The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-12

A stranger, doubtless, meeting them by
chance, would have thought them both
clothing, from the soft crowns of their
clothing. from the soft gowns of their
nlumcd hats to the broad toes of their buff
topboots. was OF the finest, and their
linen and laces exquisite. Yet there was
a difference between the two. for one was
short and Stocky, with broad, large
featured face and awkward carriage;
while the other stood ut ease. erect and
graceful in her unaccustOmed apparel, and
very heautiful-beautiful as few women
are tcday.
The two looked at each other long and
earnestly; and rs the peasant girl read
part of the thought in the eyes of her
mistress she drew Il step nearer. Lady
Stanford, her dark eyes large with grow.
ing doubt and terror, laid her trembling
hand heavily on the other womans arm
"Babette,'' said she, ''Babette-l am
afraid
'.NIilady. there IS still time not to 60"
Lady Stanfords cheek flushed holly, as
she drew her tall figure up to its full
hight.
..Dost think to find coward in my
fathers daughter, GIRL" said she sharply.
Il have a right to be afraid, for | am
weak woman; but l shall go! We know
danger when we see it, we Lesleighs, but
we go to meet it, always, for the sake Of
honor, or-for love. And then besides"
half tercely, what do I lose by going
forth tonight? Nothing A wife whose
husband loved her might well hesitate"
She paused a moment, pressing her cold
hands against her eyes; then she Went
over and stood before a dark-framed
swinging glass.
'.In woman's wear I'm beautiful,
Babette," said she dreamily. Why is my
husband only blind when others see-and
praise? If he had ever spoken one tender
word to me-confided in me-sought my
confidence. He's ice, Barbette, cold ice,
and hard stone, and proud as Lucifer. He
found ME weeping once, for loneliness, and
looked at me and never spoke one word
or tried to comfort me. | go forth to-
night, because I'm wretched, and because
/ love. That makes me strong. But pray
heaven l may not hazard all in vain. l
fear all things-the black night, and the
big world that will stare, and discovery,
and death, perhaps-and yet / go. 1t is
a preef of love. Come, Babette.' she
said, her eyes alight with feyerish eager
ness, "'let us go quickly
Catching up long cloak, she flung it
herself about her shoulders. Then, af-
ter reminding Babette to lock the doors
and put out all the lights, Lady Stanford
ran over to the window.
A moment more, and they We're gone.
The night breeze blew in at the open Win
dow. And the white moon, sailing alOft,
shone in, making square patches of wa
terry light on the dark, polished floor. In
one of these, shameleSsly turning its face
toward the light, lay torn scrap of paper
bearing the words, THE Seven Oaks, at
twelve"
49,
John, sixth Lord of Stanford, was
pacing restlessly up and down the length
of his long library. his brow furrowed,
his eyes bent on the floor He was a
handsome man, tall and well made, with
thick light hair, good features. and deep
Set gray eyes. He looked 40, but he was
10 years younger. A long rapier hung
at his side, its scabbard point ZigZagging
as he walked; and he was booted ard
spurred for ride.
Near the fire a smaller man was sitting,
watching him with some anxiety; but as
Lord Stanford turned to look at him he
smiled.
HAL" said the Englishman, in low,
pleasant voice, that showed none of the
nervousness of his interrupted walk, Il
wonder if this Rutherford knows any more
about what he's fighting me for than l
dor
The younger man pursed up his lips and
laid the tips of his fingers together
ne d uotuedu, Silu he, Iuat pain,
and he imagines you have interfered I'M
fairly in his colonial interests. But it
might easily have been arranged if you
had chosen to be a little more accommo-
dating. my friend''
Lord Stanford shrugged his shoulders
"A fight is as good a pastime as any; it's
m0re-diverting than dice" said he.
Henry st. James looked up questioning
ly, but his friend was seeing pictures in
tho fro This Ura hot
Lord Stanford was very different from the
friend that he had parted from three
years before. He had left a light-hearted
boy, and he had come back that day to
find careworn man.
st. James broke the silence, somewhat
hesitatingly.
Jack" said he, ..if you've a mind to
go to Lady Stanford-if you have any.
thing to say to her in CASE he broke
off awkwardly.
Lord Stanford turned on his friend a
look of some surprise, then he laughed bit
terly.
You are stranger here-I had for.
got" he said.
Il crave your pardon. only
thought
You're quite excusable NY wife and
have furnished diversion for the gossps
for two years; there is no reason why my
old friend should not know. My mar
rage was-not happy
You do not love your wifeT
Lord Stanford wheeled about suddenly
and when ne spoke his voice was low and
I vibrant: do you take me for an iceberg
Hal!' said he. 'Ah, but you've never
seen her"
Listen" he continued, after mo
ments pause, during which the great 10.
broke and fell with a crash into the glow
ing embers. II owe you nv confidence
because you have promised TO be my sec
Ond in this affair tonight, and then for OLD
times sake. It's a short story-and com
mon enough. Wed never met until the
day We were married. She hated me
Jove! if you'd felt her shrink back wher
kissed her there in church-you'd under
stand. It's two years today since then
two years of hell on earth-two year.
that / would not give up, in spite of all
for any other 10. The first year she wa,
cold and proud. pinned for her freedom
half starved herself (they said, and KEEP
indoors; and / was-cold, and kind, an,
kept outside. And then she changed. Sh
went out. There We're balls, receptions
plays. She was more beautiful than
dream and more wonderful than a god
dess; and the blind world envied me-he
husband. tell you, Hal, sometimes whel
would take ner hand to lead her from
the room, or TO her carriage, and tn
angry red would rush up to her cheeks
and she would turn her face away. he
eyes shining like stars with shame an,
anger ut my touch"