Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-07-20
CHAPTER X.-(Continued.)

eOOm, Wnere tne moon tnut nau ShoHe
upon me In my last nights ride, was
cleaning brightly through the window.
I intended to reflect and deliberate. but
was worn out. flung myself down on
the bed, but could not have remained
awake for single moment. fell into
deep sleep, which lasted till morning.
When nwokc my poor mother was
sitting beside me, looking very III and
sorrowful. She had slipped a pillow I'm
der my head, and thrown shawl across
me. I got up with a bcwildered brain,
and a general sense Of calamity, which
I could not clearly define.
captain Carey's man brought letter
from Julia just now" she said. taking 1t
from her pocket; ''he said there was no
answer"
Her eyelids were still red from weep
ing, and her voice faltered as IL she
might break out into sobs any moment.
As soon as my mother was gone
opened Julia's letter. It began:
"My Dear Martini know NIL now.
Johanna has told me. When you spoke
to me so hurriedly and unexpectedly. this
afternoon, l could not bear to hear an.
other word. But now I am calm, and
can think Il air over quite quietly.
ut Is an infatuation, Martin. Johanna
says so as well as I, and she Is never
wrong. 1t Is a sheer impossibility that
you, In your sober senses. should love
a strange person, whose very name you
do not know. A Dobree could not make
nm adventures his wife. Then you have
seen so little Of her. Three times, since
the week you were there In March! What
Il that compared to the years WE have
spent together? 1t Is impossible that In
your heart Of hearts you should love her
more than me.
II cannot give up the thought Of our
home, just finished and 80 pretty. II
was 80 pleasant this afternoon, before
sou came In with your dreadful thunder.
bolt. was thinking what good wife l
would be to you; and how, In my own
house, I should never be tempted into
those tiresome tempers you have seen In
me sometimes. You could not know how
much I love you, how my life Is bound
up In you, or you would have been proof
against that person In Sark.
II think It right to tell you all this
now, though It IL not In my nature to
make professions and demonstrations OF
my love. Think of me, Of yourself, Of
your poor mother. You were never self
ish. and you can do noble things. ! dc
not say 1t would be noble to marry me;
but II would be noble thing to conquer
an ignOble love. How could Martin DO.
bree fall In love with an unknown adven.
turess?
II shall remain In the house all day to.
morrow, and II you can come to see me,
feeling that this has been dream Of
folly from which you have awakened.
will not ask you to own 1t. That you
come at all will be sign to me that
you wish II forgotten and blotted out be-
tween Us, rs II It had never been.
with true, deep love for you, Martin,
believe me still
"Your alfectionate
JULIA"
pondered over Julia's letter N !
dressed. There was not wori Of re-
sentiment In II. 1t was full OF affection.
ate thought for us ALL But what rea.
soning! had not known Olivia no long
as I had known her. therefore could
not love her as truly!
There was no longer any hesitation In
my mind as to what must do. Julia
knew all now. had told her distinctly
Of my love for Olivia, and she would not
believe It. She appeared wishful to hold
me to my engagement In spite OF It; AT
any rate, SO l interpreted her letter.
did not suppose that should not live 1,
down, this infatuation, as they chose "a
call It. l might hunger and thirst. an
be on the point Of perishing; then my
nature would turn to other nutriment
and assimilate II to Its contracted and
stultifed capacities.
went mechanically through the rout
Inc of my mornings work, and II was
late In the afternoon before ] could gel
away to ride to the Vale. My mother
knew where was going, and gaxed wist.
fully Into my face, but without otherwise
asking me any questions. At the last
moment, as l touched Mndam's bride.
looked down at her standing ON the door,
step. "Cheer up. mothcr" I said, al
most gaily, ut will all come right"
found Julia standing by the fireplace
and leaning against 1t, as IL she could
not stand alone. When ! went up Il
her and took her hand. she flung her arms
around my neck, and chung TO me. In Il
passion Of tears. 1t was some minute,
before she could recover her self.com
mand. had never seen her abandon
herself to such a paroxysm before.
Julia, my poor girl" I said. II did moi
think you would take It 30 much to hear
as this"
II shall come all right directly" sh.
s0bbed, sitting down, aud trembling from
head to foot. Johanna said you would
come, but was not sure"
Eyes, ] am here" answered, with q
very dreary feeling about me.
"rhat In enough" said Julia; "yor
need not say a word more. Let us forge,
It, both Of us. You will only give mn
your promise never to see her or speak I,
her again."
"Olivia quite understands about my en-
gagement to YOU" I said. ~ told her a,
once that We were going to be married
and that hoped she would find frient
In you."
"a friend In me, Martin" she exclaim
Cd, In tone OF indignant surprise; "yo,
could not ask me to be thatw
"NOt now, l suppose" l replied: 18th,
girl Is as innocent and blameless as an,
girl living; but ! dare say you woult
sooner befriend the most goOd-for -nothin,
Jezebel In the Channel Islands,"
Eyes. ! would" she said. IAN limo
cent girl indeed! l only wish she hat
been Killed when she fell from the cliff.
''Hush" cried, shuddering at the barr
mention Of Olivia's death; you do no
know what you say. 1t IL worse thar
useless to talk about her. l came to asl
you to think no more Of what passed be
tween US yesterday"
'But you are going to persist In you
infatuation," said Julia; "you can neve
deceive me. know you too well. oh,