The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-12-09

E&6'SN
 man but himself, who had sworn to be faithful unto death, had proved untrue. He had forgotten Viola-everything- but that he had come there to claim his promised wife, and that he had found instead a woman who had betrayed their love and given her heart to an- other. And for this he had toiled three years in foreign land-for this he had come from the other end of the world!
 Sung by his taunt, the girl looked up, crimson now with indignation.
 Does it count for nothing that I have been honest with you?" she asked f1ercely Docs it count for nothing that have sent the man I care for from me-that l have made this sac rifice in order to keep my promise with you? Oh, am ready to be your wife, ' she continued in a tremulous tone, If you are willing to take me on these l terms. Now that you know, am will- ing to marry you. Keith; but to have come to you and not tell you-ah! I could not wrong you sol could not commit so unforgivable sin!'
 A change stole over his face as he heard her; and now, as her voice trafied off into a, sob, a groan escaped him.
 The memory of Viola came back to him with a rush, and the pain of the blow Annice's confession had given his vanity fled to give place to feel | ing of renlorse.
 Those words of Annice had torn the scales from his eyes, and he saw now the wickedness of the thing he had been about to do.
 Her name broke from him hoarsely. She turned to him and looked at him i through a binding mist of tears.
 "Annice,' he said, extending to her a suppIicating hand, 'it is who have sinned-not you!'
 She listened while he told her all, her fair head bowed, her pale lips quiver. ing with emotion. Then when every thing had been laid bare, she placed her cold hand in his and her eyes, full of pain the depth of which he could neither gauge nor understand, rested on his.
 There is only one thing to do, Keith" she said, steadily, "and that is to say goodbye You love this other woman and IT love another man. There was fate in 1t, dear you can't blame yourself any more than I can blame myself. Love was stronger than both of us! Go, Keith, and be happy-forget that we ever met
 And you, Annice?" he asked, as a strange thrill ran through him, awak- ened, perhaps, by flash of memory in which bygone days had returned to him-the days when she had been all the world to him.
 She looked at him unfalteringly.
 TT shall marry-the other man. she said.
 <
 Squire Graythorne came into the li- brary and stood for a moment watch ing Keith Halliston's handsome figure moving swiftly down the drive. When it had passed out of sight he turned to the girl, who lay face downward on the cushions of the couch
 Well" he questioned. Did that letter speak the truth?"
 "Yes,'' she answered, in a strangLed tone, ''it was all true"
 1 An oath escaped the old mans lips. T hope that you gave the seoundrel his desserts,' he said, suppressing his wrath with an effort. "I hope you told him what we think of a man who plays the traitor to his promised wife"
 T have sent him away" answered Annice, with a sob. "We we have parted forever
 T am very glad to hear it." observed the squire gruffiy. "I was afraid you'd be foolish. know what women are when they care for a man as you cared for him. And now, my girl you must make up your mind to forget all about him. I have been thinking things over. What do you say to trip abroad, eh? I have 4 great belief in other scenes and new faces. Shall we go?" | As he spoke he sat down and put his arms around his motherless child. She sank. weeping into his embrace.
 Yes" she sobbed, "help me to for get, daddy. Take me away and help me to forget. I love him 50! love him sol"
 * *
 An hour later Keith Hallsiton, with \ an exultant look on his clear-cut feat ures and great joy within him, was holding Viola Maine to his heart.
 "so you will be mine after all!' he whispered passionately, his lips on hers. Mine through life! And we may take our happiness unshadowed even by a regret"
 The question lay like lead upon her l mind, unanswered.
 And neither Keith nor the woman he married ever knew that Annice had sacrificed herself that the love of her life might be happy without a regret.--- Philadelphia Telegraph. ,.... ..-