Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1902-07-10

HURT there was something no one under
stood. She was brOoding always owe
one and che same thing--her vengeance
and the shape it would take
There came one beautiful day in Sep
TENDER, a day that the Duchess of Bay
ard never forgot. A shooting party t.
burton Chase had been arranged, AM
the gentlemen were both eager and anX
ious over it. But on the morning Lady
Estmere was not quite well-she had
fainting fit; not serious or alarming, but
Sir Hubert would not leave her. In
vain she prayed of him to 60, and MOI
to debar himself of a days pleasure foI
her trifing indispositiOn; Sir Hubert
would not 90. 1T would be Of no use,
Lira," he said, Il should not enjoy my
self. The thought of your pale face
would never leave me all day long. You
should not have made me love you sc
much"
Il am very glad you do, Hubert; but,
believe me, | am quite as we'll as l was
yesterday. You see, Hubert, that cluster
of trees over there, the silver ~beeches"
Eyes, | see them, Lira," he answered.
IL could go now," she continued, in a
tone that was like music. land place my
hand on the very spot l stood, when the
first rush of love filed my heart for you,
Hubert. | remember it so well; you
stood leaning against a birch tree, your
head bare, and the wind playing among
your bonny curls. My darling, you know
| liked you when We were married, but
| did not love you it was an open ques-
ton, as you will remember, whether l
was to love you or not"
There were a few moments of silence,
and irene. who sat listening unavoidably
just outside the window, knew well how
they were filled up.
II will not be interrupted in that fash
ion, Hubert" laughed Lady Estmere;
chow can / speak if you stop my lips
with kisses"
MY darling" he %murmured, 81 have
never deserved such love as yours"
why not, Hulbert?' she asked, visit
fully.
Il cannot tell you. The lives Of men
are not as the lives of women. BY your
side l feel AS a black vulture must feel
near a spotless dove"
but, I1ulDeIL SdIu Tie sweet, Wis.,
full voice, you have never loved anyone
except me-"
In the golden sunlight and fragrant
silence. the duchess found herself listen
ing, with her heart on her lips, for the
answer. If he had said, Eyes, in my
youth | had a mad love for a girl, and
did her a great wrong" she would have
been inclined to mercy, but the answer
came:
NO; l had ~fancies, as l told you be-
fore, vain, foolish ~fancies, but l have
never loved any human being truly, my
wife. until l loved you"
The blue sky seemed suddenly to grow
red; the trees and flowers, the fountains
and the distant woods, all trembled be-
fore Irene; a rush of roaring waters
filled her ears; she dropped the book, it
fell in the soft, green grass; she started
from her seat Wv a low moan.
She would not go back to the house,
because in doing so she must pass the
window where they stood, his arm round
the graceful figure, the fair face bent on
his breast. She could not pass them by;
it was not that she loved him, but that
her whole soul was fired by that one
word. fancy
She went down the terrace and crossed
the flower gardens; from there she went
through the woods; the thought of being
indoors seemed TO stifle her. 1t was we'll
that she did not hear what else passed
between them-the caressing words, the
endearmentS.
Il shall not let you remain indoors all
day with me- said Lady Estmere. If
you wish to please me, you will go out
for a couple Of hours. at least"
Il will go. if you wish it," he said; Il
will go after them to Durnton; l will
start just before ICON"
Before he left her he bent down and
kissed the beautiful face.
Heaven bless you, my dearest wife"
he said. and wondered at the solemnity
of his own words.
He went through the grounds whistIins
and singing as he went. his heart warm
with love for the beautiful wife who low
ed him so we'll. He came to the beach
trees, and smiled as he thought of her
loving words. The blue heavens SEEM
ed to smile, the sunlight smiled, and be
wished. with ali the fervor OF his heart,
that he had always been a good man.
As the wish grew in his heart he saw,
away in the trees. the glimmer of a blue
dress. the dress he had seen that morn
ing worn by the Duchess of Bayard.
What was she doing there among the
trees, away from everyone, and quite
he wondered, with more than a
of anxiety. Was she unhappy?
Had she come there to weep away her
His heart went out to her; he
remembered her fashion of wandering
alone. if ever any little cloud came be-
tween them.
Poor Irene" he murmured; "althoush
she is a wealthy and beautiful young
duchess, poor Irene"
A strong impulse came to him to do
what he had never done before-to beg
her pardon for the wrong he had lone
Ter. In that moment he forgot her VOW
IF vengeance; he forgot the revenge
she had always threatened him
he forgot everything except, how
goung and fair and innocent she was
he found her by the brookside. and
lespairing when she had left him at
8eechgrove. He was supremacy happy
n the love of his wife. and his heart
vent out to her in pity. He longed that
;he should forgive him: he longed for
Ter pardon: if he hal that, he should be
ppct cop-oinlu fhn t,ppinS+ ~ -, thu