The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-07-23

course Of her life. She saw him again
as he struck prompt to defend her
honor in the hall. resenting q ruffian's
soiling hand stretched out to her. She
saw him lying wounded and senseless
there ut her feet. She saw him stretch
ed prone on that shattered deck on that
ruined ship. pale. blood stained. sense
less again. again unheeding her bitter
cry. She W uld have called once more
upon him save that she knew humanity
has no voice which reaches out into the
darkness by which it may call back
those who are once gone to live beyond.
She did not weep: that were a small
thing. a trifle. She SIT and broo1ed.
-Four short months had changed 1t
all. How young she had been. Would
she ever be young again? How full of
the joy Of life! Its currents swept by
her unlleeded now. Why bad not God
been merciful to Ter that she could
lave died there upon the sea? she
thought. All. poor humanity never
learns his mercy! Perhaps 1t is be
cause we have no measure by which to
fathom it's mighty depths. She saw
herself old and lonely. forgotten. but
not forgetting. But even then lacked
she moi opportunity. Womanlike. in
spite of her consistency. she took a mel
ancholy pleasure in the thought that
there WAS one still who hungered for
tie shattered remnants of her broken
heart. who lived for the sound Of her
uAi.A onJ I N ofa fa Of tnr aNno on6
the light of her face. One there was,
handsome. crave distinguished. gentle.
of ancient iame. assured station. am
pie fortune who longed to lay all he
was or had ut her feet
But what were these things? Moth
ing to her-nothing, There was but
one. AS she had said on the ship to
Desborough. Il love a sailor. You are
not he" And yet her soul was filed
with pity for the gallant gentleman,
and she thought of him tenderly. with
deep affection.
Presently she heard quick footsteps
on the floor of the b%oathouse. and. turn
ing her head. she saw him. He held n
letter. an official packet. with the seal
open IN his nanu.
"Oh. Miss Wilton. you here?' he said.
Il have looked everywhere fer you.
Do you not think the evening air grows
chill? Is ii not too cold for you ont
here in the boathouse? Allow me-"
And then. with that gentle solicitude
which women prize. lie lifted the neg
iected cloak and tenderly wrapped it
shout her shoulders.
Thank you" she said gratefully.
family smiling up at him. but | hardly
need 1t. | do not feel at all cold. The air
Is so pleasant. and the sun is not yet
set. you sec. Did you wish to see me
about anything special, Lord Desbor-
ough?"
"No-yes-that is Oh, Mistress
Katharine. the one special want of my
life is to see you always and every
where. You know that. Nay. never
lift your hand. l remember. | will
try not to trespass upon your orders
again. ! came TO tell you that-I am
going away"
Going away" she repeated sadly.
"Has your exchange been made?"
"Yes; n courier came to the Hall a
short time ago. and here it is. My or
ders. you see. | must leave at once"
II am sorry-indeed ~sorry-that you
must go"
He started suddenly as if to speak. a
little flash of hope tickering in his de-
spondent face. but she continued quick
ly:
1T has been very pleasant for us to
have you here. except that you have
been a prisoner. But now you will be
free. and for that. of course. | rejoice.
But | have SO few friends left she
went on ~mournfully. Il am loath to see
one depart, even though he be an en-
envy"
"Oh. do not call me an enemy. | en-
treat you. katharine. oh. let me speak
just once again." he interrupted with
his usual impetuosity. land talk not TO
me of freedoml While the alrth holds
you | am not free; aye. even should
heaven claim you ! still am bound.
All the days of my captivity here |
have been Il most willing and happy
lioouCI Noui piiSuHti. huAS ioOnVu
forward with dread and anguish to the
day when | might be exchanged and
have to go away. Here would ! have
been content to pass my life. by your
side. oh. once again let me plead. My
duty. my honor. call me now to the
service of my king. | no longer have
excuse for delay. but you have almost
made me forget there was n king. Nov
that | must go. why should | 20 alone
he went on eagerly. II know. | know
you love the-the other; but he is gone
You do no hate me; you even like me.
You regret my going. Perhaps as days
go by you Will regret 1t more. We are
at least friends; let me take care of you
In future. oh. ii kills me to see you so
white and Indifferent to life and all
that 1t has or should have for YOU!