Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-17

chord In my heart Perhaps I had mis-
judged her; perhaps 1 had attributed to
Alas! wherever mystery exists, little char
ity enters mans heart Jealousy dries up
the milk Of human kindness.
Dearest" 1 said, rising and taking her
slim white hand tina lay in her lap, "in
this hour of your distress you have at least
one person who would console and comfort
youVone man who loves you"
She raised her eyes to mine quickly, with
though she did not fully realize the purport
of my words. 1 knew myself to be sad
blunderer In the art of love, and wondered
if my words were too blunt and abrupt.
"Ah!' she sighed. "If only I believed
| that those words came direct from your
heart, Ralph"
''They do" I assured her. you received
my letter at Hereford-you read what ]
| wrote to you?"
Eyes" she answered IT read 1t. But
how can believe In you further, after your
| unaccountable treatment? You forsook me
without giving any reason. You can't deny
that"
IT don't seek to deny IT," said. ION the
| contrary. 1 accept all the blame that may
attach to me. 1 only ask your forgiveness -
| and bending to her in deep earnestness,
pressed the small hand that was within my
grasp
But II you loved me. as you declare you
have always done, why did you desert me
! in that manner" she inquired, her large
I hesitated. Should 1 tell her the truth
| openly and honestly?
Because of fact which came to nv
knowledge" / answered, after long pause
What fact?" she asked with some anx-
iety. .
ously.
Regarding me?"
Eyes, regarding yourself replied, with
my eyes fixed full upon hers l saw that
she started at my words, her countenance
fell, and she caught her breath quickly.
well, tell me what 1t is" she asked, In
she had steeled herself for the worst.
Forgive me If I speak the truth" ex-
claimed. you have asked me, and 1 will
be perfectly frank with you Well. dis
covered among old Mr.. Courtenay's papers
a letter written by you several years ago
which revealed the truth"
THE TRUTH she gasped, her face blanch-
! ed in an instant. 1.-THE truth of what?'
That you were once engaged to become
| his wife,
Her breast heaved quickly, and 7 saw
that my words had relieved her of some
grave apprehension. When declared that
l knew the truth" she believed that I
| spoke of the secret of Courtenay's ma nue-
! radng. The fact of her previous engage
| ment was. to her. of only secondary i'm
| portance for she replied:
! well, and is that the sole cause Of Won,
| displeasure?" Jun
| I felt assured from the feigned fippancy
| OF her words that she held knowledge al
| that strange secret.
| 1T was the main cause" I said "You
| concealed the truth from me- and lived IN
| that mans house after he had married
| Mary" 'e0
Il had reason for doing so.' she ex
| claimed in a quiet voice. II did NOT liv.
| there by preference"
You were surely not forced to do sop
| mo. l was not forced. 1t was a duty :,
| Then, after a pause, she covered her ia cf
| with her hands and suddenly burst into
| tears, crying, "Ah Ralph! If Won coulG
| know all-all that 1 have suffered yor
would not think Ill of me! Appearance.
| have been against me, that I know quite
| well. The discovery Of that letter mus
| have convinced you that was a scheme]
| and unworthy and the fact that l lived be
| meath the roof of the man who had cas-
me off added color to the theory that hat
| conceived some deep plot Probably" sh,
went on. speaking between her sobs, prob
ably you even suspected me of having hat
a hand in the terrible crime Tell m,
frankly" she asked gripping my arm, an,
looking up into my face. did you eve
suspect me Of being the assassin
1 paused. What could reply? Surely |
was best to be open and straightforward
So told her that had not been alone IL
suspicion, and that Amber Jevons hat
shared 1t with me.
( "Ah! that accounts for his marvellous in
genuity In watching me-. For weeks pas
he has seemed to be constantly near me
making inquiries regarding my movement
wherever I went. You both suspected me
But Is 1t necessary that should assert m,
innocence Of such deed7' she asked. "Ar
you not now convinced that It was not m,