Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-05-22
CHApTER V

I'VE need never part, II you VIII con
sent to one thing, Irene, and that is a
secret marriage. In time we can make
it known, but at first, and for the pres
ent, we must keep it dead secret. What
do you sayT
With these words Sir Hubert announc
ed his decision.
Slowly enough the rose bloom died from
Irenc's face and a white look of pain
came into it, slowly the love-light died
from the beautiful eyes, and the shadow
OF despair took it's place She spoke no
word. but the golden head dropped more
heavily on her lovers breast.
You do not answer me, Irene he
cried.
She broke from the clasp Of his arm
with a little shudder as of cold or pain,
"A secret marriage" she said; that
means unknown to my father or grand
mere. II cannot Sir Hubert; it would
not be right"
He understood the delicacy of her ma
ture far too well to attempt just then TO
argue with her. but in the far distance
he already saw his triumph.
Not right, my darling. | have never
heard that secret marriage was not
right. 1t may not always be wise; but |
will not persuade you; it shall be as you
will; | will not urge you to consent to
anything in the world you thought not
right
She looked at him through mist of
tears.
you know, Sir Hubert" she said
gently, that have not been brought up
quite as other girls. My father has held
but one idea up to me, and it is that one
day | must so to my mother in heaven.
She loved ME so much, yet she hardly
saw me before she died Now. Sir HUI
bert, you are so much wiser, SO much
better than |, will you tell me if could
90 to my mother if | should consent to
secret marriage? Her face, they tell
me, is full of light. but she would turn
it from me. fear she would say, This
is not my baby girl, whom | left so
young; this is girl with a great, dark
secret over her soul; and she would not
love me, would she now, Sir Hulbert?"
For shame and for PHYS sake he should
have fallen on the long grass and buried
his face there. He should have trembled
as he stood there bold, defiant and hand
some. AS it was, the question startled
him with a keen, sharp pain. This dead
| mother in heaven was like an enemy to
| him He did not dare, reckless as he
| was, to answer her. The girl went on
in low, paintive voice.
1T is not long since someone said to
me that where there Is secrecy there is
| guilt If that be true of ordinary mar
riage, what must it be OF secret mar
| riageT'
You are too much OF q philosopher,
Irene, to love very much" he said in
tone OF bitter disappointment. How
! foolish | was to think you would do any
thing in the world for me-"
She answered him only by bitter tears
and sobs. He might have had mercy on
her, she was so young and so fair.
Irene" he said, gently. do not weep
so bitterly. One word at any time will
bring ms 10 your side again; you have
but to say come and l will fly TO YOU.
Perhaps when you have thought it well
over. a secret marriage may not appear
so dreadful to you"
She answered him only by bitter tears,
and something like remorse did come over
him when he saw the beautiful face all
wet with tears; still he said to himself
IL he were to conquer in the end he must
be trm now.
Irene" said Sir Hubert, "et us try,
before we decide, let MS try if We can
live without each other. We need not
part just yet. l can remain at Lord
Arnndale's. 1t is Tuesday now! take a
whole week to think it over, and let us
meet here next Tuesday, just one week
from to-day, to decide whether We shall
part forever or never part more. What
do you say. my darling?"
IL will do anything you WISH" she said
glad of any pretcSt that delayed the fata
parting.
Then 1t shall be so,' he said. Mex
week shall decide 'our fate--neXt Tues
: day. We shall meet here, and II shall
be for veal or cor woe. Forever TO Low,
} each other, or forever to part. Mex
Tuesday, Irene. how shall l live unti
the day comesy'
He kissed the tears from her eyes an,
left her the most miserable and desolat,
r girl under the summer sun.
: The following Tuesday she was at tn
trysting place fully determined to tel
3 him that while she conld not bear to par
t with him, neither could she consent to
secret marriage.
. MY darling" he cried. "how could W
fancy we could ever party
e She chung to him weeping and sobbine
3 The pretty, coquettlsh hat had fallen o.
r the grass, the golden hair lay in rich
shining waves over her shoulders, he
h little white hands chung TO him.
i 81 do not know how have lived" sh
said, with shudder "Sir Hubert, an
l. othRr such week NyOuIi kill me-"