Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-04-12
CHAPTER xxII1.-tContinuedJ

"Oh, my vengeance. My vengeance.
1t has stained my hands with the hearts
blood of the man I once loved so dearly!'
Her brain burned; her head seemed to
be on FIRE. The night wind was cool and
soothing to her. She bowed her head
against the window fran. and thought
Of him. The leaves of the roses. the
sprays of the passion hower which en-.
circled the window touched her face ana
her hair. She was thinking of him.
thinking of their first meeting at the
brook side, and the handsome. eager face
which had looked at hcr there, OF the
sunny mornings and the dcwy evenings
when she had wandered with nm
through shady woods and green lanes; or
her so-called marriage day. with its de-
lirium of love; of the happy months she
had spent with him. and then of the ira
gedy at Beechgrove, where he had told
her she was not his wife
Oh. dark, handsome face. lying up
raised with the damp of death upon 1t;
never more would its comcliness and
beauty lead anyone to love. The moon
light seemed to speak to her of the times
she had rested her head on his breast
oh. ia Sc and cruel love that had slain
her.
She heard the great clock ut the stables
ring out one. One" She knew how
the moonbeams fell. and she could. in inn
agination. hear the faint, hoarsc cry for
help.
1.-TWO" and he still lay dying in the
wood; the moon was at its brightest, and
rode with Queenly grace In the sky. The
ferns would be shining with dew, and the
grass wet with 1t. The wind had fallen
and sighed as 1t shivercd through the
leaves.
Three o'clock. He had lain there an
other hour-an hour which she had spent
In steadfast watching and he had spent
In crying for help. and trying to crawl
even one inch on the ground. -Four O'Clock
struck. And the strokes fell. one by one.
like strokes Of doom on the quivering air.
Five o'clock. Oh, heaven. how long
the night was! how the weary hours
dragged! 1t seemed to her that she had
been there for weeks. The moonlight
had changed with the golden light of the
morn. She knew just how the birds were
singing In the trees around him. pceping
from between the branches with bright
eyes. The wild flowers would shrink
with horror from the object that lay
there, and he, hearing the songs of the
birds, would perhaps remember the time
when he had been good and stainless.
Six. All nature seemed awake. She
could hear the lowing of the cattle in
the meadows, and the chorus Of the birds
In the trees. The air was fresh and
sweet. The flowers all awakened to an
other day Of sweet autumn bliss. And
he-would he close his eyes with weari-
ness and pain. or would they wear that
tired, worn expression that was like the
shadow Of pain?
Seven o'clock struck. and she shivcrcj
as with mortal cold; her eyes burned.
and she longed for rest. She thought Of
the noble. beautiful German lady who
watched the whole night through while
the man she loved was broken on the
wheel.
She was taking her just revenge, she
said to herself; and yet she could not
have rested her head for one moment IN
the white pillows; she could not have
slept while he lay dying so near.
Eight o'clock, aud the busy household
began to stir. Was he living Or dead
Soon as she could she would go TO him
All, there was the voice of Lady Est.
mere, asking to be admitted.
Carefully opening her door, the duchess
took Lady Estmere's hand and led hel
back to her own room.
II will come with YOU" she said. "You
look very III. You should not have risen
What Is the matter?'
When they were In Lady Estmere',
room she threw her arms round the state
ly figure of the duchess. aud laid hel
head on her neck.
BE kind to me-" she said. wistfully
IL am very III and very unhappy. Sil
Hubert has not returned yet; and l an
quite ut loss what to do"
No; nor would he ever return; for hi,
struggle must have cbbcd away with hi
life blood. She might surely say SON,
words Of comfort to this weeping woman
whose beautiful head would never NOR,
rest Oh her husbands breast.
"The duke sent the keepers last nigh
to Durnton, and they have been at worl
all night, but they could find no trace
Of him."
Irene, touched to the very heart b.!
the sad face and pathetic voice, ben
down and kissed her.
III knew what to say, my dear,
would say It; but do not. You must g
to my husband"
"You are sorry for me?" said Lad.
Estmere.
EYES," said the duchess, with suddel
aush aud sudden trembling. Eyes. ! an
sorry for YOU"
She FASTENED back to her own room an
was soon dressed In the most eXQuisit
taste. As she stood before the miro
watching Marcia arrange the rich lace
and beautiful folds Of her morning dress
she said to herself, over and over again
HE Is dying now; aud one word frOr
me might save him; one word, only on
word, and they would fly to him; the
would raise him aud pour wine betwee
his lips; they would carry him home ON
litter; they would surround him with low
and care; they would send for the mos
clever doctors; they would spare no pain
to restore him. His wife would devOt
herself to him; she would nurse him
night and by day, and he would be =
grateful to her she would love hiI
d0ubly. All, 10, this one word ! wi
never speak. He tried to kill my fal
name, my innocent soul-let him die"
At the breakfast table all the face
were much graver and great anxiety wa
expressed when 1t was known that 81
Hubert had not been heard of-evidentl
there was something more serious tina
. love adventure. But looking at tn
pale, distressed face Of his young wifi
they would not give expression to an
of the doubts they felt. 1t would
all right; they would hear Of him by noOl
they said.
III