The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-05-29

are sure OF my truthfulness. IL you
doubt all else. You see speak plainly
of what your love is TO me. for al
though by remaining away you made
me fear had been too lavish with my
favors-that is every woman's fear-I
knew in my heart you loved me; that
you could not have done and said what
you did otherwise. Now you see what
faith l have In you. and you n man.
whom a woman's instinct prompts to
doubt. How does IL compare with your
faith in me. a woman, whom all the In
stincts OF n manly nature should dis
pose to trust? IL seems to be an un-
written law that a man may lie TO
woman concerning the most important
thing In life to her and be proud Of IL.
but you see even now I have all faith
In your love for me. else l surely
should not be here. You see trust even
your unspoken word. when IL might.
without much blame TO you. be n spo-
ken lie: yet you do not trust me. who
have no world-given right to speak
falsely about such things. and when
that which I now do Is full OF shame
for me. and what ] have done full OF
guilt. II inspired by aught but the pur-
est truth from my heart of hearts.
Your words mean so much-so much
more. think. than you realize-and
are so cruel I'm turning to evil the high
est. purest impulse woman can feel
the glowing pride I'm self surrender and
the sweet. delightful privilege OF giving
where she loves How can you? How
can you?"
How eloquent she was, II seemed to
me this would have melted the frozen
sea. but think Brandon felt that now
Lis only hope lay in the safeguard OF
his constantly upheld Indignation
When he spoke he ignored all she had
said.
"You did well to employ my Lord Of
Buckingham. 1t will make matters
more interesting when tell you 1t was
he who attacked you and was caught
by the leg under his wounded horse; he
was lame. l am told. for some time aft
erward. 1 had watched him following
you from the gate at Bridewell and at
once recognized him when his mask
fell of during the fight by the wall.
You have done well at every step,
see"
"Oh, God; to think OF 1t, Had i but
knowni Buckingham shall pay for this
with his head; but how could | know?
was but a poor. distracted girl. sure
to make some fatal error. l was in
such agony-your wounds-believe me,
suffered more from them than you
| could Every pain you felt was pang
| for me-and then that awful marriagel
I was being sold like wretched slave
10 that old satyr, to be sioated over
| and feasted upon. No man can know
| the horror of that thought to a woman
to any woman. good or bad. To have
| ones beauty turn to curse her and
make her desirable only-only as well
| fed cattle are priced. No matter how
| great the manifestation of such SO
| called love, il all the more repels a
| woman and adds to her loathing day
by day. Then there was something
| worse than all''-she was almost weep
| ing now-"I might have been able to
bear the thought even OF that hideous
| marriage Others have lived through
the like-but-but after-that-that
day-when you-it seemed that youl
touch was a spark dropped into a heart
full OF finder. which had been lying
there awaiting IL all these years. Ii
that one moment the flame grew so in
tense ! could not withstand IL. My
throat ached: could scarcely breathe
and II seemed that my heart would
Il 81, -.
she took n step toward him with out
stretched arms and said between sobs
II wanted you. you. for my husband
for my husband. aud ! could not beal
the torturing thought or losing you ol
enduring any other man. l could no
give you up after that-it was all to,
late, too late: il had gone too far.
was lost. lostr'
| He sprang to whore she stood lean
ing toward him and caught her to hi
breast
| She held him from her while sh
said: ''Now you know-now you know
that would not have left you in tina
terrible place had known it. No. no
II II had taken my life 10 buy you
freedom"
Il do know: ! do know. Be sure O
that. I know IL aud shall know IL al
ways. whatever happens: nothing ca
change me. will never doubt yo
again. II Is my turn 10 ask forgiveness
now"
"No. no. Just forgive me. That is a
I ask" And Eer head was on his breas
Let US step out into the passagewaI
Edwin" said Jane. and we did. Ther
were times when Jane seemed to be ii
spired.
When We went back into the room
Mary and Brandon We're sitting in I'll
window-way OH his great cloak. The
rose and came TO Us. holding each otl
er's hands. and Mary asked. looking U
to him:
"Shall we tell them?"
"As you like, my lady"
Mary was willing. and looked II
Brandon to speak, so he said, ''Th
lady whom hold by the hand and m.
SELF have promised each other befoi
the good God to be husband and wi
if fortune ever so favor us that it
possible"
mo; that is not it." interrupted NJ
ry. There is no if in 1t. 1t shall
whether it is possible or not. Nothir
shall prevent" At this she kissed JaI
and told her how she loved her, al
gave me her hand. for her love was
, great within her that it overflow,
] upon every one. She, however. alwa.
had n plenitude of love for Jane, an
though she might scold her and appa
> emily misuse her. Jane was as dear
|, a sister and was always sure of b
steadfast, tried and lasting affection.
, After Mary had said there should
no "if'' Brandon replied: