Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-07-17
CHATTER XIII.


AS the evening wore on and the beauti-
ful face OF the young wife grew pale. the
gentlemen did their best to sustain their
courage. Such things often happen, they
said; Sir Hubert might have missed his
way and sought nights refuge in some
of the neighboring villages or mansions;
he might have met with some friend who
had detained him: he might have gone to
spend the night with some of the neigh.
bors, and have sent a messenger who
had delayed; a thousand probable ideas
suggested themselves 10 them, all of
which were possible and probable.
Earlier than usual that evening came
to a close. No one seemed inclined for
the usual evenings amusement, for dane
ing, charades or music. Although they
would not npprehend danger there was
no doubt tina, the absence of Sir Hubert
weighed them down.
The greater part Of the visitors retired
early. The duke, with one of his foot
men, went down to the Keepers cottage
to send the men out to the woods. Lady
Estmere went to her room, where her
maid sat up to comfort her the greater
part Of the night, and the Duchess Of
Bayard went TO rest She had barely
patience to wait while the maid took off
that sumptuOuS dress Of blue velvet, with
its rich, trailing laces, and the diamonds
with their shining light; she hurried her,
and seemed possessed by the very spirit
of impotence.
IL am going to read, Marcia said her
grace; give me the blue dressing goodwin,
and you can CO."
But first she must take the diamond
stars from the queenly head and brush
out the silken shower of golden hair
More than once while that was being
done the duchess asked the question:
What kind OF night is it, Marcia
does the moon shne?'
And each time the maid answered:
"NO, your grace, it is dark yet: but the
clouds are breaking over the MOON"
More than once she started so violent
ly that the golden waves of hair were
almost torn from the girls hand.
did you hear cryE' she would say.
Aud the maids answer was always:
"NO, your grace; it is the wind among
the trees: the wind is high tonight"
At last the door closed and the maid
was gone.
lrceD was alone, and she locked the
door, lest any interruption should come.
She flew rather than walked to the win
dow and opened it quickly; she leaned
half out of it, and bent her golden head
as though she was listening ntently. Just
then the clouds parted, and the moon
shsne ont clear as day. Those silver
beams never fell on any sight more tragic
than the beautiful head and face framed
in roses and passion flowers, bent with
such eager. desperate intent.
| The windows of her room looked to-
ward that part OF the woods where the
living horror lay. She could not take her
! eyes from the group of trees that led to
it. The wind stirred the branches, and
| they were like great arms stretching to
! her, like huge giants Reckoning to her.
| She cried out with terror, and then the
clouds parted still further, and The moon
! shone out clear and bright as day; it was
/ as though a Hood of living, clear silver
had fallen over everything, and she knew
she knew now that light would fall On
| the upturned face, the dark, handsome
face she had loved with such passion
ate love. on the white hands that would
now probably be tearing the grass and
! beating the ground in the widest agony.
The moon would be shining down upon
him: the light lying on mis- face and hair
just as it lay on hers; the wind would
whisper, and moan. and wall; the pure,
pale stars with golden eyes would I've
watching him; the night birds singing
over him; the hares pause in their leap
ings at the terrible sight before them
the bright-eyed squirrels would halt in
solemn wonder as they saw what lay on
the ground.
She shuddercd and trembled as she
thought of it; she stretched out her hands
TO the east, where he lay. Her whole
soul seemed to 20 out to him with a rush
of pain. She clasped her hands as sh,
cried to herself:
Go he continuPdl