atonement"
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 ST.
lence. and he let her go. while flush
of pain and humiliation swept his face.
He knew so 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, ! could not bear you to
be with me yeti could not, could
mott"
Her voice broke in a bitter sob, and
as Don heard II 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 it 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.
DOM" Her sweet voice pierced
that terrible moment Of silence which
followed ON his wild words with an
agony that overwhelmed and stayed
him. Don, what are you saying? Do
you forget our lives are not our own?
We are bought with a price, and one
day we shall have to 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
learn 1t. too. across the sea OF suffer-
ing and self-sacrifice. The yearning
appeal touched him now simply
through the intensity OF her love, and
he stopped short and faced her once
more.
Lille, will agree to part, as you
wish; but ask you, for our own sakes,
for soeiety's sake. to let our wretched
secret be our own. Try to dissemble a
little, IL you can, and keep up the farce
OF our happy marriage" He laughed
little, bitter laugh. when once we
reach England, I promise to leave you
free and never trouble you more; but
IL you humiliate me further here, God
knows my will may give away"
"Oh, my love!" she cried out, pi-
teously. don't speak to me so! 1t
breaks my heart!"
At the endearment he stood a mo-
ment irresolute. then strobe back to
her side and stretched out his
hands.
Lille" he said hoarsely, "it is 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't! We can make no
atonement for sin without sacrifice. My
poor father"
He looked with her. his face witch
ing Win passion.
Then at Southampton we part" he
said.
In speeches. agony she looked
mute animation. And for answer Don
iaughed-the bitter laugh of an over
wrought mind, and hurried out to pre-
pare for the wedding journey. Did ever
bridegroom haste on such mission with
SO heavy heart?
Her lips quivered. II was the first
approach to those other wild words he
had last spoken on her wedding day.
Grief held her silent now. Some in
valid soldiers were joining. the sailors
In the forecastle hunks in lusty sing
ing. and the plaintive words came
floating aft:
We've wandered mony a weary fit
Sintauld lang syne.
Don had stopped over to replace the
wrap that was dropping from her
shoulders, and as his hand for an in
slant came in contact with her neck
she felt II tremble. The sun was going
down in coppery mist of crimson and
gold. II fell aslant Don's face, and she
saw IL was palid and drawn He