The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-06-27


though was, remember his passion
OF srief when the news came that you
had has lost your life. He has never for
gotten you. So oftensnow he will still
speak Of you! He is in your camp.
We are travelling together. He will be
here this evening. What delight it will
give him to know his dearest friend is
living! But why-why have you kept
him him ignorant if you were lost to all the
world beside ~ 41 .s....
Still he answered her nothing. The
truth he could not tell, the lie he would
not. She paused, waiting reply. Re-
ceiying none, she spoke once more, her
words full of that exquisite softness:
'Mr. Cecil, I OWNED rightly. I felt
that in all things save in some acct
dent of position we were equals But
why have you condemned yourself to
this misery? Your life is brave, is no.
bic, but it must be a constant torture
to such as you" III. -, .5.
Leave my life alone, for Gods
sake!' he said passionately. 'sTell me
Of your own-tell me, above all, Of his.
Hezloved me, you say? Oh, heaven, he
did, better than any creature that ever
breathed save the man whose grave
lies yonder!' 49,,
HE does so STILL" she answered ca
gerly. "Philip's is not heart that for
gets 1t is heart Of gold, and the
name of his earliest friend is craven on
it as deeply now as ever. He thinks
you dead. Tonight will be the happiest
hour he has ever known when he shall
meet you here. @
why do you not answer me?" she
pursued, while she leaned nearer with
wonder and doubt and a certain awak-
ening dread shadowing the blue luster
OF her eyes, that were bent so thought
fully, SO searchingly upon him. 'Is it
possible that you have heard Of your
inheritance, Of your title and estates,
and that you voluntarily remain a sol
der here? Lord Royallieu must yield
them in the instant you prove your
identity, and in that there could be nc
difficulty. I remember you we'll now
and Philip, am certain, will only need
to see you once to-
FLUSH, for PHYS sake! Have you
never heard-has none ever told your
"What?"
He turned from her so that she could
not see his face. ~s
''That, when I became dead to the
world, I died with the faint of crime
on me!'
"Of crime?"
II was accused of having forged
your brothers name" -
A faint cry escaped her. Her lips
grew white, and her eyes darkened
and dilated.
Accused! But wrongfully?
His breath came and went in quick
sharp spasms.
4 could not prove that"
"Not prove it? WhyY
II could not"
"But he-Philip-never believed yor
guilty." .~.
II cannot tell. He may. He must"
"But you are not?'
1t was not an Interrogation, but ar
|
clearness of her voice. -> 4. s-... -.
"Ypu are guiltless. whatever circ1m
stance may have arrayed against you
whatever shadow of evil may have
fallen falsely on you. Is it not SOP
His head bowed low over her hands
as he took them. In that moment halt
the bitterness of his doom passed from
him. He had at least her faith. He
lifted his head and looked her full in
the eyes. Her own closed inyolun.
tarily and filled with tears. She felt
that the despair and the patience of
that look would haunt her until her
dying day.
IT was guiltless, but none could
credit it then, none would do so now
Nor can seek to make them. Ask me
no more. Give me your belief if you
can. God knows what precious mercy
it is to me, but leave me to. fulfill my
fate and tell no living creature what I
have told you now"
The great tears stood in her eyes and
blinded her as she heard.
'Tell no one! she echoed. "What!
Not Philip even-not your oldest friend
All, be sure, whatever the evidence
might be against you, his heart never
condemned you for one instant"
II believe it. Yet all you can do for
me, all implore you to do for me, is to
keep silence forever on my name. To-
day accident has made me break a
vow I never thought but to keep sa-
n =EA y \ w