The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1901-08-28

80 e..
Lord Royotlieu. aChy look at nue. so?"
cred. When you recognized me, could
not deny myself | could not lie to you.
But for Gods sake tell none of what
has passed between us!'
But why" she pursued. why? You
lie under this charge still-you cannot
disprove it. you say. But why not
come out before the world and state to-
all what you swear now to me and
claim your right to bear your fathers
honors? If you were falsely accused.
there must have been some one guilty
in your stead, and if
"Cease, for PHYS sake! Forget
over told you | was guiltIess; blot my
memory out; think of me as dead, as I
have been. 1 was innocent. But in
honor l. must bear the yoke that [ tool1
on me long ago; in honor | can never
give you or any living soul the proof
that this crime was not mine. | thought
that | should go to my grave without
any ever hearing Of the years that L
have passed in Africa, without any
AS it is, all can ask is now-to be for
gotten
You ask what will not be mine to
gpse." she answered him, while great:
WEAKNESS stole through her OWE
words, for she was beWildered and
panied and oppressed with a new,
strange sense of he.plessness before
memBe., knew you so we'll in my
earliest years. and you are SO dear to
the one dearest to me. 1t will not be
possible to forget such q meeting as
this. Silence. Of course, you can COM
mand from me if you insist on it,
but
II command nothing from you, but
implore it. It is the sole mercy you
can show. Never. for Gods sake,
speak of me to your brother or to
mine"
But why? If all this could be clear
ed'-
1T never can be- ~~c7+
& The baffied sense of impotence
against the granite wall of some i'm
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 500" she
pursued ere he could speak. "Act how
you will. yon cannot change the fact:
that you are the bearer Of your fa-
theirs title. So long as you live your
Ir,4 -pl<, ~.
legally. You may be chasseur of the
African army. but none the less are
you a peer of England"
What matters that?" he muttered.
"Why tell me that? have said am
dead. Leave me buried here and let
him enjoy what he may, what he cam
But this is folly. Madness
No; it is neither. have told you
/ should stand as a felon in the eyes
of the English law. should have no
civil rights The greatest mercy fate
can show me is to let me remain for
gotten here. 1t will not be long most
likely. before am thrust into the At
rican sand to rot like that brave SIOUX
out yonder. Berkeley will be the law
full holder of the title then. Leave him
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:
There is more than know of here.
Either you are the greatest mailman
or the most generous man that ever
lived. You choose to guard your own
secret. will not seek to persuade it
from you. But tell me one thing-why
do you thus abjure your rights. permit
q false charge TO rest on you and con-
sign yourself forever to this cruel ag.
ony 2?
His lips shook under his beard as he
answered her:
Because | can do no less in honor.
s For Gods sake, do not you tempt me!''
A quick, deep sigh escaped her as
she heard, her face grew very pale. as
1T had done before, and she moved
slightly from him.
Forgive me-" she said after a long
pause. will never ask you that
again.
Heavy as had been tile curse to him
of that one hour IN which honor had