Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1905-12-09
CHAPTER XIX.

IL was IL CLOCK when Isabel woke;
end It was u when she sat down to make
eome pretcnse Of eating the egg and toast
which Mrs. Jeffson set before her. The
good woman regarded her young mistress
with grave countenance, and Mrs. Gil.
bert shrank ncrvOusly from that honest
gaze.
She was not to meet him until 3
o'clock In the afternoon. and 1t was now
only little after II; but she could not
stay In the house. A terrible fever and
restlessncss had taken possession of her
lately. Had not her life been altogether
one long fever since Roland Iansdell's
advent? She looked back, and remcm.
bered that she had lived once, and had
been decently contcnted. In utter ignor-
ancc Of this splendid beings existence.
She took out her watch every now
and then, always to be disappointed ut
the slow progress Of the time: but ut
last-nt last-just as q sudden CLEAN
Of sunshine lighted the water fall aud
hlckered upon the winding pathway. a
distant church clock struck 3, and the
master Of Mordred Priory pushed open
4 little gate and came In and out among
the moss.grown trunks Of the bare elms.
In the next minute he was on the bridge;
In the next moment, as 1t seemed, he was
seated by Isnbel's side and had taken her
passive hand In his.
Mrs. Gilbert looked up sadly and
shrinkingly at Roland's face. aud saw
that It was flushed and radiant. There
was just the faintest expression Of ner.
vous hesitation about his mouth; but his
dark eyes sh0ne with res0lute glance,
and seemed more definite In color than
Isabel had ever seen them yet.
my darling" he said, Il am very
punctual, am ! notY ! did not think you
would be here before me. You can never
guess how much ! have thought Of our
meeting to-day, lsabel-seriously. SOL
EMMY even. lxxle, ! want you to an.
Swer a serious question to-day, and all
the happiness Of my future life depends
upon your answer"
'Mr. Lansdell!'
She looked up at him-very much
frightened by his manner, but with her
hand still clasping his. The link must
90 soon be broken forever. Only for a
little while longer might she retain that
dear hand In hers. Half an hour more,
and they would DO parted forever aud
ever. The pain Of that thought was
strangely mingled with the delicious Joy
Of being with him. Of hearing from his
iips that she was beloved. What did she
care for Gwendoline now!-cruel. jeal.
GUS Gwendoline. who had insulted her
love.
"Isabel," Roland said. very gravcly,
bending his head to level with hers, as
he spoke, but looking at the ground rath.
or than ut her. 1T IL time that we ended
this farce Of duty and submission to
the world. Mine IL no light love; II II
were, l would have done my duty, aud
stayed away from you forever. have
thought Of your happiness as well as my
own, darling; and ! ask you now to trust
me, and to leave this place forever"
Something like cry Of despair broke
from Isabers lips. "YOu ask me to 70
away with your she exclaimed, looking
at Roland as II she could scarcely be.
lieye the testimony Of her own ears.
"You ask me to leave George. Oh,
Gwendolne only spoke the truth. then.
You don't UNDERSTANDING one under
stands how love you'll!
She had risen as she spoke, and flung
herself passionately against the balus-
trade of the bridge, sObbing bitterly, with
her face hidden by her clasped hands.
"Oh, Roland! Roland! have loved
you so-and could you think that l.
oh, you despise me--you must despise
me very much. and think me very wick
ed, or you would never"
She couldn't say any more, but still
leaned against the bridge, sobDing for
her lost delusion.
Gwendoline had been right, after all
this Is what Isabel thought-and there
had been no PlatOnlsm, no poet-worship
on Roland Lansdell's side; only the vul'
gar. everyday wish to run away with
another mans wife.
rs this acting. Mrs. Gilberti IL this
show Of surprise and indignation little
comedy, which you play when you want
to get rid Of your lOvers2 Am ! to &C
cept my dismissal, and bid you good az
ternoon, and put up patiently with hav'
ing been made the veriest fool that ever
crossed this bridgeY'
"Oh, Roland! cried Isabel, lifting hel
head and looking round piteously al
him. II loved you sol loved you SOL!
"You love me so, and prove your love
by fOoling me with tender looks and
bushes. till ! believe that have. met
the one woman In all the world who
y to make my life happy. o. Isabel