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

tnOuEn 1 WdSy 1 retneIlDer HIS pussion
of grief when the news came that you
had lost your life. He has never for.
gotten you. So often nov he will still
speak Of you! He is in your camp.
We are travelling together. He will be
here this evening. What delight 1t Will
give him to know his dearest friend Is
living! But why-why have you kept
him Ignorant II you were lost to all the
world beside?"
Still he answered her nothing. The
truth he could not tell, the lie he would
not. She paused. waiting reply. Re
ceiying none. she spoke nee more, her
words full of that exquisite ~softness:
"Mf. Cecil, l OWNED rightly. I felt
that In all things save IN some acci-
dent of position we were equals. But
why have you condemned yourself to
this misery? Your life Is brave, Is no.
bic. but 1t must be a constant torture
to such as you."
leave my life alone. for Gods
sake!" he said ~passlonately. "Tell me
Of your own-tell me. above all. of his.
He loved me. you say? Oh, heaven. he
did. better than any creature that evet
breathed saw the man whose grave
lies yonder!"
"He does so STILL" she answered ca
gerly. phillips is not a heart that for
gets. 1t is a heart Of gold. and the
name of his earliest friend Is craven on
1t as deeply now as ever. He thinks
you dead. Tonight will be the happiest
hour he has ever known when he shall
meet you here.
why do you not answer meT' she
pursued. while she leaned nearer with
wonder and doubt and n certain awak-
ening dread shadowing the blue luster
of her eyes. that were bent so thought
fully. SO searchingly upon him. rs 1t
possible that you have heard of your
Inheritance. of your title and estates.
and that you voluntarily remain a sol
der here? Lord RoyallIeu must yield
them In the instant you prove your
identity. and in that there could be ne
difficulty. l remember you well now.
and Philip. l am certain. will only need
10 see you once to-
"Hush. for PHYS sake. Have you
never heard-has hone eve told you
"What?'
He turned from her so that she could
not see his face.
THAT. when | became dead to the
world. | died with the taint of crifue
on mel"
'Of crlme"
81 was accused Of having forged
your brothers name"
A faint cry escaped her. Her lips
grew white. and her eyes darkeneti
and dilated.
Accused! But wrongfully?"
His breath came and went Id quick.
sharp spasms.
II could not prove that"
mot prove it? whyg"
II could not"
"But he-Philip-never believed you
guilty."
81 cannot tell. he may. lie must"
"But you are not"
1t was not an Interrogation, but an
affirmation that rang out Ia the silver
clearness Of her voice.
You are guiltless. whatever circum-
may have arrayed against you.
shadow Of evil may have
fallen falsely on you. Is it not so?"
His head bowed low over her hands
be tool them. In that moment half
the bitterness of his doom passed from
him. He had at least her faith. He
lifted his head and looked her full In
the eyes. Her W closed involun-
tarily and filed with tears. She felt
that the despair and the patience of
that look would haunt her until her
dying day.
II was guiltless, but none could
credit It then. none would do so nov
Nor can | seek to make them. Ask me
no more. Give me your belief II you
can God knows what precious mercy
It Is to me. but leave me to fulfil my
fate and tell no living creature what /:
have told you now"
The great tears stood in her eyes and
blinded her as she heard.
TEL no one!" she echoed. what!
Not Philip even-not your oldest friendi
All. he sure, whatever the evidence
might be against you. his heart never
condemned you for n instant"
Il believe 1t. Yet all you can do for
me. all | implore you to do for me. is tc
keep silence forever on my name. To-
day accident has made me break r
vow | never thought but 10 keep sa.