Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1901-09-26

CHAPTER TX.

0taA ksit Ia
took care not to reach homo before
the hour when Julia usually went TO bed.
II was quite vain TO think OF sleep that
night. had aoon worked myself np into
that state Of nervous, restless agitation
when one cannot remain quietly In a
room. About one o'clock ! opened my
door as softly as possible aud stole ST.
lently downstairs.
Madam was my favorlte mare, hrst.
rate a. a gallop when she was In good
temper. but apt to turn vicious now and
then. She was ln good temper tonight,
ana prieked up her ears and whlnnied
when | unlocked the stable door. In a
few minutes We were going up the
Grange road at q moderate pace till We
reached the open country.
II was cool. quiet night In May, A
few Of the larger Gxed stars twlnkled
palely In the sky, but tho smaller ones
were drowned In the full moonlight. |
turned on the road 20 get nearer the sea.
aud rode along sandy lanes, with banks
OF turf instead Of hedge rows, whick
were covered thlckly with pale prlmroses
shining with the Same hue as the moon
above them.
Now ana then | came la full sight OF
the sea. glitteglng 10 the sllvcry light. l
! crossed the heaa OF gorge, and stopped
for n while TO sAze down II, til my ncsh
crept. II was not more than few yards
In breadth, but It was OF unknown depth,
and the rocks stood above II with thick,
heavy blacknesA, The tide was rushing
lnt6 It's narrow channel with a thunder
s.,kl.H sHNaAl.l ttts. atttuas La thu
Intervals OF les palsation could catch
the thin. prattliug tlnkle OF brook run
ming merrily down the gorge 10 plunge
headlong into the sea.
As the sun rose Sark looked very near.
and the sea, q plain OF silvery blue, seem
Cd solid and firm enough TO afford me a
road across 10 Il. A white mist lay like
a huge snowdrift In haxy. broad curves
over the Hayre Gosseln, with sharp
peaks OF ellis piercing through. Olivia
was sleeping yonder behind that veil Of
shining mist; and dear as Guernsey was
10 me, she was a hundred-fold dearer.
But my nights ride had not made my
days task any easier for me, No new
light had dawned upon my difficulty.
There was no loophule for me 20 escape
from the most painful and perplexing
strait had ever been in. How was 10
break Il 70 Jullai and when? Il was
quite plain TO me that the sooner Il was
over the better II would be- for myself,
and perhaps the better for her. How
was l 20 so through my mornings callsG
! resolved TO have IL over as soon as
breakfast was finished. Yet when break
fast came | was listening intently for
some summons which would give me an
hours grace from fulfilling my own de-
termination. prolonged my meal, keep
ing my mother In her place at the table;
FOR she had never given up her Office OF
pouring ont my tea and coffee,
| finished at last, and still no urgent
message had come for me. My mother
left us together alone, as her custom
was, for what time had to spare--a va
Eiable quantity always with me.
Now was the dreaded moment. But
how was to beginl Julia was so calm
and unsuspccting In what words could
convey my fatal meaning most gently
to her7 My head throbbed, and could
not raise my eyes to her face. Yet II
must be done,
"Dear julia" said, in as firm voice
as l could command
Eyes, Martin"
But just then Grace, the housemald.
Knocked emphatlcally at the door, and
after due pause entered with a smiling,
significant face, yet with an apologetic
courtesy.
"If you please, DIR. Martin" she said,
"Tm very sorry, but Mrs. Lihou's baby
IL taken with convulsi0n hts; and they
want you to 20 as fast as ever you can.
please, SIR"
Was sorry or gladl could not tell,
Il was a reprieve; but then knew posi-
lively Il was nothing more than re-
prieve. The sentence must be executed.
Julia came to me- bent her cheek towards
me, and kissed It. That was our usual
salutation when our mornings interview
was ended.
II am going down to the new house"
she said. II lost good deal Of time
yesterday, and must make up for 1t
to-day. Shall you be passing BY at any
time, Martin"
''Yes--no--I cannot tell exactly"
stammered.
ar you are passing, come In for a few
minutes" she answered; II have a thou.
sand things to speak to you about"
/ was not overworked that morning
The commissions of Mrs. Lihou's baby
were not at all serious. So had plenty
Of time to call upon Julia at the new
house; but 1 could not summon sufficient
courage. The morning slipped away
whilst l was lettering about Fort George,
and chatting carelessly with the officers
quartered there.
went down reluctantly at length to
the new house; but It was at almost the
last hour Doggedly, but sick at heart
with myself and an the world, went
down to meet my doom.
5 Julia was sitting alone in the drawing
room, which overlooked the harbor and
the group Of islands across the channel.
There was no fear of Interruption, 1t
was an understood thing that at present
only Julia's most intimate friends had
been admitted into our new house, and
then by special invitation alore.
There was very happy, very placid
expression on her face. Every harsh line
seemed softened, and a pleased smile
played about her lips. Her dress was
one Of those simple, fresh, clean muslin
gowns, with knots of ribbon about 1t,
which make plain woman almost pretty,
and pretty woman bewitching.
II am very glad you are come, my dear
Martin" she said softly.
/ dared not daily another moment.
must take my plunge at once into the
Icy-cold waters.
II have something of Importance to say
to you, dear cousin" | began.
/ sat down on the broad window sill,
instead Of on the chair close to hers She
looked up at that, and fixed her eyes up
on me keenly. had often quailed be.