Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-05-22
CHAPTER III.


remember anything else except that she
was to see Sir Hubert every day and
peeiug him had grown denrer than HE
60 her She made no positive appoint
ments with him, she never said. Il shall
be- by the brooksde AZ such an hour;
but II was understood between them.
Irene rose early that every duty might
be performed. that no one would be able
10 say she neglected anything. Every
thing intrusted to her was most care
fully attended to, in order that she might
have more time for herself; and so IT
came to pass that in the early morning,
before the others were awake, she spent
long. happy hours by the brooksde with
Sir Hubert. then FASTENED home, wait
ed on her father with such loving atten-
zion, and was so thoroughly kind to Mrs.
Cotrel that they could see no flaw in her
T'hen in the long sunset hours she was
free again; and no one ever asked where
she went or what she did The artist was
in his stadio, the mistress OF the house
resting, as old age loves to rest There
was no one to hold out hand to save
her
4 Sir Hubert accustomed her to his pres
ence as the flowers grew accustomed TO
the sunlight; ii had become necessity
20 her before she realized 1t. She might
never have understood how 1t became
Dart of her life but for his absence dur
ing one day. The sun was setting, and
the waters of the pretty brook were crmf
son in the red glow Of the SUM- They
were sitting under the dropping boughs
OF the willow tree; and he, looking up
FROM the pages of the book, said:
This time tomorrow evening | shall
he in London"
He knew, for the first time how much
she cared for him when he saw the love
Nv young face grow white as death and
Che shadow of unuperable pain dim the
bright, sweet eyes.
I'm London?" she repeated. Are you
going awayW
''Only for day." he FASTENED to reply.
~ could not remain longer If ! would"
81 shall not see you all day. thcn?' she
said, plaintively.
alt is rather who will not see you"
he replied. "rhe day will seem longer
10 ME than it possibly can to you"
Il am not sure" she said, gravely
T'Yon will have thousand distractions.
shall have nothing to do but think"
! what shall you think Of, lreneT he
asked, gently. Her fair young face droop-
I'D from his as she answered;
you know that | will think of you"
And the silence that fell upon them
both was far more eloquent than words.
8 When the sun rose on the morrow she
Iealized all that he had become to her
The bright sun shone in vain, and ia
vain did the birds sing; her heart was
Tao "a I;..l,. IL,
eyes, no spring in her step, no singing
over her work as she went through her
duties; no delight in hurrying to the
brookside; all life seemed blank and
dreary.
What is the matter this morning,
lrene?" asked Mrs, Cotrel. You seem
80 have lost all life"
What is the matter. lrene?" asked
Ihe artist. why, child, all the bright
ness has gone from your face; what ails
yonY"
~What is the matter with Irene to-
dayT asked the old servant, Jacqueline.
These jellies will not set, and the cakes
will not rise; nothing seems right that
she does"
Alb! what allied her? that she, so light
of heart, so brilliant, so beautiful, had
no w0rds--no smiles.
What ails me?' she asked herself;
and her heart gave her no answer.
Without him she was like flower
without sun to warm or rain to nourish
Ct He had become part of her life--the
best part of it--and what she could do
she could not tell.
On the morrow they stood together in
the clear morning light, each one chang
ed. lie read in her face that the time
had come in which he might safely say
that he loved her. And she knew that
che had learned with her whole heart to
love him.
Ibid you miss me, Irene" he said
booking with passionate eyes into the
lovely, dropping face, Tell me. Do no,
be afraid that | shall grow vain; tell me
did you miss me?'
t.More than | thought | should mis-,
you," she answered And your,
a." he replied. Il will tell you; Lon
don looked very bright and full OF life
4 saw many friends and many friendl,
faces, but | was so anxious to be bacl
here with you did not stop to exchaug
one word except with the solicitor | wen
20 meet Do you know what this is
31Ru Ols
She made no answer. The golden morn
hng light quivered on the leaves and 4
ahe water OF the brook: little bird fror
the alder tree sang sweetly. He bent hi
dark, handsome face over hers, as h
whispered;
sIreDe, does not your own heart viii.
Der to you what this means? VIII
should miss you? Why should 70
lnlss hoef" ...
because we are friends she al
swered, gently. .
~No not that; We are now in the Ian
where friends never stand; the light, m
darling, that never shone on land or SCI
shines for us, the golden gate of the gol
seu land opens to us; there can be no z
ing back to the calm regions OF frien,
ship. Irene, my darling. look up at m
de not turn that sweet face from me;
Is that we love one another. Oh, n
dazzling. do you hear the words? We lo'
osDe another"
TAe little brook might become a b
a1ssH, and its mighty tide would becon
AZ Riahing before the mightier sweep
hose Rhat rushed through the girls hea
when she heard her lovers words.