The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1900-08-25
] Ii CHAPTER TX . "a N i, s1


. prospect Of the excursion, that Edward AZ
made a pretext, before going out, TO
eall her into the adjoining sitting
room. How have / forfeited 70 my place ICE
I ii your good graces r. he began, ii IL
3Iayfulness, that was lost in earnest
Aess before he finished his speech.
have tried to persuade myself that your ~ s
sold avoidance Of me for weeks past,
Ind your rejection Of my services W 1l''''
sver 1t is possible for you to dispense EN-
nth them, was, in part, anNun II " l'as7
hncys Of my own, and partly the re-
tult of your absorption in the dear
luty that has demanded your time :Erllt
and thoughts I have begun lately 10
have other fears breads lest ! had I'M y
willingly wounded or disple leased you g Y
Do me the; justice to believe that q: II
his be so, the offense was unconscl-
BUS" 5s.s5. ! I'd .Es 1. Al #.5 81
.eYou have offered none-none what
everr!,s interposed Constance with cold.
smphasis. 81 am sorry my manner has
given rise to such apprehensions."
t*That is not spoken like: the frank
lister of month ago." said Edward,
retaining the hand she would have
withdrawn. ,'<I will not release you
antil you tell me what lis the shadow
apon the affection that was to me more
lear than any other. friendship, and,
which dared hope was much to you.
Be, for one instant, yourself, and tell
ne ALL a)ss4-s H..l+5.s, K e%5r> Z s::t,.. ~
She was very pale, but, in despera-
hon, she tried to laugh. 'You must
hot call me to account for my looks
and actions nowadays, Edward. l think
sometimes that I am not quite sane.
I have gone through much suffering;
been the prey Of imaginings that al
most deprived me Of reason, besides
enduring the real and present trial.
And heaven knows how unready was
tor it allp' E%S s. ~ 't%<
V zone word, my dear girl, and my in
tuisition is over. Assure me honestly
and without fear of wounding me, have
Tou ever, in your most secret thought,
blamed me for the casualty which so
aearly widowed you? I did try, asyou
tan bear me witness, to, dissuade him;
whom we both love from the expert
ment that cost him so#dear. The idea
that you may have doubted this has
panied me inexpressibly."' g.. Z. y: = -
+ Dismiss the suspicion at once and
torever!" Constance looked steadily
into his face and spoke calmly. II tThe
thought has never entered my mind.
I blame no one for my trouble except
ing myself!' s<= VI ....2s5s,. ....a.
q Before she could divine his purp ose,
Edward had put his arm over her;
shoulder and pressed his lips to hers.
sLet bygones be bygones!" he said,
brightly and fond1y. we have too
much to live and to hope for to waste
! time in nursing unhealthy surmises
and fears -~s..,. '.sf~,.,s.,. -.
ooh" The sharp little intersection
leading into the hall, where Miss Field
was dicovered in a fine attitude of bash
tul apology, family favored with prud-
ish CONSERVATION. II did not dream
Fou were here. I. was on my way to-
my Cousins room!" she continued, in
I prodigious flutter of ringlets = and
shoulders. ~"I beg a million pardons,
[ am sure" %L~..- - AZ
You need not beg oneY' said the
nndaunted Edward, without releasing,
Constance. Connie and I have been
tettling a trivial misunderstanding in
good .boy-and-girl style-haves just
kissed and made up and we now mean
10 be better friends than ever" Nh )
tEIel he! you are excessively candid,
to be sure" Uttered Harriet. but"
shaking her black curls Mrs. With
ers knows men and human nature too
well to believe quite all you say. We
must not forget my dear madam,
that men were deceiversaever.', -, i. ..,,..
s You speak feelingly,",, said Edward,
sarelessly, following Constance With his
eye, as she moved silently toward her
husbands chamber. \ shall caution
the lady Of my love should the gods
ever bestoW one upon e. OF to sip OF
the bitter waters Of your .Wisd on, l. = . q
III Had he seen the glitter Of the round,
black orbs that pursued his retiring
figure, he might have made ia more
thoughtful exit, his run down the stairs
been less swift i, the air he shummed, as
he went, less gay ...5 g35 t,,5.; i 2.5s8
sss He had a pleasant drive; Cons lance
an hour of mingled sweet and bitter
ness. It was difficult to bear her part
In the apparent renewal of the familiar
intercourse Of other days, without re-
taxing the: severe guard she had set
apon herself from the moment she dis
covered the true nature OF the senti-
ment she entertained for her husbands
brother. She could not help delight
Ing in his. society, il the manifold
proofs of loving concern for her com
Tort and happ Of which she was the
recipient. Get. underly Ing this secret
and fleeing Joy, was the ssev lent
shame that marked her remembrance
%,f her guilty Wea kness,, and the despair
Ing knowledge that remorse. du ty and
resolve had thus far awaited nothing
ito conquer it.
She looked jaded rather than refresh
ed BON her return, although she had
ssrurtailed the ride IN oppos ion to Ed
ward ia allyice it'd 1rnhe Hi I1s