The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1906-11-29

you nave Deen generosity Itself,
Sir Richard" my lady was saying (for
1t was the Lady Alice herself); the
debt 10 . Is common for us all: 1t
will lie heavily upon my fathers
and upon mine. We can
never repay, do what we will"
Sir Richards eyes shone softer in a
ray OF moonlight that pierced
the hedge. Every word that she spoke
was like music in his ears.
mo debt is there when the task is
of a mans own seeking, Alice, | told
you six months ago that our poet,
Pope, was right when he said that the
greatest study of mankind is man. |
have studied men all my life. Your
brother Harry was but a human addi-
ton 70 my library. | found the pages
blurred and almost undecipherable;
but | read them, nevertheless. Here
was a fellow creature who had wsn-
dered upon all roads for want of a
.signpost- l began by asking him to
rest a little while in my house;
showed the pages of life and the pic
lures that were to be painted upon
them by a mans will and by his in
dustry. 1 tempted him to begin and
TO find excitement in the pursuit
When the old gypsy inclination called
him away, | IA patient, not angry.
He would come back, l said. Time
justified me, and the months have
cleaned the blades of my harvest. To-
night Harry Is waiting at Ashford hall
for me. My work is done, Alice. |
need no mans thanks for a little pa
thence and kindness that have been
their own reward. They nave given
me this opportunity to speak with her
to whom | may never speak again un-
til the end of my days"
The Lady Alice made no reply, but
she turned away her head. Perhaps
there was something in her pretty eyes
which she did not wish him to find.
You are leaving England, Sir Rich
ard?" she asked anew, with her head
still averted from him. The tone of her
voice ryerved him to speak of it.
"A mans country is dear to him only
when ii, gives him that which his heart
desires. If / leave England, Alice. +
will be because | no longer may hope
here. If / go, it will be because there
is one at Brede who would visit The
sins OF the son upon the daughter. l
say it only to ask your forgiveness;
there is a duty which is above love;
let me speak no i'll of your father"
And, as they stood together, believ-
ing this to be the hour of their fare
well, suddenly the alarm bell rang
o,A Fry., tha aoc41a onl o1rnnct OF ina
same instant they heard a mans voice.
MY lord is dying!' he cried to them;
"the Lady Alice has left him!"
you must go to him." said Richard
quietly. Though his heart was beating
fast, his wit was less sure than my
lady's at such a moment.
Richard, you shall take me" she
whispered, refusing to release his
hand.
He kissed her gently.
"You are right" he said, that is
wise, lear one; we will go together"
When they entered the courtyard
they found the servant beside himself.
HE walked from a ream and asked
for your ladyship," he said to the Lady
Alice. She pushed him aside; and
still holding Sir Richards hand, she
led the way to the great bedroom
where, upon a couch by the window
they. found the lord of the castle lying
pale and insensible.
He had walked from a troubled
dream, as old Martin said, and, in VIC.
lent agitation, had insisted upon his
[ daughters being summoned to him
forthwith. When they searched fol
her and found her gone, the truth was
; told tc him.
. "She is not here, my lord" they
| said; land this night Tom Forsyth
came up from the inn to speak of
stranger there" And, to their won
der. this master of the oath and tn,
madman's anger spoke no word II
them; but, shrinking away as o n
robbed suddenly of his reason, hid hi,
face end cried: "She was all that
had; God Of heaven, forgive!" Ant
then re had fallen prone and they haC
, laid him upon the couch,
Thus the Lady Alice found him, ant
almost with the touch of her hand m,
lord Ioused and recognized her. HI
: gave q cry of joy and, raising himsel
feebly upon the pillow, put his arm
} about her and held her to his heart.
Thou, Alice! they have not takel
thee, them"
/ 81 am here, dear father; they shall
, never take me from you"
There is another. Who is it stand
there, Alice? Does Harry come to me
them"
: 1T is not Harry, father; look again.
"Sir Richard Hardinge-ah. | nigh
y have Eamed him. Where, then, is m,
SOM"
d Sir Richard stepped forward and an
g swered for them both: 'In M house
a earl, waiting for the message whicl
will bring him to your side again. Al
G is we'll with him."
! Silence fell upon the room, a silenc
h restful and satisfying. When the ear
newt onoka ~ was IN the dauRhtp