The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-09-05
CHAPTER XXIv.
THREE LOVERS COME TO THE
TOWER.


TTHE ColNtess Anne was seato'
in chair al a table at thu
other side OF the room with
in the oriei window. S.at
was dressed just as she had been wher
she left the dining-room few mo
ments before. she sat with her bacl
toward him and with her face buriet
in her hands, He could see by thf
trembling Of her shoulders that She
was weeping He had made no sound
as he entered and she did not look up
He stood for an instant watching her.
his heart in his gaze Time meant lib
ty--nay. ifs~-to him. yet If the sword
had been at his throat he could not
have refrained from that moment OF
contemplation
How exquisite was her beauty, the
Wsn&eriHg dock of hair curling so ten
herfy about her neck! How he loneed
70 Kiss il He moved a step nearer 10
hor.A nvoIuntarily stretching ont his
hands toward her. Al tie same mo-
ment she lifted her head and looted
atlt into the night through the window
IN the direction Of Canada.
Philip Sir Philip!" she whispered
nitifnlly. So far away"
He took step nearer. II was pain
fully sEll within the room. Perhaps
The heard he beating of his'heart. for
She slowly turned her head and stared
at bin. lie stood before her eyes as
if rooted to the spot
Philip" she mnrmured softly.
doubling her senses, is it a dream?
Am child again. that you stand
here in the old room, in the old tower
where first you loved me- where FIRST
your lips net mine? Phillip"
She rose to her feet and turned
toward him He could not move, she
fascinated him. Philip" she cried
egain. her voice rising in JOY and fer
Nor mingled, rs i indeed you? lelt
you in Quebec How came you here?'
She tottered toward him ia lovely
bewilderment but her strength had
been SO sorely taxed that it now gave
way--she swayed unsteadily and
would have fallen. Another step took
him to her side He clasped her to his
breast strained her to his heart so
tightly that he hurt heras he covered
her surprised face with kisses. She
sam; into his arms. Her head fell up
on his shoulder He felt the snaous,
supple yield Of her slender body as her
hands met around his neck. For She
moment neither spoke. Presently he
turned her lovely face up to his own
again. He looked into her eyes once |
more. Not the blackness of the might /
outside the dark tower was so deep |
and full as they.
20 Philip" she whispered, return
ing Kiss for Kiss. you have come back
10 me. Thank God, you have come
hack 10 me-"
"Y6t you left me in America, Anne
Yon left me without a word How
could you?"
My letter? Did Won not receive III"
LAY, but not woid from your lips
You left mo alone, III, helpless. Bot
there will not rc6roach fol
iowad1Top; | would pave followed you
10 the nj of the earth. Did YOU moi
nav IT.? Did you not dream that
should be here?"
She nodded her head.
81 looked for you. waited for YOU.
knew you would come. my own" she
laying her check upon his
shoulder again with a long sigh OF ut
n content
ne was here, he Was hers. she was
his. he held her close in his strong
rms what more? His clasp was SO
ight. he crushed her SO against his
'reasi. that the diamond cross she
yorc was pressed deep into her tender
'osom. WHAT maitered n? The pain /
vas sweet to her. twas loves brand
fe would never release her now. She
vas his only. Tho weary DAYS Of wait
NJ. the long Yoyage over the stormy
cas- The plans Of her grandfather tho
ores of dc Nitrc-they were forgotten.
ionor faith. obcdionce-he had con.
ucrcd.
Yours. yours only Philip. my dar-
ing yours, yours. yours only" she