Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-07-03
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAIIER ANl.
As Stephen has not put in an appear
nee at the Court now for fully two days,
population is rife as to what has become
( him.
ale was at the lake yesterday" says
'ortia. "He came up to us from the
1uthcrn end Of it"
At this both Dulce and Roger start, and
he former changes color visibly.
ri really wonder where lie can be, says
liza.
so do l." murmurs Dulce, family, hut
ktinctly, feeling she is in duty bound to
something. stephen never used 10
IS day
Here | am, if you want me-" says
tdphen, coming leisurely up to them
.ob behind the laurels. Il thought
cdrd somebody mention my name"
lie is looking pale and haggard, and
kogether unlike the languid, Unconditional
pphcn Of month ago. There are dark
cles under his eyes, and his mouth
kks strangely compressed, and full OF
unpleasant amount Of determination.
mentioned it," says Dulce. She is
PEELED to say tins, because he has
his eyes upon her, and plainly every
expects her to reply to him.
bid you want meT' asks he, casting
inizing glance upon her. So absorbed
in his contemplation Of her that he
positively forgotten the fact that he
omitted to bid any one fair good
ow."
:, was certainly wondering where you
!" says Duice. eyasively. She is
tened and subdued--she scarcely
rs why. There is something peculiar
IS manner that overawes her.
is very good of you to remember
existence. Then you were only
|ering at my absence? You did not
meT
ce makes no reply. She would have
anything to be able to make some
commonplace rejo!ndcr, but at this
mt her wits cruelty desert her.
see. Never mind" says Stephen.
ceen if you don't want me, do
you-yOu will come with me as far
BeecheS"
tone is more O command than a
bn. Hearing it, Roger moves in
arily a step forward, that brings
Parer to Dulce. He even puts out
nd as though to lay it upon her
hen Stephen, by gesture, checks
~, be alarmed" he says, with
low, she firing laugh, every vestise OF
color 60 lie from his face. 81 shall do
her no lsrm. shan't murder her. l
give you Imy word. Be comfOrted, she
will be lutte as safe with me as she
could ev,n be with-you."
He laughs again, dismisses Roger from
his thoghts by an indescribable motion
of his land, and once more concentrates
his attation upon the girl near him, who,
wits lo:ercd eyes and pale, distressed
face, isvaiting unwillingly for what he
may So next. Stephen leads her in
silence nd with brow dark as Erebus
up the raveled path, and past the chilly
fountai, and thus out of sight.
To sa. Miss Blount is feeling nervous
would hsaying very little. She is look
Ing crused in anticipation by the weight
of the tlnderbolt she knows is about TO
fall. Iesently it descends, and once
down, sh acknowledges to herself it was
only a sick after all, worse in the fancy
than in lie reality; as are most Of our
daily feS.
$50 VI wish our engagement at an
end?" US Stephen, quite calmly, in n
tone tn might almost be termed me-
chanica
He WITS remorselessly for an answer
"I-y'-I didn't tell you So" STAN
mers Dce.
"No pvaricatiOns, please. There has
been q'c enough deception of late"
Dulce ks at him curiously. LET us
adhere the plain truth now at least.
This is wv the case stands. You never
loved mi and now your cousin has re-
find you do love him, that
>Er professions of hatred to-
$50 much air-or. let
even q small
life. Is not
= i"''
say, shu eA
~ ms Du,
'p":ny: , "n"
suy unjust