Waterbury Democrat., 1901-05-30

IlN M a.
 "Lord Royallteu, acEY look ct me so9'' have been. I was innocent. But in honor must bear the yoke that took on me long ago; in honor can never give you or any living soul the proof that this crime was not mine. thought that I should go to my grave without any ever hearing of the years that I have passed in Africa, without any ever learning the name used to bear. As it is, all can ask is now-to be for gotten"
 'fYou ask what will not be mine to give" she answered him, while great weariness stole through her own words, for she was bewildered and 1 pained and oppressed with a new, strange sense of helplessness before this mans nameless suffering. "Re- member, I knew you so we'll in my earliest years, and you are so dear to the one dearest to me. It will not be possible to forget such a meeting as this. Silence, of cburse, you can com mand from me if you insist on it, but
 'I command nothing from you, but I limplore it. It is the sole mercy you can show. Never, for Gods sake, speak of me to. your brother. or to mine"
 @But why? fall this could be clear ed'-
 'It never can be-" The bafled sense of impotence against the granite wall of some im- movable calamity which she had felt before came on her.
 Lord Royallieu," she said softly at length, while she rose and moved to- ward him. ''Why look at me so?" she pursued ere he could speak. "Act how you will. you cannot change the fact that you are the bearer of your fa- brother Berkeley can never take it legally, You may be a chasseur of the African army, but none the less are | you peer of England"
 s'What matters that?' he muttered. 'sWhy tell me that? I have said am dead. Leave me buried here and let him enjoy what he may, what he can."
 But this is folly, madness"
 'No; it is neither. I have told you I should stand as a felon in the eyes of the English law. I should have no civil rights. The greatest mercy fate can show me is to let me remain for gotten here. It will not be long, most likely, before am thrust into the Af- rican sand to rot like that brave soul out yonder. Berkeley will be the law | ,l 4l. in peace and possession now"
 She stood close beside him and gazed once more full in his eyes, while the sweet, imperious cadence of her voice answered him:
 sThere is more than know of here. Either you are the greatest madman or the most generous man that ever lived. You choose to guard your own secret. I will not seek to persuade it from you. But tell me one thing why do you thus abjure your rights, permit a false charge to rest on you and con- sign yourself forever to this cruel ag- onyf"
 His lips shook under his beard as he answered her:
 Because I can do no less in honor. For Gods sake, do not you tempt mel"
 A quick. deep sigh escaped her as she heard, her face grew very pale, as it had done before, and she moved slightly from him.
 Forgive me-" she said after long pause. "I will never ask you that again."
 Heavy as had been the curse to him of that one hour in which honor had | forbade him to compromise woman's reputation and old tenderness had for bade him to betray 9 brothers sin, he had never paid so heavy q price for his act as that which he paid now.
 Through the yellow sunlight without, over the barren dust strewn plains, in the distance there approached three rid CTS. accompanied by q small escort of spahis She started and turned to him:
 Ut is Philip! He is coming for me from your camp today"
 His eyes strained through the sun glare.
 "Ah, Godl I cannot meet him. I have not strength. You do not know
 q know how well he loved you" '.Not better than I him! But I can not. I dare not. Unless I could meet him as we never shall meet upon earth we must be apart forever. For heav- en's cake promise me never to speak my nane!'
 T promise until you release me-"
 And you c;ln believe me innocent still in face of all?"
 She stretched her hands to him once more. T believe, for know what you once were''
 Great burning tears fell from his eyes upon her hands as he bent over them:
 God bless you! You were an angel of pity 10 me in your childhood. In your womanhood you give me the only mercy have known since the last day you looked upon my face!. We shall be