The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1903-07-02

have been. l was innocent. But IN
honor | must bear the yoke that l took
on me long ago; In honor / a never
give you or any living soul the proof
that this crime was not mine. l thought
that I should go to my grave without
any ever hearing Of the years that I
have passed In Africa, without any
ever learning the name I used to bear.
As 1t Is, all l can ask Is n0w=to be for
gotten"
"You ask what will NOT be mine to
give" she answered him. while a great
WEAKNESS stole through her own
words. for she was bewildered and
panied and oppressed with a new,
strange sense of helplessness before
this mans nameless suffering. RE
member. l knew you SO well In my
earliest years. and you are SO dear to
the one dearest to me. 1t will not be
possible to forget such a meeting as
this. Silence. Of course. you can CON-
mand from me II you insist on Il,
but
81 command nothing from you, but ]
implore 1t. 1t is the sole mercy you
can show. Never, for Gods sake,
speak of me to your brother or to
mine.'
But why? If all this could be clear.
ed"-
ut never al be-"
The baf1ed sense of impotence
against the granite wall of some I'M
movable calamity which she had felt
before came on her.
Lord Royallieu." she said softly at
length. while she rose and moved to-
ward him. why look at me SOP she
pursued ere be could speak. Act how
you will. you cannot change the fact
that you are the bearer of your IA
TIERS title. So long as you live -four
brother Berkeley can never take It
legally. You may be a thasseur Of the
African army. but none the less are
you a peer of England"
what matters that?" he muttered.
"Why tell me that? l have said | am
dead. Leave me buried here and let
him enjoy what he may. what be can"
But this is folly, madness
mo: 1t Is neither. have told you
1 should stand as a felon in the eyes
of the English law. | should have no
civil rights. The greatest mercy fate
can show me Is to let me remain for
gotten here. 1t will not be long, most
likely. before | am thrust into the At
iican sand to rot like that brave soul
out yonder. Berkeley will be the law
full holder of the title then. Leave him
in pence and possession now"
She stood close beside him and gazed
once more full in his eyes. while the
sweet. lmperious cadence of her voice
answered him:
There ls more than | know of here.
Either you are the greatest mailman
or tie most generous man that ever
hired. You choose to guard your W
secret. ! will not seek to persuade 1t
from you. But tell me thlng-why
do you thus ALLURE your rights. permit
a false charge 10 rest on you and con-
sign yourself forever to this cruel ag-
ony?"
His lips shook under his beard as hi
answered her:
because | al do no less In honor.
For Gods sake. do not you temp me!'
4 quick. deep sigh escaped her az
she heard. her face grew very pale. as
It had done before, and she moved
slightly from him.
Forgive me-" she said after a lhng
pause. II will never ask you thai
again."
Heavy Us had been the curse 10 him
Of that one hour In which honor lai
forbade him TO compromise n woman's
reputation and old tenderness had for
bade him to betray a brothers sin. he
he'd never paid so heavy a price for bis
act as that which he paid now.
Through the yellow sunlight without.
over the barren dust strcwn plains. IN
the distance there approached three rid
ers, accompanied by a small esrosi of
s2ahis. she started and turned TO him:
1T is Philip. I,e is coming for ne
from your camp today"
His eyes strained through the sun
glare.
"Ah. God, ! cannot meet him. |
ha VI not strength. You do not know
Il know how well he loved you"
Not better than | him! But | can. |
not. | dare not. Unless ! could meet
him as we never shall meet upon earth
we must be apart forever. For heav-
ems sake promise me never to speak
my manner
II promise until you relense me-"
And you can believe me innocent
still in face of allY"
She stretched her hands to him once
more. Il believe. for | know what you
once we're"
Great burning tears fell from his
eyes upon her hands "a he bent over
them:
God bless you! You were an angel
Of pity TO me in your childhood. In
your w~omanhood you give me the only
mercy | have known since the last day
you looked upon my facet We shall be
far sundered forever. May l come to
you once moref"
She paused In hesitation and Id
thought awhile. while for the first time
In all Lcr years a tremulous tenderness
passed over her face. She felt an IN
utterable pity for this man and for hIs
.111.x IT,. H. <l~1., ~. k.-J- -.-kr..