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

In the water
The chain! No, the box Y
q He looked at her in surprise
1T was given me very long ago."
And BY whom r
by a young child, madame."
Her lips parted slightly. The flush on
her checks deepened. The beautiful
face which the Roman sculptor had
said only wanted tenderness to make it
perfect changed. moved. was quickened
with a thousand shadows Of thought.
The box is mine! gave it! And
yon?'
He rose to his feet and stood entranc-
ed before her, breathless and mute.
And your she repeated.
& He was silent still. gazing at her. He
knew her now. How had he been so
blind as never to guess the truth be-
fore. as never to know that those i'm
perial eyes and that diadem of golden
hair could belong alone but to the Wo-
men of one race?
And you?" she cried once more. while
she stretched her hands out to him.
And you - you are Philips friend.
You are BERTHE CecilY'
Silently he bowed his head Not even
for his brothers sake or for sake of his
pledged word could he have lied to her.
But her outstretched hands he would
not see, he would not take. The shad-
oW Of an imputed crime was stretched
between them.
Little QUEEN" he murmured. 1t was
his pet name for her when she was
child. .Ah. God! How could | be so
blind?''
She grew very pale as she sank back
again upon the couch from which she
had risen. II seemed to her as though
thousand years had drifted by since
she had stood beside this man under
the summer leaves of the Stephanien
and he had kissed her childish lips and
thanked her for her loving gift. And
now they had met thus!
They thought that you were dead"
she said at length. while her voice sank
very low. why have you lived like
this?''
He made no answer.
1T was cruel to Philip she went on.
while her voice still shook. Child
though ] was, I remember his passion
Of gginf when the news came that you
had losr your life. He has never for
gotten you. So often now 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 ignorant if you were lost to all the
world beside?'
Still he answered her nothing. The
truth he could not tell. the lie he would
not. She paused, waiting reply. Re
ceiving none, she spoke once more, her
words full of that exquisite softness:
s.Mr. Cecil, i OWNED rightly. l. felt
that in all things save in some acct
dent of position we We're 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"
Leave my life alone. for Gods
saler' he. said passionately. TELL me
of your oWn-tell me, above all, of his.
He loved me. you say? Oh heaven, he
did. better than any creature that ever
breathed save the man whose grave
lies yondei...''
'sHe does so STILL she answered ea-
gerly. Philips is not a heart that for
gets. 1t is a 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 certain awak-,
ening dread shadoWing the blue luster
of her eyes. that were bent so thought
fully, SO searchingly upon him. rs it
possible that you have heard of your
inheritance. of your title and estates.
and that you voluntarily remain sol
der here? Lord Royallieu must yield
them in the instant you prove your
identity, and in that there could be no
difficulty. | remember you well now,
and Philip, am certain. will only need
to see you once to-
5 Hush. for PHYS sake! Have you
never heard-has none ever told YOU
WHAT"
He turned from her so that she could
not see his face.
THAT. when became dead to the
world. ! died with the faint of crime
on me!''
"Of crime?''
3.I was accused of having forged
your brothers name.''
a faint cry escaped her. Her lips
grew white. and her eyes darkened
and dilated.
ccusedi But wrongfully 2"
His breath came and went in quick,
sharp spasms.
Il could not prove that. =
Not prove it? Why?'
T could not. 2
ApI1ilfv ~