Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-07-10

NIODls N1t WIS Dlbbhluk hiN"JN W.
one and the same thing-her vengeance,
and the shape it would take
There came one beautiful dny in Sep
TENDER, n day that the Duchess OF Bay
ard never forgot. shooting party to
burton Chase had been arranged, and
the gentlemen were both eager and anN'
ious over IT, But 90 the morning Lady
Bstmere was not quite well-she had a,
fainting fit; not serious or alarming, but
Sir Hubert would not leave her. In
vain she prayed Of him to go, and not
10 debar himcelf OF days pleasure for,
her trhing indispositiOn; Sir Hubert
would not go. at would be Of no use,
Lira," he said, 81 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 so
much"
81 am very glad you do, Hubert; but,
believe me, | am quite AS well as l was
yesterday. You see, Hubert, that cluster
Of trees over there, the silver beechesT
ayes, see them, Lira," he answered.
II could go now" she continued, in
tone that was like music, land place my
hand on the very spot | stood, when the
first rush of love filled my heart for you,
Hubert ] remember it so WE'LL you
stood leaning against birch tree, your
head bare and the wind playing among
your bonny curs. 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.
IL will not be interrupted in that fash
ion, Hubert" laughed Lady Estmere;
how can speak il you stop my lips
with kissesY
my darling" he murmured, 81 have
never deserved such love as yours"
why not, Hulbert?" she asked, visit
fully.
81 cannot tell you. The lives OF men
are not az the lives Of women. BY your
side | feel as black vulture must feel
near spotless dove"
But, Hubert" said the sweet, wist-
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, "Yes. in my
youth had mad love for a girl, and
did her a great wrong" she would have
been inclined to mercy, but the answer
came:
mo; l had fancies, as / told you be-
fore, vain, foolish fancies, but l have
never loved any human being truly, my
wife, until | loved you"
IL, l.,
red; the trees and flowers, the fountains
and the distant woods, all trembled be-
fore Irene; rush of roaring waters
filed her ears; she dropped the book, it
fell in the soft, green grass; she started
from her seat viva 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 stif1e her. 1t was we'll
that she did not hear what else passed
! between thcm-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 couple OF hours, at least"
81 will go, If you wish it," he said: Il
will go after them to Durnton; l will
start just before noon"
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.
Hc went through the grounds whistling
and singing as he went, his heart warm
with love for the beautiful wife who low
ed him so well. He came to the beach
trees, and smiled as he thought of hei
loving words. The blue heavens seem
ed to smile, the sunlight smiled, and he
wished, with all 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 blu,
dress, the dress he had seen that morn
ing worn by the Duchess of Bayard
What was she doing there among tn,
trees, away from everyone, and quit
alone? he wondered, with more than
touch OF anxiety. Was she unhappy
Had she come there to weep away he
SORROW? His heart went out to her; n
remembered her fashion of wandering
alone, il ever any little cloud came be
tween them.
Poor Irene" he murmured; "althouS'
she is a wealthy aud beautiful youn
duchess, poor Irene"
A strong impulse came to him to d
what he had never done before-to be
: her pardon for the wrong he had don
her, In that moment he forgot her voN
: OF vengeance; he forgot the reveng
which she had always threatened hir
with; he forgot everything except, hoy
7 young and fair and innocent she wa
when he found her by the brookside, an
A despairing when she had left him d
Beechgrove. He was supremely happ
i in the love of his wife, and his hear
d went out to her in pity. He longed ths
!. she should forgive him; he longed fc
a her pardon; IL he had that he should b