Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-03-01


intend to distress you so; look up, dar.
ling. .love you better than all the
world besides; but you are not my wife,"
Whittier still grew the fair young face
and the burning lips. more deadly still
| eyes. The very energy Of despair came
| to her: she stretched out her arms to him
with a pleading cry.
you do not mean 1t. Hubert" she
cried. you cannot mean 1t; you are
testing with me; but 1t Is such bitter
Jest; there is no man living who could
be SO cruel"
She raised her miserable face to his as
| she asked him:
"Now tell me the truth; no matter how
hard, how bitter 1t may be. From the
first hour you saw me did you mean this
to be!-was 1t planned in your mindT'
II am afraid, if you press me. | must
say yes" he replied. IL am ashamed
of 1t now. Irene; but then 1t seemed 50
little HARM"
Did no impulse ever come to you to
pause, to plead for me. to save me. to
| incline you to go on your way and leave
me in pcacew
lie bowed his head before her. remem-
| bcring how many such good thoughts had
come to him.
There is a reason for It. Irene." he
said.
"Will you tell me what that reason ISL"
| she asked.
lie was silent for a few minutes think
ing deeply; then he answered her:
"Yes, | will tell you the whole truth,
Irene. or course you can. In u certain
| fashion, ruin me by betraying me; but
| you will not. II you do. you must. You
Will not, you are too true and too loyal
for that; but I will tell you the truth,
Irene.'
She covered her face with her hands as
| the bitter words fell on her ears: words
that burned her as with red-hot flame.
IL ought to have told you before; but l
was afraid that ! should lose you. l
could not make you my wife for this
| reason"
He spoke slowly, and the words were
long In coming; they seemed to die In
hot gasps on his lips.
ut was not all my fault, Irene; my dcs.
| tiny was, after fashion. settled for me.
While I was quite a boy my father ar.
ranged that l should marry Lady Lira
| Gernnt-while we were both children
that compact was made. Earl Gcrant Is
a powerful man, great statesman; his
name Is a power In the land; and ] can.
not break the contract. When | left
Oxford Lord Gcrant sought me out one
day"
"'Sir Hubert. he said, 4 want to talk
to you about this contract made years
ngO by your father aud myself. I want
Lady I.ira to have few years In the
world before her fate In life Is fixed. She
Is eighteen now; let nothing be said Of
the contract or the marriage Until she Is
| twenty
II assured him that his wish should be
complied with. lie went on:
"'You will wonder, Sir Hubert, why
! have sought you out to say this. You
bear q name as proud as my own-the
Estmcres Of the Mere are second t. none
In the land. I will tell you why ! seek
you Us u husband for my only child.
have no son to succeed me; my whole life
Ii devoted to politics AMI to statesman.
ship. ! have worked as few men work,
and I dislike to think that when ! lie
down to die there will be no one to carry
| on my work. l have mapped out line
| Of politics which. In few years, would
the labor and the thought Of lifetime to
1t. and I dislike to think that when ]
die there will bc no one to take II up,
TO think Of It or to make 1t succeed. lf
] had been blessed with a son I should
have trained him to take my place. You
are ambitious. are you not, Sir Hubert"
II told him yes; that II would be
pleasure to me to serve my country.
Then take to me sons place. hr
said. You are young yet; ! will give
you three years to enjoy life-to 20
about, to seek your gaycties and your
pleasures as you will. During that time
come to see US when you will; call on
Lady Lira. go out with her at times. but
let there be no word Of the contract he.
tween her aud yOu-or you and myself
80 we parted, Irene-I knowing that I
had but a short time for enjoyment, and
that the rest Of my life must DO given
to hard work. Aud though I have seem.
ed to like idleness. and have enjoyed to
their utmost, all gayeties and pleasures,
yet I lind myself looking forward to the
time when my life will be great and no.
ble."
Great and noble" she cried. with
the stain Of your disgrace Oh your hands.
how can you be. great aud noble? You
are meaner thah the meanest-smaller
than the smallest-for you have done the
meanest deed"
But II there no excuse for me. Irene
none? ] was content enough with my
life until I saw you. The prospect OF
marrying Lady Lira Gerant, the most
beautiful woman and the richest heiress
In England. was pleasant enough until I,
saw you. Mind. was never In raptures
over 1t; but ] saw a most brilliant fu.
ture waiting me-such as falls to the
lot Of few. When I met you-oh. Irene.
believe me. with all my faults believe mo
when ! met You ! knew the FIRST pas.
sionate love Of my life; and. my darling,
II have been selfish. forgive me. can.
not give you up!'
He tried to clasp her 10 his arms. but
she withdrew Indignantly.
Cr0 be cOntinued.)