Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-06-01


thought; and then through the leafess
trees he saw the terraces and the
pretty balustrade where the great
clusters of passiOn-fOwers grew in
summer-the very spot in which he
had first seen her; and. unless he was
mistaken, she was there now. Yes, he
could see the folds OF a long black
dress on the white stone of the ter
race. he could see one white hand
lying idly on the ledge where the
brown tendrils looked withered and
dead. She was surely there; she had
told him she loved that spot best,
because il was there she had seen
him first. She was looking toward the
house. He would 90 TO her nOiselessly
and take her In his arms; he would
kiss her and say loving words 10 her.
He went quietly up the great white
steps, where the marble statues stood
and the huge vases were filed with
evergreens, round the great clusters
Of almOnd-trees to the corner that
Leah loved best. He smiled TO him.
self. All. he was not mistaken.
A tall, slender figure stood there,
with a black dress trailing on the
steps, a white hand resting on the
balustrade. He could not see her
face or head. for she was looking
toward the house. Should he call her
name? IL he uttered but one word,
she would turn TO him with her face
all bright with glad and happy love.
He would go up TO her and clasp her
in his arms and kiss her, while he
made her guess who he was.
One arm was half round her, and
his dark handsome head bent over her
before he perceived mat the beautiful
masses of hair were OF gold. The
next moment the fair face seemed 10
fash into his own, a cry came from
the pale lips, a great shock over
whelmed them.
There was a terrible moment of
fear and pain, OF bewilderment and
surprise, followed by a deep silence
that was full Of agony. Then family
from him came the name 'Hettie!"-
so TREMENDOUSLY spoken that it was like
a sigh.
"Hettie," he repeated, is it your"
She shrank back with a little vail
ing cry, which seemed TO 90 straight
20 his heart.
Could it be Hettie? Was that the
golden head which had lain for a few
happy minutes on his breast? Was
that the fair pale face which he hal
covered with kisses and tears? Could
Il be the girl whom he had left by the
sea. never TO meet again?
1T Is really Hettie," he said; and he
laid his hand upon hers, as though he
half fancied she would melt into thin
air. Il cannot trust my own eyes.
Speak one word 20 me. Are you
really Hettie Ray?"
He had seen her last in her homely
dress. plainly made OF plain material,
in the midst OF her homely surround
ings. Now she stood arrayed in costly
silk. with great folds OF Grape, with
an air OF distinction and elegance, a
certain subtle change-mOre fair AMI
lovely than ever in his eyes-Hettie
still, tut very different Hettie from
the simply-dressed maiden he had
known at SouthwoOd.
She raised her blue eyes and looked
az him.
do you not know me?" she said
reproachfully. Surely / am Hettie
Ray, just as surely as / am the most
miserable girl in the wide world"
HetIie. Hettie. what brought you
here?" He made no attempt TO caress
her. He drew back from her, and
looked at her with wild, troubled
eyes. What brought you he-e?" he re-
peated- I have tried my best; have
fought a fiercer fight with my heart
than any man ever fought; and now,
when / had begun TO hope for peace,
you rise from the very ground, as it
were before me. Hettie. in Heavens
name, tell me what brings you here?"
The face before him was miserable
enough; there was the very anguish
Of woe in the blue eyes.
DO you not know" she said slowly,
who I ann"
you are Hettie Ray" he replied.
Alas, alas" she cried, wringing
her hands. Il begin TO see now;
begin TO understand. What have /
done that Heaven should punish me
so? What have / done?"
"Hettie," he said. gently, 4 10 not
understand. What is the matter?"
Who are your" she cried. She
stood before him, with her hands
clasped. her pale face raised, hang
ing as II were on the words that were
20 fall from his lips. Who are your"
she repeated. DO not keep me in
suspense. Tell me quickly"
Still no glimmer Of the truth came
% him. He wondered at the intense
anxiety OF her manner.
II forgot" he said; you never
knew my name. I am Sir Basil Carl
ton of Glen"
She repeated the words after him,
her white lips trembling. They
brought no memory TO her.
"Sir Basil CarltOR!" she repeated.