The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-08-29

weak. SO pathetically helpless. he
would have appealed less strongly TO
her, che might have resisted better.
She was angry al herself for her lack
pf control, and bitterly mortified, Was
this man her master IN truth? And
he wore another woman's picture!
Shame on her, shame, Could he COM
pei her to break her word, defy every
thing, and marry him against her Will?
All, but was 1t against her will? Thee
was the rub.
She stood helpless before him, The
whole current Of her being flowing to-
ward him, only her stubborn will and
pride holding her back But the strug-
gle could not be maintained for long
He marked the rise and fall of her
breast Her fingers moved restlessly,
her knees trembled, her eyes swan,
| her color came and went The con-
lstraint she VAS under WAS terrible
| The girl loved him with al her soul.
Yet she struggled on; she would not
yield. Twas an unequal combat. She
fought two; his win and her love. The
end was certain, He felt II was almost
cruel as he watched her and knew 1t
would come. All she needed in that
moment to bring her to him was time
He was wise enough nor 10 be hasty
He put equal consraint upon himself:
indeed, his love was no less than her
own
q have only the warrant Of my love
for you to plead my cause" he an
swered at last,
Have you loved me all the timc?"
she cried. coming a step nearer,
Il know moi" he answered honestly
before her truth-compclling gaze but
at least I have loved no one else, ant;
since the night in the tower there
has not been day in which | have
not thought OF you But never in my
widest visions did You appear so beau
tiful as you are to-day Anne, sweet
Anne, Dear little France, Ny heart
knew you, even though my false ewes
told no story to my bowildered mind.
Twas God that brought us together
again. We cannot be separated, my
sweet, my owu!"
But Monsieur dc yitre, ny engage /
ment--"
Il ask You again why it was you en-
tered upon il SO Suddenly"
81 saw hat locket you wear over
your heart, Sir Philip, whose secret |
you guard so jealousy. from which you
will not be parted Your did not know
me- You had forgotten me. 1'hore /
was some one else" SHE nurmured. /
81 cannot marry the enemy Of my /
| should he an outcast, de-
spised You tainted in the hall Of tile
chateau Monsieur de Wire was there. I
When | knet beside you IL looked
at you, monsieur. ! forgot myself--a
little. | betrayed myself nnsoueht-
unknown even. Monsieur de Wire
cried out before them all that | loved
you. The thought stune me-my
pride. you know could not bear it.
There was but one way He had be-
sought me for my hand. ! dared not
rust myself before you unpledgcd
they looked at me so earnestly. II
was foretaste of what | should meet
stopped every gossipng tongue,
;tifled every suspicion by saying Yes |
o my brave countryman. II do not
'egret it,"
She forced herself to lift her head
md look at him white-faced and trem-
ling His bold, burning glauces
plunged through her delenses like a
Nv blade.
This from the truthful de Rohanw
Ie murmured coldly. but with a breal.-
ng heart IF you looked at me dying
hen-and perhaps dying now az r. {
hat word-if you looked at me rhsn {
S you look at me this moment. mere
we're no ground for de Wires suspi
ion. Is this your fdelityl Go. You
ave not-you do not love me.
She buried her face in her hands
eneath his stern accusing gazc-lSa
approaches scared her heart. She haa :
ot told the truth TO him
Go. mademoisellei" he continued. !
ruthlcssly turning the
feapon he had thrust into her hear.
The other nisht-does my IMAGINE n
ion mock me or did dream OF !
Ieayen. of yonr kisses? Were the lips
hat now betray those that met my :
wn? Was it that sweet head that lar /,
pom my breast? Was IL all a visions
Nd | ever live for an hour with yen
\ that old dark tower by the sCaf
Vas ! indeed the knight of that zen. ,
IL child who wrapped herself sroand
~ heart? on Wcen. nademuse. le.
Thy? Happiness opens before you.
on arc the betrothod OF de Wire
No more she cried. tearing her
ands from her face aud sprineng To-
ard him. She seized his arm and
nwounded shoulder with r. grasp thGt
as painful in it's intensity. NO
ore! No more. You torture ne be-
md endurance. TITS no dream.
We you. adore you, my King. my
ngl What are country. and grand
ther. and friends. and OH Dc world
me beside youi'
She bent her glorious head once
ore and kissed him as she had kissed
m in the moonlight two nights be-
re. Had he wong This time he did
l.. r.