The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-06-22

layishly endowed her, never doubling |
that they would prove irresistible.
But her success was far from fat |
tering. After the first few words, die |
tated by common courtesy, Mr.. Dud.
ley seemed scarcely aware Of her pres
ence.
So accustomed was Isabel to homage
and adulation that she inwardly re
sented this as a personal wrong, and
she redonbled the arts and allure
ments that had never been exercised
vainly until now. Not that their OBJ
ject seemed altogether insensible to
them; they We're times when he even
sought her society, causing her heart
to acknowledge the wondrous fasci-
nation, not only in his conversation,
but in every look and tone But she
notieed-with a fierce Jealousy at her
heart of which she had not supposed
herself capable-how easily he could
turn from her to any other, forget
ting, apparently, her very existence.
she could not but know that he took
a strong interest in her, but of what
nature this interest was she tortured
herself vainly TO determine. She often
caught his eyes fixed intently upon
her, a strange, inscrutable look in
them. which made her heart fiutter
with the vague and delightful hopes
to which II gave rise.
Mr.. Dudleys moods were very vari-
| able, to say the least Sometimes he
saw her almost daily, and then absent
ed himself for days at a time; some
times he came into the room where she
was without speaking to or even look
ing at her, and then he was almost
lover like in his looks and manner.
In this way Isabel was kept for
some weeks in state of alternate hope
and fear, thus experiencing the tor
ments she had herself inflicted so often
| and so remorselessly.
Il thought that you did not believe
in loYeY
The two-Isabel and Mr.. Dudley
were alone together, which seldom oc-
CURED.
Isabers heart beat fast; there was
something in the look and tone Of the
speaker that strengthened her hopes
almost TO certainty. She determined
TO bring matters to crisis.
"That was before"-the eyes lifted
to those that were regarding her so
intently, were wondrously bright-"be-
fore ! met you. Maurice"
"And so you do love me, Isabel"
A swift. burning flush swept up over
neck and bosom. even to the temples.
More than life--better than my own
soul!'
The silence that followed fell coldly
on the heart that gave utterance to
this passionate outburst, and the look
which met the questioning glance that
Isabel lifted TO that dark. stern face,
struck more colder still.
But she had goae 200 far to retreat
now.
Even as belleve-as l must believe
you love me-"
"Did l ever say that loved your
Isabel was silent for some moments
; He never had. as she was humblet
and sick at heart 20 remember.
mot in words. perhaps. but there
/ are ways. there are looks, far more
eloquent"
True. But did you never look
love that you did not feel?-tilling th'
cup OF hope and joy to the very brim
and dashing it to earth as it was raiseG
to the eager lipg"
She had done this many, many times
as she well knew But she had NJ
, thought for this now.
"You do love me, Maurice"
Not many men could have resisted
+ that appealing look.
> Taking a locket from his breast Mau
rice Dudley touched the spring, re
vealing a fair young face, almost in
, fantine in it's innocence and beauty.
!, This is all that remains to me o
the only woman l have ever loved
: that ever shall love. If thereare sucl
/ things as angels. she is one now"
, The fierce Jealousy that had take
possession Of Isabers heart was TO
lowed by sense of relief at the cor
/, cluding sentence. She made no effor
to disguise the joy that flashed fror
I the suddenly lifted eyes. ~.
I "DeadT
Murdered And by hands as sof
and white, and beautiful as your
! lady"
Isabel shrank, she scarcely knee
. why. from that burning gaze.
4 "How-how terrible!" she faltered.
4 GAY. it was terrible, as you wi
find. Woman. 1t was you that mui
= dered her."
!. "IY'
d "You. Do you remember Oscar How
> ard. he whom your vile arts drove
4 despair, to madness, to death? He ws
/ her brother, her only brother, an
il when the terrible tidings reached he
II her gentle heart broke. Now, farewell
g Tomorrow, at this time, ] shall
many miles from here"
!, The despair. the agony in Isab
:. Lornes face was something terrib
Z. to look upon.
n "But you will return? Oh. Mauric
q I repent-I repent Do not utter
Il forsake mev'