Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-30

| III bnc FAMILY
Before a month had elapsed from the death
Of Overcliffe, Arthur HoIme found himself fight
ing against the dictates of his own heart. His
whole nature cried out for love and he knew
that Lady Agnes loved him. No word of il
had passed between them, no look betrayed it,
and the clasp Of the hand, when they met and
parted, gave no sign of it But some subtle
and underlined instinct told each of them the
truth. If anything, the knowledge made them
over-careful and over reserved In each others
company.
Arthur Holme fought terrible battle with
himself, but he conquered He was strong
man, and in his rough way an honorable man
he knew that Lady Agnes loved him, and he
knew that she would probably be as wax in his
hands and that nothing would keep her from
him If he chose to storm the stronghold OF
her own family pride and her fathers displeasure
But he knew also that TO marry her would be
to drag her from her high estate. And he knew
also that he would take her from Lord Harry
Guy, man who was not only his friend, but
who would be a more suitable husband in every
way for this sensitive, high-born girl.
To break off all connection with the Heather
stones would only mean the loss of Lady Agnes.
And that would be all for her good And so
the yeung man resolved to fly from temptation
Arthur Holme sprung his news on the Heather
stone household at dinner one night. He longed,
SO he said, for breath Of the sea. He had
work to do, work that Lord Heatherstone did
not approve Of but still work that had TO be
done. His heart was with the toilers on the
deep, and he had resolved to take. the Rover
to Yarmouth, and, If possible adjust dispute
between the smack owners and the men which
threatened the livelihood of thousands
Lord Heatherstone received his news with
genuine regret The other guests murmured va
rious commonpaces. Lady Agnes was silent, but
close observer might have noted the tremor
of her hand as she lifted glass Of water to
hnx IIrau A Arfb Jelw ~ Io,o g. I~1I-
at her face He felt the cruelty of this sudden
and public announcement, but he had resolved
that there should be no farewell scene between
them, and that the girl he loved should both
receive the news of his departure in the pres
ence of her family and be finally included in a
formal leave taking.
1t was, therefore, the irony of fate that brought
these two together after they had said good-by
in the presence of dozen other people.
few minutes before midnight Arthur Holme
and Lord Heatherstope sat alone in the smoking
room. The noble Earl was expounding his
views on labor and capital, subject introduced
by Holmes projected visit to the scene of a
great labor dispute. He was man of accurate
memory for unimportant details, and referred
to fifty works that Holme had never heard of
In one case, however, his memory failed him
1t would be better, he said, to refer to the
book He was not quite sure if he had the
book, but he fancied it was in the library. II
~ was III pHc lopSS, IL was IN Secul0n H. S1elf
| Holme rose to his feet 'T will look for it
Lord Heatherstone,' he said, perhaps trif,
YEARLY
| AS he made his way across the hall to the
| library he was surprised to see the door open
and noticed that there was faint glow in the
room, as though single light had been switched
on at the far end of it, He entered o,1ietlv
and his footsteps made no sound on the thick
pile carpet.
He knew that section was halfway down
the side opposite the door, and making his way
round one of the projecting walls of books, he
walked down the centre aisle As he did so,
he heard faint sound at the far end of the
ROOM the sound OF book being replaced in its
shelf.
He walked rapidly past section H and then
paused, for another sound came to his ears. the
hearthreaking sobs of woman, low, stified, but
distinct in the silence. An expression of pain
crossed his face, and he stood irresolute, trem-
bling in every limb; He knew well who it was
| that wept. And then in single moment his
whole being went out to the woman he was
deserving, the woman who loved him. Prudence
honor, the knowledge of what was best for both
of them, were all swept to the four winds OF
| heaven. He clenched his hands in despair. and
strobe rapidylto the end of the room
He purposely made a noise before he came
to the last wing of books, and when he passed
it, Lady Agnes Cliffe was looking diligently at
the shelves as though in search of something
She half turned toward him with faint smile
on her flushed face.
"Mr. Home," she said in surprise, ''what,
ever"
"Your father sent me to find book he broke
in hurriedly, Il wondered who had turned
on the light, r"
"Secton H." she said with laugh. 'eFather
only fayors that particular part of the library
1t is his armory for political purposes This il
| N--pure fiction. My stepmother is i'll and wants
something to send her to sleep"
Helme did not answer, but coming close to
her side glanced at the title of the book she
held in her hand, 1t was "ships That Pass in
the Night" "
"'Ships That Pass in the Night he said slow
ly, and then laughed bitterly She looked IN
at his face and the next moment she was sob
bng in his arms.
But second later she broke away from his
clasp, and bnrying her face in her hands cried
as though her heart would break He came
to her side again.
agnes" he said softly, II implore you, dear
Agnes-oh' what have | done? Don't cry, dear
Again he took her in his arms, and this time
she did not try to free herself from his embrace
But she looked up at him with pleading ewes.
He bent down his face and kissed her tenderv
on the forehead. His whole nature cried out
for the touch of her lips, but he was man enough
to subdue the passion that burned within him.
She looked into his face again, and he saw
the glad light of love shine through the tears
in her eyes, But still she did not speak
"Agnes, dearest" he said in low voice. "I
have something to say to you, and must say
it quickly, | would have left without saying
it, but i must be said now-after what has
happened"
She turned her eyes away from his face, and
he drew her closer to him. He could feel her