The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1902-03-08
CHAPTER XL.-(Continued.)

mine, because l, your VIE, nave to
tell you this, and you feel surprised? I
love you; and now that have to leave
you tell you that woman never loved
man, wife never loved husband, more
dearly, more deeply, more devotedly,
than l love you; 1 would have devoted
my life to you; would have died for
you; every beat of my heart, every
thought of my mind, every action was
for you. l love you as Elaine loved
the knight of old when she said:
diev
She drew nearer to him.
II love you as no one else ever will
as no woman has ever loved you-
partly because I could not help loving
you, and partly because l have helped
to awaken the better nature within you.
You maLl live many years, happy, flat
tered, but no love like mine will ever
reach you; the wife you are sending
from you is the dearest and truest
friend you have"
He looked terribly distressed.
why did you not tell me this be-
fore, Hildred?" he asked.
II tell you? How little you know
me- Was it my place to go to the hus
band who neglected me and plead for
his caresses, for his love? I could
have died thousand deaths first. How
little you know me! 1 should not tell
you all this now, but that I know that
in this world perhaps we shall never
meet again. I am speaking to you
across grave. stretch out my hand
my love lies-slain!'
AS she said the words she fell upon
her knees, weeping, sobbing with Bit
ter cries, as though a grave lay there,
and she had fallen upon it.
He was touched He could not tol-
but she was young, beautiful, loving.
Her crime had been committed
through love of him. He raised her
from the ground.
II am very sorry, Hildred," he said;
1T is very sad for both of us. Now
must go at once
She raised her weeping eyes to him.
Must you send me away?' she ask
ed, gently. 1T was wrong. l was mad
with jealous anger, but did not think
| was. Could you not overlook it,
You speak lightly he replied,
sternly. mo, you can never re-enter
my house. l have arranged it all. I
did so when took poor Lady Hamilton
back to the castle. l told our guests
that you had been suddenly sent for
by your father that I had driven you
to the station-and it is to your
fathers house you must go"
Very WE'LL" she said drearily.
You do not seem to understand
he remarked, sharply; do you know
the danger, the peril that hangs over
you?"
She did not, but of what use was it
to say SO?
TRY to collect yourself and under
stand,' he continued; time presses. /
cannot keep them away much longer.
seen. No one must know at what hour
you went. You must go to your
fathers house and wait there. If it
should be needful to send you abroad
l will arrange it,
Have l done so very wrong?" she
murmured. The earl cried out passion
ately:
Heaven give me patience! You
must be mad to ask me such a uues-
ton. One would think you did not
know what wrong meant"
Hildred stood quite still, looking al
most helplessly at him.
You do not seem to realize or to
know what you have done," he said,
hastily.
II do do" she moaned; land there
will be no pardon. I wish that might
fling myself into that lake. I would,
but that there is life to come"
'Hildred," said the earl sternly,
listen to me. have told you that
you must never re-enter my doors: but
you bear my name; and for my names
sake I will shield you The Countess
of Caraven may have done wrong, but
the world must not know it, I must
save you from the consequences of your
mad folly. See-I went quietly to vour
rooms and have brought you these"
He gave her cloak and bonnet with
a thick veil. Il found them in vour
wardrobe. Have you any money!"
NO." she replied, vacantly; none"
He took out his purse and gave it to
her.
II would accompany you," he said.
"but that it would draw suspicion on
you. l must be here to ward it off.
Wrap yourself in this cloak. Hide all
that amber satin.''
With cold. trembling hands she obey
ed. Suddenly she remembered the ru-
bies. She unclasped the necklace and
bracelets.
Take these" she said; and the earl
took them-it was better, he thought,
to humor her. ~ -. XII
Nov you quite understand, Hildred!
You must not 60 near Court Raven